The Price of Looking Rich in the Age of AI

The New Flex Economy

In the Philippines, we have a word for people who want to look more important than they really are: EPAL.

We already broke this down in EPAL in the Age of AI—those noisy, self-promoting types who use every chance to look good, whether it’s on stage, in politics, or on social media.

We also explored the Quiet but Filthy mindset—people who actually have money but don’t need to show it.

But in between these two extremes lies the most dangerous middle ground: people who look rich online but are broke offline—sometimes even deep in debt.

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Looking Rich While the Wallet’s Empty

Let’s be real. Some people are posting designer outfits, beach trips, and fancy meals… but swipe down their social feed and you’ll also see them lining up for 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program) benefits.

Let’s face it: poverty is politically profitable—and pretending to be rich on Facebook doesn’t change the fact that your name is still on the beneficiary list.
Read more at: Politics of Poverty Philippines

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The Debt Trap Behind the Flex

Others are trapped in 5-6 lending or loan apps—where you borrow ₱500 and pay back ₱600 in just a few weeks. That’s a ₱100 interest for every ₱500 borrowed—often on repeat.

It’s like wearing a brand-new watch while your ankle’s chained to a ball of debt. You can smile for the selfie, but you can’t run far.
Read more at: AI and the 5-6 Trap

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The Psychology of Money—Filipino Edition

Morgan Housel’s The Psychology of Money teaches that:

• Wealth is what you don’t see—the savings, investments, and emergency funds, not the flashy spending.
• Spending to impress rarely impresses the right people—the truly rich don’t care about your Instagram feed.
• Real financial freedom is quiet—no hashtags needed.

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AI: The Mirror and the Map

AI knows your truth. Every click, like, and online purchase paints a profile of who you really are. If you’re flexing fake wealth, AI can predict your weaknesses—and feed you targeted ads that keep you spending.

But here’s the flip side: AI can also set you free.

• It can help you find better-paying online gigs.
• It can teach you new skills without you spending thousands.
• It can connect you to communities that share real money-saving hacks.
• It can track your expenses and warn you when you’re falling into the debt spiral.

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The Real Price of Pretending

Looking rich is not the problem.
Looking rich while trapped in 4Ps dependency or drowning in 5-6 debt is.

Set yourself free. Enough bragging. In the age of AI, the same tech that tempts you to spend can also guide you to save, earn, and finally live a life that’s rich for real—not just rich for the ‘gram.

Because the ultimate flex isn’t a luxury bag.
It’s sleeping peacefully knowing you owe no one a single peso.