Should you completely ignore what other people do with their money?

Question

Rich Dad · Accepted Answer

If you’re staring at your neighbor’s wallet, you’re not watching your own empire grow.
No — don’t ignore what other people do with their money. Study it like a predator studies prey. The difference? Don’t copy it blindly. Most people are broke, stressed, or one emergency away from panic. Why would you model your financial life after that? Observe patterns. Who’s building assets? Who’s stacking liabilities disguised as “success”? Learn from both.
Comparison is poison if it makes you insecure. It’s power if it makes you strategic. When your friend buys a new car, don’t feel small — ask what that car is costing them in missed investments. When someone invests boldly and wins, don’t call it luck — dissect the move. You’re not ignoring people. You’re reverse-engineering outcomes.
Watch what others do — just don’t live by their script.

Poor Dad · Answer

If everyone jumped off a financial cliff, would you update your LinkedIn before or after?
You should not base your financial decisions on what others are doing. That’s how people end up overextended, over-leveraged, and over-stressed. Your coworker’s new house doesn’t tell you about their debt. Your friend’s stock gains don’t show you the risk they took. Be careful — appearances can be misleading.
Focus on your own budget, your own goals, and your own long-term security. Think about your pension. Think about stability. It’s fine to learn from others, but your financial plan should be built around your income, your responsibilities, and your risk tolerance — not social pressure.
Run your own race, especially when money is involved.

Should you completely ignore what other people do with their money?

Rich Dad Says

Poor Dad Says

Whose advice would you follow?

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