7 Ways You're Low-Key Getting Rich, According to Humphrey Yang
Building wealth doesn’t always come with big moments or obvious milestones.
According to money expert Humphrey Yang, the practice of building lasting wealth "is slow and is not always visible." These habits and behaviors can point to steady financial progress that will grow over time.
Here are Yang's markers that you're doing better than you think.
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1. Focusing on Long-Term Thinking
Yang told viewers the key concept that makes a person rich later in life is the ability to be a long-term thinker. He added that you have to make sacrifices in the present if you want to have better finances down the road.
Wealth requires a strategy to build good, long-term financial habits. Assess your current finances and cut back on unnecessary expenses, like streaming subscriptions. Also, avoid impulse purchases.
2. Earning More but Not Spending More
When a person receives a raise or promotion, they naturally want to spend more money because they are able, according to Yang. He said that the rate at which a person can save plays a major role in building long-term wealth, and should be the primary focus, even above investment. He challenged viewers to keep their spending the same if they receive a raise, so they will be able to save more.
It's the slow rise in spending that keeps income growth from turning into wealth. One way to avoid spending more after a raise is to base your budget on your previous income. Also, set up automatic transfers so the extra money goes straight into your savings before you can be tempted to spend it.
3. No Car Payment
Yang cites the average new-car payment for the end of 2025 as $767 a month, however in 2026 it's $806 and a new-car lease is $650, as per The Autoplan.
With all that in mind, Yang reminded viewers that not having a car payment means they have quite a lot more disposable income than most people.
"At $700 a month, that could be an extra $8,400 a year to invest instead," Yang said, calculating that it could easily compound into $100,000 a decade later.
However, this isn't the point, surprisingly enough; it's paying out for a rapidly depreciating asset, according to Yang. If you do have a car payment structured mindfully of your finances, this also fulfills his premise.
"The sign that tells me you're doing well," Yang said, "is that you either have no car payment or you understand depreciation really well, and you understand that the car is just transportation from point A to point B."
So go ahead and get that luxury car used, Yang-approved, as long as it's paid off.
4. Living Below Your Means
If you consistently spend less than you earn, you will build your savings over time, eventually giving you financial freedom, Yang said.
Living below your means doesn’t have to be difficult. If you spend purposely, you still can allot money for a few things you enjoy while saving for the future. It doesn't matter how much you make, as long as it's always more than you spend. Yang recommended tracking this gap, and which is greater than the other. If you're always spending below your income, wealth will find you.
5. Valuing Your Time More Than Goods
Yang pointed out that valuing your time in dollar amounts can be a sign you are on the path to quietly building wealth.
You can’t put a monetary value on time. Money might be able to buy you things, but it can’t buy time. Actual experiences or time spent with family and friends making memories is more important than possessions.
6. You’ve Stopped Comparing Yourself to Others
When you don’t care what other people think, you won’t spend money on things you don't need to impress others, Yang said.
Financial comparisons with others can create unhealthy money expectations. Basing your finances on someone else’s choices can lead to shame, impulsive decisions and stress.
"It doesn't actually matter," he said. "If you have been getting secretly wealthy all along, you've probably stopped paying attention to others completely."
7. You Don’t Panic When the Market Drops
Yang said that some people panic when there is a lot of misinformation about the market dropping. He said they tend to make decisions that could have been avoided like selling their investments.
It’s important not to pull out of the market when it drops. Selling stocks when prices are low locks in those losses, making it harder to recover when the market rises later. Have a personalized plan and know what the risk tolerance is for your situation.
He also said that the “quietly rich person” sees a market drop as an opportunity and will buy shares instead of selling.
"Markey volatility is going to happen, and when in doubt, you want to zoom out," Yang said.
There are a couple other signs Yang mentioned, more as indicators of increasing wealth than good practices, but they're inspiring all the same.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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