upworthy

Greg Sullivan

Policy

Unique visualization of the wealth gap shows what your salary looks like stacked in $5 bills

This eye-opening visualization makes income inequality impossible to ignore.

Greg Sullivan

These stacks are easy enough to grasp, but the two in the back will blow your mind.

There comes a point in many conversations when numbers all just start to lose meaning. The nearest star is, however, many gazillion miles away. The national debt is, however, many tens of trillions of dollars. None of it really makes sense.

We can't really understand numbers at this scale, which is a problem because numbers matter when it comes to things like policy decisions and economic justice. If we can't truly understand the scale of an issue like income inequality, how can we even begin to address it? And income inequality is an issue that needs to be addressed.

The value of a stack of fives

A stack of five dollar bills worth $1,000. At just under an inch tall, a thousand dollars in fives is pretty easy to get your head around. Greg Sullivan

A five-dollar bill is still enough to buy a cup of coffee in most places. Stack 200 of them together, and you have a thousand dollars, which is just under an inch tall. That will be our basic unit of measurement as we climb the economic ladder. It's something tangible that we can understand easily.

Minimum wage: barely scraping by

The federal minimum wage in early 2025 is $7.25 an hour. Someone working full-time at this rate earns $15,080 a year—a stack of fives about 13 inches tall. This number hasn't changed since 2009, and in inflation-adjusted buying power, it's the lowest it has been in 66 years.

The wealth gap visualized in stacks of $5 bills Greg Sullivan/Upworthy

A two-adult household working full-time at minimum wage earns $30,160, which is just above the poverty line of $24,860—a stack of about 21 inches. People living at this level will struggle to get the basic necessities of life, and even a minor setback can be devastating.

The median full-time worker: financial stability with limits

$57,000 stacked in fives is 4 feet tall.The median American worker earns a stack of fives about 4 feet tall. Find a hard hat!Greg Sullivan

The median annual income in the united states was, as of 2024, about $57,000. This translates to a stack of five-dollar bills just over four feet tall. Depending on where a person lives, they can get by pretty comfortably, but things are still financially precarious. Good luck saving up or surviving a layoff.

Interestingly, this stack of fives is tall enough that, according to OSHA guidelines, you should wear safety gear when working here.

High earners: entering serious money

Towering 19 feet up, a quarter million dollars is a lot of money.At $250,000 a year, this stack is enough to endure most of life's typical challenges. Greg Sullivan

Hitting an annual income of $250,000 puts you in the “high earner” category. That’s an 18-foot stack of fives—taller than a two-story house.

Among the fun ways you might get yourself a stack like this are being a drone light-show operator, a high-end stylist, or maybe playing on an NFL team’s practice squad. That’s right… the practice squad will get you about $250,000 a year. Nice work if you can get it!

A millionaire’s earnings: wealth that withstands crises

A million stacked in fives is over 70 feet tall.Getting to the top of a million dollars worth of fives is the sort of problem you can solve if you earn this much. Greg Sullivan

A quarter-million dollars is a lot of money, but it's never been the ultimate dream. After all, the show wasn't called Who Wants to Be a Quarter Millionaire. For generations, a million dollars has held a mythical status. But if you had won that prize on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire’s first season in 1999, today it would be worth only about $550,000 after adjusting for inflation.

A million dollars in five-dollar bills would stack up to about 72 feet. At this level, financial setbacks aren’t life-ruining. If you're taking home this much money a year, inflation or not, you probably live a very enviable life.

A billionaire: money beyond comprehension

A club of billionaires standing atop their wealth. Much like climbing Mount Everest, being a billionaire was something very few people had ever done. Now it's nearly common. Greg Sullivan

A new class of Americans is emerging, and people are starting to take notice. These individuals haven’t just achieved the American Dream of a million dollars, they’ve surpassed it by over a thousand times.

A billion dollars stacked in $5 bills would reach 13.5 miles into the sky, towering higher than Mt. Everest.

In 1916, John D. Rockefeller became the first billionaire in U.S. history. Today, there are 737 billionaires in the country. In the past four years alone, 123 more have joined their ranks, that’s one every 12 days.

Elon Musk: wealth at an astronomical scale

Musk's net worth stacked in fives would exceed 5,200 miles. The view from the top of Elon Musk's stack of money would be literally out of this world. Greg Sullivan

Elon Musk is the richest man in the U.S., with a net worth of about $384 billion as of March 2025—though that number fluctuates depending on when and how you measure it. Stacked in $5 bills, his fortune would soar more than 5,220 miles into the sky. To put that in perspective, his net worth has almost certainly shifted by more than you'll earn in a lifetime in just the time it took you to read this sentence.

If he jumped from the top of his theoretical money stack, he’d fall past the entire GDP of Vermont in just three minutes—assuming he didn’t burn up on reentry or drift into orbit. His fortune towers so high that the International Space Station would orbit far below him. Only the Apollo astronauts have ever been higher.

Why these numbers matter

These towering stacks of money are just a visualization, but they highlight the extreme differences in wealth. When the gap is this wide, it affects everything—economic policy, opportunity, and quality of life for millions.

If we want to address inequality, we first need to understand its scale. Because only when we see the differences clearly can we even begin to close the gap.

Internet

TikTok 'no-buy quarter' trend is inspiring some brilliant ideas to save money in 2025

Viral 'no-buy quarter' hacks show how to avoid spending money for months at a time

Photo by Nina Uhlikova

Going outside is free, and in April your wallet will feel the gains.

As we move into the middle of December and hopefully start winding down the annual holiday spend-a-palooza, many are already looking ahead to their 2025 savings goals. In the spirit of Movember or Dry January — those feel-good challenges that mix self-improvement with a bit of group accountability — TikTok has given us a viral phenomenon: the “no-buy quarter.”

But, as the name implies, this time the challenge goes beyond a single month. Participants commit to three months of reduced spending, with some hardcore enthusiasts even extending it for a whole year! If you went a little too hard on spending during the holiday season, think of this as the perfect detox for your battered finances.

What is a no-buy quarter?

At its core, the no-buy quarter isn't about cutting out essential purchases. Groceries, medical expenses, and other necessities remain untouched. Instead, the goal is to reduce or eliminate non-essential spending. Think fewer splurges on coffee, takeout, home decor, or trendy gadgets.

@MckenzieMack

For TikTok creator @stephen_spann, a no-buy plan begins with making the most of what you already have. “Use up the food we already have before buying more,” Spann advises, noting the often-forgotten freezer items many households accumulate. He also emphasizes tackling beauty and health products stockpiled in bathroom cabinets before succumbing to the allure of the latest trends.

"If I see something new in the store, I get sucked into that... I need to use up what I already have first."

— @stephen_spann

Save with intention

For TikTok creator Mckenzie Mack, the no-buy quarter is a powerful tool for meeting ambitious financial goals. Mack plans to use the first three months of the year to frontload contributions to her 401(k).

@MckenzieMack

Her method? Increasing contributions to 26% during January through March to take advantage of a large bonus and reduce her contribution rate to 6-7% for the rest of the year.

“To max out your 401(k) in 2025, you need to contribute $23,500,” Mack explains. “By committing to a no-buy quarter, I’m ensuring a large chunk of my bonus goes directly toward my 401k.”

"This is a use-it-or-lose-it situation... I’m leaving a little extra in my fun money bucket, but once it’s gone, it’s gone."

— @MckenzieMack

Break free from spending cycles

Both Mack and Spann point out the emotional and behavioral shifts that come with embracing a no-buy lifestyle. Mack recommends cutting down on streaming services and finding joy in low-cost hobbies like hiking or game nights.

@stephen_spann

Spann, on the other hand, calls attention to the subtle temptations of shopping apps and notifications. “Remove shopping apps from your phone,” he says. “They’re just tempting me.”

"Just because I can get it on sale doesn’t mean I should buy it."

— @stephen_spann

Both creators agree that breaking the consumerist cycle is about appreciating what you already own. By doing so, they say, you save money and cultivate contentment.

How to start your own no-buy quarter

If the idea of a no-buy quarter appeals to you, here are some steps to get started:

  • Identify your essentials: Separate necessary expenses (groceries, rent) from discretionary ones.
  • Set clear rules: Decide what’s off-limits — dining out, clothing purchases, or subscription services.
  • Create a goal: Link your savings to something tangible, like paying down debt or increasing your emergency fund.
  • Track progress: Monitor your spending and celebrate milestones, no matter how small.
  • Find support: Share your plan on social media or with friends. Accountability can help you stay motivated.
  • Choose a cheat: Research shows that making a new routine too difficult is a recipe for bailing on it. Choose one spend to keep you sane.

From clearing out freezers and unsubscribing from services to making coffee at home, the no-buy quarter trend is more than a fleeting challenge. It’s a chance to rethink your relationship with money and discover the joys of intentional living.

Whether you take it on for three months or use it as a launchpad for a year of mindful spending, it could be the reset you need to make 2025 your best financial year yet.

Fatherhood

Dad turns his daughter's class president win into a scene straight out of the White House

A fake secret service agent and “Hail to the Chief” made this moment one for the books.

The White House

A hero in a dark suit watches over what matters most.

You might expect a father to feel pride when his daughter wins the election for school president. There might be hugs and smiles. Or, like one father did, you might go in an entirely different direction. When Lydia D. posted a video of her husband’s heartwarming and over-the-top celebration of their daughter’s class president victory on Instagram, it quickly won the internet's heart.

The clip shows her husband going all out to mark the occasion, donning a black suit and sunglasses and pretending to be her Secret Service detail as she gets out of school for the day. With a fake radio hidden in his cuff and "Hail to the Chief" blasting from the car, he transformed an ordinary school pickup into a moment to remember.

In the caption, Lydia D., who originally shared the video, summed it up perfectly:

"If there’s one thing we’re going to do as a family it’s hype each other up!"

— @lydiascrafting

A dad's love and humor steal the show

The video begins with Lydia's husband standing outside their daughter’s school entrance, stone-faced and pretending to communicate into a hidden earpiece. As their daughter approached, he gestured toward the car, where the presidential anthem was blaring from the speakers. The playful scene captured his love for his daughter and his knack for making a milestone unforgettable.

A moment cherished by all

In the video, one of her friends is seen clapping enthusiastically, adding another layer of sweetness to the moment. User @starleishamichelle highlighted this detail, writing: "The way her friend clapped for her too 🤩😭💛."

Of course, her dad’s sense of humor didn’t go unnoticed. Many viewers laughed along, with @ashleigh.harris31 saying: "This is hilarious 😂 and the music blasting too 😂😂." Another user, @magicallymaya, added: "Ok I LOVE this!! Congrats, madame president!"

"The best!!!! Ahhhhhh coolest dad and memories FOREVER to be remembered!! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽."

— @theliteracydive

A call for more moments like this

This story is more than just a laugh—it’s a celebration of family, love, and the joy of lifting each other up. It’s no wonder the internet is buzzing about it. In a world where milestones often pass by in the blink of an eye, Lydia’s husband reminds us all to make memories worth cherishing.

Parenting

Viral toddler nap video proves one thing: The nap always wins

From cranky chaos to random snoozes, here’s why toddlers resist sleep—and how parents can cope.

Photo by Ayşegül Akdaş

We know they're tired, why don't they?

In the timeless struggle between toddlers and naptime, sleep invariably emerges victorious. A viral TikTok video featuring young Stella encapsulates this universal truth, resonating with parents worldwide.

In the clip, shared by Stella's mother, @lobeeston, she recounts how her daughter adamantly insisted she wasn't tired and refused to nap. However, when the family later called out, "Stella, where are you?" they discovered her fast asleep at the foot of the stairs, face down and utterly exhausted. This endearing scene has garnered over 3.9 million views and 700,000 likes, with countless parents sharing their own humorous nap-time battles in the comments.

@lobeeston Took 30 minutes to wake her from this slumber hahah
♬ original sound - Lo Beeston

Why do toddlers resist naps?

Stella's sudden slumber is a familiar scenario for many parents. But what drives toddlers to resist napping?

According to pediatric sleep consultant Camila Martelo, a Pediatric Sleep Consultant, it's a combination of developmental milestones and a desire for independence.

"Toddlers are becoming increasingly aware of their surroundings and may fear missing out on exciting activities or time with family members."

— Camila Martelo

Additionally, as toddlers grow, their sleep patterns evolve. Many transition from two naps to one between 14 and 18 months, and some begin skipping naps altogether between 3 and 5 years old. ( The Baby Sleep Site)

Expert tips for handling nap refusal

Navigating nap resistance can be challenging, but experts offer strategies to ease the process:

  • Establish a consistent, calming pre-nap routine: A soothing and predictable routine helps signal to your toddler that it's time to wind down and prepare for sleep. (Huckleberry Care)
  • Pay attention to timing: Ensure that naps are scheduled appropriately to prevent overtiredness, which can make it harder for toddlers to settle down.
  • Create a calming nap environment: Minimize distractions and create a sleep-friendly environment to help your toddler relax.
  • Offer choices and give them some control: Allowing your toddler to have a say in their nap routine can reduce resistance.
  • Be consistent and patient: Maintaining a consistent approach and being patient can help your toddler adjust to nap times.

While parenting through the toddler years can be exhausting, Stella's nap adventure serves as a humorous reminder to find joy in the chaos. Moments like these—when a defiant "I'm not tired!" ends in an impromptu snooze—become cherished memories.