Beyond Age: George Kamel Reveals What Matters More Than Your Net Worth

Financial success isn’t just about hitting a number—it’s about making smart choices at every life stage. Personal finance expert George Kamel recently shared insights on why people shouldn’t fixate on their net worth, and what they should prioritize instead. For individuals at any age looking to build real wealth, understanding this distinction can transform their financial trajectory.

Understanding Your Financial Standing at Different Life Stages

Your net worth represents your financial position at a specific moment. To calculate it, add up all your assets—savings, investments, property—then subtract everything you owe, including mortgages, student loans, and credit card balances. The result shows where you stand financially and how far you still need to go.

As people age, their net worth typically increases through accumulated work experience, higher income potential, and compound investment returns. However, major life events like buying a house or starting a family can temporarily reduce net worth. Looking at what others have accumulated at your age can provide helpful context, though George Kamel emphasizes using median figures rather than averages, since extreme outliers can skew the picture.

Federal Reserve data from 2022 painted this picture of median net worth by age group:

• Under 35: $39,000
• 35 to 44: $136,000
• 45 to 54: $247,000
• 55 to 64: $365,000
• 65 to 74: $410,000
• Over 75: $336,000

These figures show natural progression, but they’re just benchmarks—not rigid targets to achieve.

The Real Problem With Chasing Numbers

George Kamel’s core message is simple: stop worrying about whether you’re above or below the median. Instead of obsessing over reaching a specific net worth figure by a certain age, channel your energy into executing a solid financial plan that grows your wealth systematically over time.

The danger of net worth obsession is that it can create false comfort. Someone with a high net worth might feel financially secure while carrying massive debt or living paycheck to paycheck. The number itself doesn’t tell the full story of financial health.

The Debt Trap: Why Paying Down Obligations Trumps Chasing Numbers

One of the most impactful moves you can make is aggressively paying down debt. According to Experian, Americans owed over $1 trillion in credit card debt as of 2023. This outstanding obligation silently drains wealth and opportunity. Reducing debt directly improves your financial flexibility and long-term wealth accumulation—often more effectively than trying to boost your asset total.

Building an emergency fund that covers three to six months of expenses serves a similar purpose. When unexpected crises strike, having this cushion prevents you from taking on additional debt just to survive. This safety net transforms from “nice to have” to essential infrastructure for real financial progress.

Lifestyle Creep: The Silent Wealth Killer George Kamel Warns Against

Here’s a scenario George Kamel frequently highlights: you get a promotion or land a better job with higher pay. Your first instinct is to celebrate—maybe upgrade your car, renovate your home, or expand your spending habits to match your new income. This is lifestyle creep, and it’s one of the most common reasons people never build lasting wealth.

When you increase spending to match increased income, that raise essentially vanishes. You’re left with the same savings rate as before, despite earning more money. The real wealth builders do the opposite: they keep their lifestyle relatively stable while directing new income toward debt elimination, emergency fund building, and long-term investments.

Building Real Financial Security: Practical Steps Over Statistics

The path forward isn’t complicated. Focus on three core practices: eliminate consumer debt, establish an emergency fund, and resist the temptation to inflate your lifestyle. These fundamentals matter far more than whether your net worth sits at $150,000 or $200,000 at age 45.

By anchoring yourself to effective financial habits rather than chasing net worth milestones, you’ll develop sustainable wealth-building patterns. These practices compound over time, delivering results that go far beyond what any single net worth snapshot can capture. George Kamel’s message remains consistent across all ages: build the right habits first, and your net worth will follow.