Buying Happiness on the TikTok Shop with Monica

Monica joins us to vent about media glorification of the rich, happiness purchased with money, taxes, family road trips, and the TikTok Shop.

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This episode features Monica, Chris' former colleague, discussing frustrations with money and the societal glorification of wealth. Both elder millennials, Chris and Monica share relatable experiences of financial struggles, contrasting their younger years with their current priorities concerning income and financial stability. Monica recounts a period of significantly increased income during the pandemic due to remote work opportunities, followed by a return to pre-pandemic earning levels after layoffs. They discuss the challenges of home-ownership, the rising cost of living, and the pressure to maintain a certain lifestyle portrayed on social media platforms like TikTok, where Monica has purchased items from TikTok Shop. The conversation includes the unrealistic expectations set by media portrayals of the wealthy, the difficulties of saving for a down payment on a home, and the complexities of the American tax system. They question the fairness of the current system and ponder the disparity between the income of entertainers and essential workers like teachers. The episode concludes with reflections on their personal experiences with financial anxieties, the impact of social media on consumerism, and the challenges of navigating political discussions online.