Quarter-Life Capital

Why Social Media is Killing Young People's Wealth (And How to Fight Back)


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Episode Description

Social media is rewiring young brains to crave instant gratification over long-term wealth building. In this eye-opening conversation, George and Soham dive deep into why frugality has become nearly impossible for today's youth and what it's really costing them.


What We Cover:

The Death of Frugality

  • Why multimillionaires wear the same shoes for 5 days straight
  • How social media creates insecurity-driven spending cycles
  • The psychology behind G-Wagon envy and lifestyle inflation

George's $40K College Mistake

  • His honest confession about leasing an expensive car in college
  • The painful lesson that changed his entire money mindset
  • Why short-term thinking destroys long-term wealth

The Five Types of Wealth Framework

  • Financial, physical, mental, social, and time wealth explained
  • Why most people in their 20s feel "bankrupt" in multiple areas
  • How to identify which wealth type you're neglecting most

Social Media's Hidden Costs

  • How TikTok and Instagram steal more than just your time
  • Why political content polarized both hosts during election season
  • The disappearing "third place" and rise of digital loneliness

The Modern Loneliness Epidemic

  • Why young men aren't approaching women anymore
  • How texting replaced real conversations and in-person connections
  • The death of spontaneous social interactions

Solutions That Actually Work

  • Why your five closest friends determine your financial future
  • The power of in-person business opportunities vs. digital networking
  • Simple habits to break free from the dopamine scroll trap


Key Insights:

💡 "That $10,000 I save today can be $100,000 in 20 years" - The compound interest mindset shift

💡 "You become the average of your three to five closest friends" - Including the influencers you follow

💡 "Boredom kills innovation, but constant dopamine kills genuine connection"

💡 "Every dollar spent on status is a dollar stolen from your future self"


Perfect For:

  • Young professionals struggling with lifestyle inflation
  • Anyone feeling overwhelmed by social media's influence on spending
  • People who want to build real wealth in their 20s and 30s
  • Those seeking authentic connections in a digital world

This episode isn't just about money - it's about reclaiming control over your attention, relationships, and future in an age designed to steal all three.

Follow the podcast:

  • Podcast
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  • Twitter (X)

Follow our co-hosts:

  • George Pu: @thegeorgepu on Twitter (X)
  • Matthew Black:@matthewjablack on Twitter (X).
  • Soham Mehta:LinkedIn, coming soon on Twitter (X)!
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Quarter-Life CapitalBy George Pu, Matthew Black, Soham Mehta