Most people in their 20s are playing the wrong money game. They are cutting expenses, chasing side hustles, or trying to “get rich fast,” while missing the one thing that actually determines whether income grows long term. In this episode, I talk with Nick Maggiulli, author of The Wealth Ladder, about how money really works at different stages of life and how to climb to the top of the ladder. If you’re in your 20s and feel pressure to be further ahead, this conversation explains why that feeling exists, why social media distorts reality, and what actually matters early if your goal is income growth and financial stability. We get into: Why most people in their 20s are not behind financially Why income growth matters more than budgeting early on How the Wealth Ladder explains different money stages Why one size fits all investing advice breaks down How to think about skills, careers, and leverage in an AI driven economy It’s a framework for people in their 20s who want to build income the right way. Get Nick's bestselling book, The Wealth Ladder Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices