Reddit’s r/UpperMiddleFinance has become a surprisingly practical look at how people are managing their money in a high-cost, high-volatility world. From paying off mortgages and skipping luxury upgrades to doubling down on long-term investments, upper-middle-class Americans say these were their best financial decisions in the last year.
One of the most recurring themes was a shift away from materialism and toward intentional living. One person summed it up plainly: “The material purchases provide us less and less joy as we have gotten older… We receive way more fulfillment from spending on travel and experiences.”
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The original poster kicked things off by sharing that their family of four passed on home renovations to instead spend three weeks in Italy. “We all decided to continue prioritizing experiences over material stuff,” they wrote. “Also shows the kids how we balance, budget, and prioritize our hard-earned dollars.”
Another user echoed that approach, saying they paid cash for a used Cadillac instead of splurging on something new. “It’s so tempting to splurge, but all cars get old eventually.”
Dozens of commenters shared how they focused on eliminating debt. One household paid off their mortgage 10 years early. Another person dropped $35,000 to pay off a loan and ended up 42% up on the year. One person shared, “We still maxed out our 401(k)s but any bonuses and extra savings went to the loan.”
One popular strategy: using 0% interest balance transfer cards to pay down credit card debt. A federal worker wrote that combining that tactic with a side gig helped them feel like they were finally back on track after a rough stretch.
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Others said their smartest move was simply staying calm. “To quote [Vanguard Group founder] Jack Bogle, ‘Don’t just do something! Stand there!’” one person wrote. Another said they maxed their 401(k) during a market dip, then dollar-cost averaged the rest of the year.
Some got more aggressive. One poster said they invested over $150,000 total in the last year, including $77,000 into tax-advantaged accounts. Others shifted contributions to backdoor Roth IRAs or took advantage of mega backdoor opportunities from their employers.
