The Corvette and the $80,000 Lesson

Have you ever made a money decision that felt right in the moment… only to realize later it pulled you further from your goals?You’re not alone—and you’re likely facing one of the hidden money traps that quietly sabotage even the most well-intentioned wealth-builders.

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Imagine this: You’ve worked hard, saved diligently, and finally have $80,000 sitting in your bank account. Then, one emotional moment later, it’s gone.

Bruce shared this story in a recent episode of our podcast. A client had just finalized a long, draining divorce. She felt raw, exhausted, and ready to reclaim a sense of control. So, she did what many of us have been tempted to do—she bought a brand-new Corvette. The price tag? Almost exactly $80,000. The money she had painstakingly saved evaporated in one moment of emotional relief.

It wasn’t about the car—it was about a deep emotional need. And it revealed something profound about our financial lives: most of us don’t lose wealth because of external threats. We lose it because of hidden money traps—the internal patterns, habits, and blind spots that sabotage us from the inside out.

And the good news? Once you can see these traps, you can avoid them.

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What Are Hidden Money Traps?

If you’re here, chances are you’re trying to build real, lasting wealth. Not just money in the bank, but a legacy. Something that can bless your future self, your children, and even generations to come.

But if you feel like you’re doing everything "right"—saving, investing, budgeting—and still not getting ahead, you may be dealing with hidden money traps.

In this article, I’m going to walk you through the five key traps that Bruce and I discussed on our podcast—traps that even the most disciplined people fall into. Inspired by Nelson Nash’s "human conditions," these traps explain why smart people make poor financial choices, why we sabotage long-term goals for short-term pleasure, and why our mindset matters more than any market movement.

This is more than a list of financial tips. It’s a mirror—and a roadmap. When you understand and overcome these traps, you unlock the power to build wealth with intention, clarity, and confidence.

Let’s dive in.

Parkinson’s Law: You’ll Always Find a Way to Spend It

Parkinson’s Law teaches that expenses rise to match income—and sometimes even exceed it. This law is a hidden money trap that sneaks up quietly. As soon as we get a raise, a bonus, or a windfall, we convince ourselves we "deserve" an upgrade.

Luxury enjoyed once becomes necessity. You buy the car, take the vacation, upgrade your phone. And before you know it, there’s no margin left for building wealth.

The solution? Intentionally save before you spend. Reverse the cultural narrative. Make wealth-building your dopamine hit—not retail therapy. Celebrate a growing savings account. Find pride in discipline, not just desire.

Willie Sutton’s Law: Where There’s Money, There Are Takers

Willie Sutton, a famous bank robber, was once asked why he robbed banks. His answer? “Because that’s where the money is.”

This principle still applies today—but not just to criminals.