There is a growing group of HENRYCHs among millennials. You can't be one if you dream of wealth

The line between middle class and "being rich" is blurring more and more these days, so a term had to be created that would accurately describe the group of people who exist in between. The term "HENRY" , or High Earner, Not Rich Yet , seems to fit perfectly here. It refers to people who earn more than the majority of society, but still do not feel financially comfortable .

The term first appeared in 2003 in Fortune magazine , written by financial journalist Shawn Tully . At that time, HENRY described American households with incomes of $250,000 to $500,000 per year, but who nevertheless often teetered on the edge of financial liquidity .

Henry today

Over the years, the term HENRY has also found its way outside the United States . In the UK, it refers to people with annual earnings of over £100,000, or about three times the national average. Interestingly, despite such large earnings, many Henrys end the month with an empty bank account. The main culprits? The rising cost of living , mortgages , childcare costs , and… oh yes, a lifestyle based on consumption , which is associated with social and professional pressures.

Today, Henry is often a millennial with a six-figure salary who, instead of accumulating wealth, spends it on trendy gadgets , luxury vacations , and trendy assets like cryptocurrencies and NFTs , hoping to make a quick buck. But often, they have neither savings nor enough resources to provide security in the event of losing their job.

Henio, or what does it look like in Poland?

How does this phenomenon look on the Vistula ? In an article published in Business Insider, Mateusz Madejski described the Polish version of HENRY , which I will allow myself to call more familiarly - Henio .

The average salary in Poland in 2024 was approximately PLN 8,181 gross. If we translate the proportions from Great Britain , we will be able to call Henie people earning at least PLN 22,000 per month.

Such incomes place them high in Polish statistics, but still do not give a sense of financial independence . Sometimes a bit at one's own request. So what can be done to change this?

How can Henry improve his situation?

Although the situation of Henio , Henry or whatever you want to call him, may seem comfortable in the eyes of the majority of society, it is not without dangers. The biggest problem of this group is the lack of financial liquidity and savings , which makes them defenseless in the event of job loss , sudden health crises or unexpected expenses .

How to fix this? HENRY doesn't have to give up his high-class lifestyle, but he should start managing his finances more carefully. Investing in liquid and stable assets , systematically setting aside some of his income , and increasing his financial awareness seem like a good start.

Creating a budget and avoiding impulsive purchases are good habits to start with. Henio sounds funny, but it's worth working on not having anyone call you that.