How to Flex

I know this is extremely juvenile and petty. Yes I know I am pretty shallow for caring so much.

Basically I want to flex and show my old friends from high school and my hometown I make a lot of money. They don't understand all the work it takes to get into IB, but everyone gets the dollars and cents. A lot when to "better" universities and they would talk a lot of shit on my college. Now they are making max like 60k and I'm pulling in 160k as a first year. Basically they looked down on me for years, and now their yearly salary is my bonus. Luckily I have a dead social media account where all my old friends follow me, so can post something obnoxious without it spilling over into my current circle. Thinking about posting how "blessed I am to be making it in America and NYC where I am on track to break (whatever value) in my first year". 

More of a rant than anything else I guess. Just wanted to get this off my chest. 

15 Comments
 

You make $100k more than those assholes. Why would you give a flying fuck about what they think of you?

 

for better or worse, im gonna give you actual advice for what you're looking for cause im also vain as shit and drunk. buy a 10k+ watch thats a brand theyve never heard of (vacheron constantine, limited edition omega, jaeger lecoultre, A. Lange & Söhne, etc.) This will not make you any closer with your friends, but it will give you the effect youre looking for. dont post cringy instagram pictures, thats for insecure girls 

 

Net worth is not equal to self worth.

I guess this is why they have looked down on you. I've had dickhead highschool mates, but I don't have any need to impress them, our lives have diverged. I have a old high school friend who posts all his watches hundreds of thousands worth on IG, but everyone knows he is just a loney guy. How about you treat you family, friends, and colleagues well, go out and treat them to a nice dinner or save up for something memorable. That's more impressive than anything, what's the point of a chunky salary when you are the dickhead and alone?

 

Anonymous Monkey

I know this is extremely juvenile and petty. Yes I know I am pretty shallow for caring so much.

Basically I want to flex and show my old friends from high school and my hometown I make a lot of money. They don't understand all the work it takes to get into IB, but everyone gets the dollars and cents. A lot when to "better" universities and they would talk a lot of shit on my college. Now they are making max like 60k and I'm pulling in 160k as a first year. Basically they looked down on me for years, and now their yearly salary is my bonus. Luckily I have a dead social media account where all my old friends follow me, so can post something obnoxious without it spilling over into my current circle. Thinking about posting how "blessed I am to be making it in America and NYC where I am on track to break (whatever value) in my first year". 

More of a rant than anything else I guess. Just wanted to get this off my chest. 

Damn dude maybe you should’ve “when to” a better college how much copium are you on rn… this is just sad considering those people are still living in your head

 

Ironically the best way to make them jealous is just to live your life, and be generous with your money and buy them a really nice steak dinner. This shows that 1. you can afford the dinner 2. you are well off that you can BUY other people nice dinners and 3. live comfortably to care about other people.

But this doesnt work if you are only there to flex. Just live a little and relax and have a generous attitude.

 

Even better is not living your life trying to make others jealous. Pretty unhealthy, and never leads to happiness

 

I'm not going to say that this is terrible advice, but you don't want to create any "hanger on-ers" either. You can be generous as long as people understand the limits of that generosity in both value and frequency. Otherwise you create a situation where people don't appreciate you and come to expect things from you. 

 

Some people can make millions and still be mentally broke. Trust me, it's always very obvious who these people are. You will not come off as cool, your true intentions will be apparent. I'd suggest working on being less self-conscious my friend

 

You need to do some inward soul searching. Not gaslighting you but as someone who's a good 10-12 years older, I can tell you that winning in life hinges on mental fortitude and focus. To succeed you need drive, direction and energy and expanding those resources on some petty flexes through life -because btw that won't be the first or last flex- will just have you chasing your tail. Good luck 

“Self-control is strength. Right thought is mastery. Calmness is power. ” - James Allen
 

Distinctio aspernatur odit optio magni perspiciatis velit. Eos id nam aperiam nobis id. Sint sunt tenetur neque temporibus reprehenderit.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (66) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”