Six-Figure Earners Face 'Illusion of Affluence' Amid Rising Costs, Resorting to Side Hustles and Skipping Meals

By Grok News | December 21, 2025

NEW YORK — Once a symbol of financial security and success, a six-figure income is no longer shielding many Americans from economic anxiety. A new survey reveals that high earners are privately grappling with debt, cutting corners on essentials, and turning to side gigs just to stay afloat—what experts are calling the "illusion of affluence."

According to the Income Paradox Survey conducted by The Harris Poll in November 2025, 64% of Americans earning $100,000 or more annually view their salary not as a milestone of achievement, but as the bare minimum needed to keep up with expenses. Nearly one in three describe themselves as financially "stretched, struggling, or drowning."

"Our data shows that even high earners are financially anxious—they’re living the illusion of affluence while privately juggling credit cards, debt, and survival strategies," said Libby Rodney, chief strategy officer and futurist at The Harris Poll.The survey, which polled over 2,000 U.S. adults including 728 six-figure earners, paints a stark picture of quiet sacrifices behind the facade of prosperity. To make ends meet, respondents reported:

• 61% are engaged in or considering side hustles

• 53% have sold or are considering selling personal items

• 41% are skipping meals

• 41% are renting out part or all of their home

• 38% are turning to debt consolidation or bankruptcy

Other cost-cutting measures include skipping social events to avoid splitting checks (49%), pretending payment apps like Venmo aren't working (48%), and delaying medical care (45%).Groceries, housing, and medical costs topped the list of expenses draining incomes, mirroring struggles faced by lower earners but amplified in high-cost areas where many professionals reside.

The findings help explain trends like increased upper-income shoppers at discount retailers such as Walmart and Dollar Tree. Even those earning $200,000 or more—roughly the top 10% of U.S. households—are resorting to tactics traditionally associated with financial hardship, including using buy-now-pay-later services for small purchases and relying on credit card rewards for essentials.

"The illusion of wealth is exhausting," the report notes. "Many top earners say people assume they can afford it all, yet behind the image of success are quiet sacrifices: skipped purchases, delayed plans, and a fragile sense of security."

Economists warn that if high earners continue pulling back on spending—which drives nearly half of U.S. consumer activity—it could have broader ripple effects on economic growth.

17GEN4.com