Introduction: The Chase That Never Ends
Most people believe that if they chase money, they’ll achieve happiness — that a certain income level, a dream house, or financial freedom will bring permanent contentment. But time and time again, we see the opposite happen. The more money people make, the more they desire. Once they adapt to a certain financial level, the goalposts shift, and they crave even more. This is the financial hedonic treadmill — a relentless pursuit of wealth and material pleasure that, in the end, never leads to lasting satisfaction.
This is why lottery winners continue to play the lottery, despite already being rich. It’s why people who reach financial milestones don’t stop — they push harder, chase bigger deals, and accumulate more luxuries, only to realize that the thrill fades, and they are still chasing.
As I was writing about the hedonic treadmill in relationships, I debated whether to explore this topic separately. It wasn’t until I was driving to my doctor’s office, listening to a podcast on money and happiness, that I knew this had to be discussed.
The rapper Biggie Smalls once said, “Mo’ Money, Mo’ Problems.” Millions of people unknowingly prove this statement true every day. Movies have glamorized the pursuit of wealth — films like Scarface, King of New York, and Heat have made it seem normal, even noble, to risk everything for financial gain.
Today, social media has replaced Hollywood in shaping our perception of wealth. Influencers flaunt their luxury cars, designer clothes, exotic vacations, and millionaire lifestyles, making it seem like chasing wealth is the ultimate goal. But they never seem satisfied. There’s always another upgrade, another flex, another purchase — a clear sign that even at the top, they’re still running on the financial treadmill.
So, why does more money never feel like enough? How can we identify when we’re sprinting on this treadmill? And more importantly, how do we shut it off and step into financial peace?
Recognizing the Financial Hedonic Treadmill
Not everyone runs the financial treadmill at the same speed. Some chase money aggressively, sacrificing everything for wealth, while others move at a slower pace, still feeling the urge to keep up with an ever-moving target. The key is identifying where you stand and recognizing when you’re caught in the cycle.
Here’s how the financial treadmill manifests in everyday life:
1. The “New Money” High and the Adaptation Trap
· You buy your dream car, and for a few weeks, every drive feels exhilarating. But soon, the leather seats feel normal, the engine sound no longer excites you, and suddenly, the same car that thrilled you now feels ordinary.
· The solution? Trade up — get something newer, faster, flashier. But soon enough, that car also loses its magic, and the cycle continues.
2. The Never-Ending Lifestyle Inflation
· You get a raise, a bonus, or a financial windfall, and instead of saving or investing wisely, you upgrade your lifestyle.
· A bigger house, a new wardrobe, first-class flights — what once seemed like luxuries now feel necessary.
· The problem? You’re not happier — you’ve just shifted your baseline higher, and now, maintaining this lifestyle requires even more money.
3. The Social Comparison Trap
· You were perfectly content with your life — until you saw someone on Instagram driving a Lamborghini, vacationing in the Maldives, or posting about their $10,000 watch.
· Suddenly, you feel behind, as if you’re not doing enough. So, you chase harder, spend more, and push beyond your means, thinking it’ll make you feel accomplished.
· But once you reach that level? There’s always someone richer, someone with more. The goalpost moves.
4. Gambling, Speculation, and Risk-Taking for the High
· Some chase financial pleasure through investing in high-risk stocks, sports betting, or crypto speculation, not for financial security but for the rush.
· When they win, they chase even bigger wins. When they lose, they feel the need to make back what they lost, keeping them trapped in the cycle.
· Just like in relationships, where people seek emotional highs, financial thrill-seekers look for the next big score to feel alive.
5. The Empty Fulfillment of Material Success
· Some people finally make it — they reach their financial goals, only to feel empty.
· They thought wealth would complete them, but instead, they’re asking, “Is this all there is?”
· Many turn to more spending, more status symbols, more distractions to fill the void, never realizing that what they’re chasing can’t be bought.
How to Step Off the Financial Treadmill
The good news? The treadmill can be turned off. You can reclaim financial peace and stop the exhausting cycle of chasing more. Here’s how:
1. Define Your “Enough”
· What does financial success actually mean to you? If you never made another dollar beyond a certain point, could you still live a meaningful life?
· Set a clear definition of what “enough” looks like for you — this keeps you from constantly moving the goalpost.
2. Shift from Consumption to Contentment
· Instead of asking, “What can I buy next?”, start asking, “What truly brings me joy?”
· Focus on experiences, relationships, and personal growth over material goods.
3. Escape the Social Comparison Trap
· Unfollow accounts that make you feel like you’re not enough.
· Recognize that most social media wealth is exaggerated or financed by debt — people are renting luxury to appear rich.
· Stop competing in a game you never signed up for.
4. Build Financial Freedom, Not Just Wealth
· Wealth isn’t just about making more — it’s about needing less.
· Reduce financial obligations, pay off debt, and invest wisely so your money works for you instead of trapping you.
5. Find Purpose Beyond Money
· If you took money out of the equation, what would you do with your life?
· Seek fulfillment in things that don’t require financial gain — mentorship, creativity, personal passions.
· Remember, money should serve you, not control you.
Personal Reflection: My Own Run on the Financial Hedonic Treadmill
Back in 2011, I was a struggling Soldier in the National Guard, just making ends meet. That is, until I was hired into the full-time Active Guard Program and suddenly found myself making more money than I had ever made before. At first, it felt incredible. I finally had financial breathing room, and with it came the freedom to buy things I had only dreamed of.
The first thing I did? I bought a sleek black Acura. I loved that car — the way it handled, the way it made me feel. But soon, that rush of excitement faded. The car that once gave me so much joy became just another part of my daily routine. And with more money still coming in, naturally, I did what so many do — I bought another car.
This time, it was a brand-new 2011 Toyota Corolla. I lived in the Bronx, and for anyone who has lived in New York City, you know that owning two cars in the city is a terrible decision. Parking was a nightmare. Every Thursday and Friday, the roads had to be cleared for street sweeping. I tried to strategically rotate my cars between Thursday and Friday slots, avoiding tickets as best as I could. But of course, I still got ticketed multiple times.
At the time, I didn’t realize it, but I was running the financial treadmill full speed. I spent years chasing material things, believing that more money meant more happiness. But the truth was, each time I leveled up, I quickly returned to my emotional baseline. The Acura stopped feeling special. I started noticing everything I disliked about the Corolla and began wanting another car to recapture the thrill of driving.
Eventually, I came to my senses. I donated the Acura to a nonprofit organization, Kars4Kids, and stepped back to evaluate what I had been doing. Looking back, was I happy when I had both cars? Yes, at first. But how soon did I adapt? How quickly did I start focusing on what I didn’t like about my cars instead of appreciating what I had?
That’s the financial hedonic treadmill in action. The chase never ends — not unless you make a conscious decision to step off.
Final Thoughts: Choosing a Better Financial Life
The financial hedonic treadmill keeps millions of people running at full speed, chasing more money, more luxury, more status — only to never feel satisfied. The high fades, the goalpost moves, and the cycle repeats. But it doesn’t have to.
Not everyone runs at the same pace — some sprint toward financial pleasure, while others move slowly, still trapped in the chase. But the speed doesn’t matter. What matters is realizing that you can stop running altogether.
If you’re caught in the never-ending chase for more, ask yourself:
· What am I really looking for?
· Is this pursuit actually making me happier?
· What would happen if I stopped chasing and started living?
True financial success isn’t just about how much you earn or own — it’s about how free you feel. When you step off the treadmill, you stop running toward an illusion and start walking toward real financial peace.
It’s time to turn the machine off.
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