Sometimes I think its little tells you get from people, they might say things like (often with a beer in them) "I see all the guys settling down and doing well from themselves" Its sometimes an illusion to others that they are "behind" their pals etc. The guy in question has a lovely missus, nice house, respectable job. I dont have the same concerns about him that i used to looking back. Not an expert but society probably doesnt help by encouraging this obsession with your standing and materialism. I often look at thr cars in the carpark and think jeezo, these folk must be doing ok... In reality they are probably tied to some crazy PCP deal on a car thats worth more than their annual salary and live in a house with negative equity.