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Image-obsessed millennials think it’s important to “look or appear” financially successful more than previous generations — despite many of them struggling with high housing costs, student loanpayments, and compoundingcredit card debt, according to a recent Wells Fargo study.

While 54% of the millennials Wells Fargo surveyed say they’ve been greatly affected by the cost-of-living crisis, 59% of the 28-to-43-year-old age group think it’s important to show off their financial status through the way they dress, the car they drive, and the home they live in.

By comparison, just 35% of Gen Xers, 14% of baby boomers, and 7% of the silent generation feel the same about flaunting their wealth, according to the survey.

This “money dysmorphia,” as dubbed by Intuit Credit Karma, can lead millennials to be so obsessed with flaunting their riches that they bury themselves even deeper in debt, said Emily Irwin, managing director of advice and planning for Wells Fargo.

“Theres a growing trend to present themselves with an image that isnt reflective [of] their actual financial situation,” Irwin told Fortune, which first reported on the survey.

“For some, it could be even be a fake it until you make it mentality.”

What’s even more telling is that Wells Fargo’s study surveyed 1,000 affluent millennials, who make more than $250,000 per year, further proof that lower-income earners aren’t the only ones “grappling with this external image,” Irwin added.

Were living in a world where our net worth seems clickable — anyone can look up what we paid for our homes, handbags, or cars — and, because of this, showcasing a lavish lifestyle can feel more exhilarating than saving,” Irwin told The Post on Thursday.

Wells Fargo found that of the high earners in this age group, nearly one-third buy things they cannot afford to impress others or feel like they “fit in,” while 34% have been guilty of exaggerating their income, savings, or spending to maintain an appearance of financial success.

Irwin suggested millennials reassess how they view their economic situation.

“Tying financial behaviors to short- and long-term goals is the best way to get real about your money story and to make living within your means sexy — on and off TikTok, she said.

That’s not easy. Millennials face the worst economic headwinds in recent history. Stubbornly-high inflation has pushed interest rates to a 22-year high, crippling young would-be homebuyers.

The average interest rate on a 30-year fixed rate mortgage in the US, which is tracked weekly by Freddie Mac, is 6.64% — near a multi-decade high, though the figure has fallen from its 8% peak last October.

Credit card debt is also at an all-time high. Though it’s unclear how many millennials specifically are experiencing borrowing troubles, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said in its third-quarter report released last November that overall debt levels increased by 1.3% during the three-month period, to $17.29 trillion. 

Many millennials are also grappling with student loan payments.

Data from the US Department of Education showed that in October — when payments resumed after a three-year pause — some 40% of the 22 million borrowers did not make their payments.

There are signs that even fewer borrowers made payments in November, despite President Joe Bidens relief programs.

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Polls to open for voters in England and Wales

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Polls to open for voters in England and Wales

Polls are to open for the local elections across the country, with the added extra of a by-election on the same day.

Over 2,600 council seats are up for grabs across 107 councils in England, along with 10 mayoralties in major cities and combined authorities, and 25 London Assembly seats.

A total of 37 police and crime commissioners will also be decided at ballot boxes in England and Wales.

And a new MP will be chosen for the seat of Blackpool South in a by-election.

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Polling stations will be open from 7am until 10pm tonight, and as long as you are in the queue before closing time, you can have your say.

Voters need to bring along a form of photo ID after a change in the law last year – there are 22 types that fit the bill.

And to vote you must be 18 or over, be either a British, Irish or EU citizen, or from an eligible Commonwealth nation, and be registered.

The first of the counts will begin after voting closes tonight and Sky News will bring you all the updates as they happen from across the country.

Further counts will take place over the weekend, with the last results expected on Saturday night.

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US probes Jack Dorsey’s Block, Inc. over financial transactions: Report

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US probes Jack Dorsey’s Block, Inc. over financial transactions: Report

U.S. prosecutors are reportedly investigating the fintech firm after a whistleblower claimed it processed thousands of transactions for users from sanctioned countries and terrorist groups.

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John Swinney expected to declare bid to become new SNP leader

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John Swinney expected to declare bid to become new SNP leader

John Swinney is expected to declare his bid to become the new leader of the SNP later today, Sky News understands.

It comes after Humza Yousaf announced he was standing down as SNP leader and Scotland’s first minister following his decision last week to cut power-sharing ties with the Scottish Greens – a move which saw his leadership collapse.

Mr Swinney previously served as SNP leader between 2000 and 2004; later becoming Nicola Sturgeon’s number two from 2014 to 2023.

He is considered a front-runner for the top job once again, having garnered support from senior figures within his party, including from the SNP’s Westminster leader, Stephen Flynn.

The Perthshire North MSP is expected to make a statement in Edinburgh on Thursday morning.

However, he could face competition from the party’s former finance minister Kate Forbes, who narrowly lost out to Mr Yousaf in last year’s leadership election.

Kate Forbes speaks to the media at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. The SNP is beginning the search for a new leader after a day of drama in Scottish politics saw Humza Yousaf announce his resignation as the country's First Minister. Picture date: Tuesday April 30, 2024.
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Kate Forbes. Pic: PA

Though the Skye, Lochaber, and Badenoch MSP has not confirmed her intention to enter the leadership contest, she has so far refused to rule herself out of the race.

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“I am still considering all the options, but I also know that there is a lot of support for me across the country and across the party, and last year proved that,” she told Sky News on Tuesday.

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Scottish government survives vote of no confidence

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It comes after the outgoing first minister, Mr Yousaf, was forced to resign following the breakdown of the Bute House Agreement.

Within hours of the power-sharing deal coming to an end, Mr Yousaf faced the threat of a no confidence vote in himself, and later from one in the Scottish government.

Humza Yousaf speaks to Sky News
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Humza Yousaf speaking to Sky News

Mr Yousaf stepped down as Scotland’s first minister just after midday on Monday, saying he was “not willing to treat my values and principles or do deals with whomever simply for retaining power”.

He said he would remain in post until a replacement first minister was chosen.

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