I secretly make more per year than my real-world boss and his boss, and make about the same as his boss (one of several VP's of a billion-dollar financial firm). But I know better than to flaunt it, especially at age 25 (26 on Monday). If you saw me, though, you wouldn't know it. Unless you are around on Friday's when I bring in doughnuts and coffee for our 25 person team.
I drive a modest, eight-year old hatchback that I keep spotless. It just crossed 100,000 miles last month, but people often ask where I got my new car. I live in a modest apartment (less than $1k per month, 2 bedroom) and don't spend frivolously on crap (minimalism for decreased stress). But you damn well better bet that my wife and I have a down payment set aside on a house next year, our cars are paid off, and our only debt is my wife's medical school loans (fuckin' kill me).
But my wife and I have an aggressive loan repayment strategy mapped out, which mainly consists of us living off of my earnings and using all of her surgical residency earnings to pay off loans. They will be paid by the time she finishes her residency and starts making $250,000+ per year (2021). At this point, I anticipate we will be earning a combined $1,000,000 every 27 months.
I advise you learn the difference between good and bad debt, live below your means, save as much as you can without sacrificing quality of life, and get an education in a field that offers a good balance between things you like and income ranges. The anti-college crowd are the same people who will very, very, very likely never see a seven-figure net worth.