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For many first-generation middle-class Americans, earning a six-figure salary can feel like achieving a lifelong goal. But one worker discovered that reaching that milestone can also create a new challenge\u2013convincing family members that a $120,000 income doesn\u2019t automatically make someone rich<\/a>.<\/p>\n In a post that sparked a lively discussion on Reddit<\/a>, the worker explained that they earn about $118,000 a year while their wife earns around $45,000. Their parents, who spent their lives working service jobs and never built significant retirement savings, see those numbers as \u201clottery money.\u201d According to the poster, their parents regularly ask for financial help because they believe the family has plenty of extra cash available.<\/p>\n Don’t Miss:<\/p>\n The Reality Behind A Six-Figure Income <\/p>\n The poster said their parents live in a lower-cost area and have a very different view<\/a> of what everyday life costs.<\/p>\n \u201cThey assume we are sitting on piles of cash and they can just call and ask, \u2018Can you help with dental, can you fly here for Christmas, can you send $1,000 for new roof because contractor came,’\u201d they wrote.<\/p>\n The requests aren\u2019t usually small. The poster said they often involve amounts ranging from hundreds to more than a thousand dollars at a time.<\/p>\n What makes the situation frustrating is that the family\u2019s budget is already stretched. The poster listed a $2,900 mortgage, $1,100 in daycare costs, health care expenses, utilities, groceries and transportation costs. They are also trying to save for retirement and a college fund for their child.<\/p>\n When they shared their monthly budget with their parents, hoping it would provide some perspective, it didn\u2019t have the desired effect. Their mother reportedly responded by asking why they didn\u2019t simply move somewhere cheaper<\/a>.<\/p>\n Trending: Explore Jeff Bezos-backed Arrived Homes and see how investors are earning passive rental income \u2014 now with a limited-time 1% bonus match for new investors.<\/a><\/p>\n Setting Financial Boundaries <\/p>\n One of the most popular responses advised the poster to put family members on an \u201cinformation diet.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf there\u2019s an amount you\u2019re willing to give, budget for that,\u201d one commenter wrote. \u201cOtherwise, there\u2019s no reason to discuss your financial situation with them since they\u2019ll just try to take advantage of you.\u201d<\/p>\n Others said they learned similar lessons after sharing salary increases, bonuses or financial milestones with relatives. Several people said family members began viewing them as a source of financial support once they knew how much money they earned.<\/p>\n Commenters also pointed out that higher earnings often don\u2019t translate into large amounts of disposable income. Extra money frequently gets directed toward retirement savings, emergency funds, children\u2019s education and other long-term goals.<\/p>\n See Also: Most budgeting apps ignore your investments. Empower doesn\u2019t \u2014 it syncs your 401(k), IRA, bank, and credit accounts into one real-time dashboard.<\/a><\/p>\n Many people mistakenly assume six-figure earners are simply accumulating cash, when in reality they are allocating it toward future needs.<\/p>\n The most common recommendation was to establish a specific amount that could be used to help family members each year and stick to it. Others suggested reserving financial assistance only for true emergencies.<\/p>\n People had different views on how much grown children should help their aging parents, but many agreed that taking care of your own family\u2019s finances doesn\u2019t make you selfish. As one commenter pointed out, making sure you save enough for retirement<\/a> now could help keep your own children from having to deal with the same situation later.<\/p>\n Read Next: The IRS Could Take A Bigger Bite Out Of Retirement Savings Than Many Expect \u2014 Some Investors Are Seeking Professional Help<\/a><\/p>\n Building Wealth Across More Than Just the Market <\/p>\n Building a resilient portfolio means thinking beyond a single asset or market trend. Economic cycles shift, sectors rise and fall, and no one investment performs well in every environment. That’s why many investors look to diversify with platforms that provide access to real estate, fixed-income opportunities, precious metals, and even self-directed retirement accounts. By spreading exposure across multiple asset classes, it becomes easier to manage risk, capture steady returns, and create long-term wealth that isn’t tied to the fortunes of just one company or industry.<\/p>\n Arrived<\/p>\n Backed by Jeff Bezos, Arrived Homes makes real estate investing accessible with a low barrier to entry. Investors can buy fractional shares of single-family rentals and vacation homes starting with as little as $100<\/a>. This allows everyday investors to diversify into real estate, collect rental income, and build long-term wealth without needing to manage properties directly.<\/p>\n Immersed<\/p>\n Immersed is building technology for the future of work through spatial computing<\/a>. Known for its AR\/VR productivity platform that enables users to work across multiple virtual screens, the company has grown to more than 1.5 million users worldwide. Immersed is also developing Visor, a lightweight headset designed specifically for professional productivity, positioning the company at the intersection of remote work, extended reality (XR), and next-generation computing.<\/p>\n Vinovest<\/p>\n Fine wine and rare whiskey have historically moved independently of the stock market, making them a compelling alternative asset. Vinovest manages authenticated, insured portfolios of investment-grade wine and whiskey starting at $5,000<\/a> \u2014 sourcing, storage, and insurance all handled for you.<\/p>\n EnergyX<\/p>\n EnergyX is a clean energy technology company focused on direct lithium extraction and refinery technologies for the lithium-ion battery supply chain.<\/a> Its proprietary DLE systems are designed to recover lithium from brine resources more efficiently and with less environmental impact, supporting efforts to expand lithium supply for electric vehicles, grid-scale storage, and other battery applications.<\/p>\n FarmTogether<\/p>\n Farmland has historically held its value through market volatility and delivered returns uncorrelated to stocks and bonds. For accredited investors, FarmTogether offers direct access to high-quality U.S. farmland starting at $15,000<\/a> \u2014 fully managed, with no landlord headaches.<\/p>\n EquityMultiple<\/p>\n For accredited investors looking beyond stocks and bonds, EquityMultiple provides access to vetted commercial real estate deals starting at $5,000,<\/a> with only ~5% of opportunities passing their due diligence process.<\/p>\n Fundrise<\/p>\n Private real estate and private credit can add income and stability to a stock-heavy portfolio. Fundrise offers access to diversified private real estate<\/a> and credit strategies through an easy-to-use platform, with professionally managed portfolios designed to generate passive income and long-term growth.<\/p>\n American Hartford Gold<\/p>\n American Hartford Gold is a precious metals dealer that helps clients buy physical gold and silver coins and bars, either for direct delivery or within self-directed precious metals IRAs.<\/a> The company’s services include gold and silver IRAs, IRA rollovers, and home delivery of bullion, giving investors a way to use tangible metals to diversify portfolios and seek protection against inflation and market volatility.<\/p>\n Image: Shutterstock<\/p>\n This article How Do You Deal With Parents Who Think Earning $120K Means You’re Wealthy And Can Fund Them? ‘They Assume We Are Sitting On Piles Of Cash’<\/a> originally appeared on Benzinga.com<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a9 2026 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. 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