News & Trending Money News

If You Can Answer ‘Yes’ to These 8 Questions You’re Wealthier Than You Think

You might not need to be as stressed about your finances as you think.

By Michelle Smith , Edited by Laura Ratliff

Updated Aug. 21, 2026

Add Us On Google

Worrying about finances is a natural part of everyday life, but it's hard to know if you're overreacting when you only know what's in your wallet and not how it compares to your peers.

Are you drastically behind everyone else? Should you be panicking, saving to get ahead financially, and worrying more than you already are — or are things a little better than they seem?

Below, we've compiled a list of questions you can ask yourself to determine if you're doing better financially than you think. If you answer yes to most of these questions, breathe a little sigh of relief and relax: Things are far from as dire as you might worry they are.

Set up direct deposit - pocket $400

Set up an eligible direct deposit with SoFi Checking and Savings and you could pocket a bonus of up to $400. Make the switch, set up direct deposit, earn the bonus. It basically takes no extra work at all other than following these steps.

Why people are switching: This account earns up to an insane 4.00% APY¹ Earn up to 4.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on one SoFi Savings account with a 0.90% APY Boost (added to the 3.10% APY as of 5/28/26) for up to 6 months. Open your first SoFi Checking and Savings account and receive eligible direct deposits OR qualifying deposits of $5,000 every 31 days by 12/31/26. Rates are variable, subject to change. Terms apply at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/#4">sofi.com/banking#4</a>. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. on savings for up to six months (3.10% APY standard + 0.90% APY boost) on top of that $50 or $400 bonus.² New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more) OR $400 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more). Cash bonus amount will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 5/15/2026 and will be available through 12/31/26. See full bonus and annual percentage yield (APY) terms at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/checking-offer/">sofi.com/banking/checking-offer/</a> That's way better than the measly 0.38% APY (as of 06/15/26)³ Based on <a href="https://www.fdic.gov/national-rates-and-rate-caps">this</a> FDIC data, as of 6/15/26. national average savings accounts offer.

No monthly fees and no surprises. Open your account and earn up to a $400 bonus

Can you go on the occasional vacation?

Can you afford to spend a weekend or two a year at a nearby vacation destination of your choice? If so, whether you're traveling to the French Riviera or a nearby state, having that disposable income indicates that you're doing better financially than you think.

Shopping for cheaper auto insurance? Enter your zip code here to get started.

Can you make active choices about how you spend your money?

A certain portion of your paycheck automatically goes toward paying bills, and some of it goes toward necessities like groceries.

But once you've allocated money toward these necessities, do you have a little left over to choose how to spend? For instance, can you treat yourself to a nice dinner once a month if you want to?

No matter how much (or how little) money you can spend on yourself, as long as you have that money, you probably have more financial flexibility than you think.

Have you been able to find creative ways to make ends meet?

You've probably had your fair share of financial ups and downs. Sometimes, it was harder to make ends meet than others, but the real question isn't "How many times have you experienced financial difficulty?"

Instead, it's whether or not you were able to weather the storm, either by picking up a side gig, being more frugal with your spending, or downsizing to a smaller home.

If you've gotten through periods of financial stress by finding creative solutions, there's a good chance you'll be able to do so again when times get tough.

Resolve $10,000 or more of your debt

National Debt Relief could help you resolve your credit card debt with an affordable plan that works for you. Just tell them your situation, then find out your debt relief options.⁴ Please note that all calls with the company may be recorded or monitored for quality assurance and training purposes. Clients who are able to stay with the program and get all their debt settled realize approximate savings of 45% before fees, or 20% including our fees, over 24 to 48 months. All claims are based on enrolled debts. Not all debts are eligible for enrollment. Not all clients complete our program for various reasons, including their ability to save sufficient funds. Estimates based on prior results, which will vary based on specific circumstances. We do not guarantee that your debts will be lowered by a specific amount or percentage or that you will be debt-free within a specific period of time. We do not assume consumer debt, make monthly payments to creditors or provide tax, bankruptcy, accounting or legal advice or credit repair services. Not available in all states. Please contact a tax professional to discuss tax consequences of settlement. Please consult with a bankruptcy attorney for more information on bankruptcy. Depending on your state, we may be available to recommend a local tax professional and/or bankruptcy attorney. Read and understand all program materials prior to enrollment, including potential adverse impact on credit rating. "Debt-Free" applies only to enrolled credit cards, personal loans, and medical bills. Not mortgages, car loans, or other debts. Results vary.

Do you have at least a little money in savings?

Any savings amount, no matter how small, is better than having an empty account. Sure, it's better to have a hefty nest egg for retirement — but if you've been able to put some money away already, odds are good that you can continue the trend in the long term.

Can you make the occasional impulse buy?

Generally speaking, impulse buying is often a waste of cash. But if you're at the grocery checkout and decide you really want that pack of gum, can you afford to give in to the impulse every once in a while, or would doing so substantially set you back?

If you can occasionally purchase something small on impulse, just for fun, you'll probably be OK — just don't make a habit out of it.

Do you have more than one source of income?

A steady job to pay the bills is just one component of growing your wealth. If you have other revenue streams to fall back on when times get tough — an investment property or Etsy shop — you're in a better place financially than someone who depends on just one income stream to stay afloat.

Make Money: 8 things to do if you're barely scraping by financially

Can you choose to use credit instead of having to rely on it?

Most of us have credit cards in our back pockets, but there's a difference between actively choosing to buy something on credit and having no other option.

If you can use credit strategically instead of feeling forced into it just to buy groceries, that's a good sign that you're doing well.

Can you offer the occasional helping hand to someone in need?

Do you have enough cash in your bank account to occasionally donate to a local charity or help out a close friend or family member in need? If you're offering help more often than asking for help, you're probably in a solid financial position.

Bottom line

If you answered yes to most of these questions, congratulations! You're likely in a better financial spot than you've been worrying you were. But if you weren't able to answer yes, don't panic.

There's plenty of time for you to make the financial changes that will help prepare yourself financially. Use this questionnaire as a guide to work toward that future success.

More from FinanceBuzz:

Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
$0 annual fee
Apply Now

Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers; balance transfer fee applies. Then 17.49% to 26.49% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness
INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases
Redeem cash back for any amount. No annual fee
Terms and conditions apply

4.7

Apply Now

on Issuer's secure website

Read Card Review

Intro Offer

INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300

Annual Fee

Why we like it