4 Subtle Signs Reveal If You’re ‘Doing Well,’ According to Finance Experts

A man’s video highlighting the four signs that a person is financially stable has gone viral online, leading Newsweek to ask the experts for their takes.

Humphrey Yang shared a TikTok video (@humphreytalks) on August 4, outlining the four signs that a person is “doing well financially.” The first is being able to cover a $1,000 emergency expense; second is having no high-interests debt (excluding a mortgage); followed by not buying designer goods and building wealth quietly; and lastly is the ability to save around 15 percent of gross income.

The video has captured attention online, going viral with almost 3 million views and more than 92,000 likes on TikTok at the time of writing.

Newsweek contacted Yang via email for comment.

Reaching these goals each month can be truly important, as certified financial planner Melissa Murphy Pavone told Newsweek that they offer “a layer of security.” Whether it is an unexpected cost arriving at your doorstep or being able to plan for the future, this level of stability offers peace of mind and a healthy foundation.

Pavone, founder of Mindful Financial Partners, said: “When you hit all four goals, you’re not just surviving; you’re building. And that’s what real financial stability looks like. Financial stability isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress. And small, consistent steps can take you a long way.”

Being able to cover a $1,000 emergency expense may not solve everything, but Pavone said that it indicates a level of short-term “financial resilience.” She added that she encourages clients to have between three and six months of living expenses saved up, preferably in a high-yield money market account.

Bankrate’s 2025 annual Emergency Savings Report found that 46 percent of U.S. adults have enough emergency savings to cover three months of expenses, while 24 percent have no emergency savings whatsoever.

Bankrate’s data also reveals that 60 percent of Americans feel uncomfortable with their level of emergency savings, and only 13 percent are very comfortable.

Saving 15 percent of one’s monthly income is a good rule of thumb, but Pavone said that this figure varies depending on age, income, and where someone is in life.

Indeed, the key lies within “building the habit,” Pavone added.

She continued: “I’d encourage people to define stability in the context of their own lives. For one person, it might mean traveling once a year without guilt. For another, it could be supporting kids through college debt-free. Numbers matter, but so does the why behind your goals.”

J. Michael Fischer Jr., managing director at DBD Investment and the host of the Going Beyond the Deal podcast, told Newsweek that these four signs offer a solid foundation, but he added that people should think on an even-deeper level.

Sure, saving a certain percentage of your gross income is useful, but Fischer Jr. said that it is important to consider the reason why you are saving. What is it that you’re hoping to achieve in the future by being savvy now?

Fischer Jr. said: “What’s the goal? Are you buying freedom? Building a legacy? Preparing for a business opportunity? The savings rate matters, but the clarity of purpose behind it matters more.

“These signs are directionally solid, but real financial stability isn’t about checking off a list. It’s about having clarity, control, and confidence in your financial decisions.”

Whether it is being debt-free or building wealth quietly, Fischer Jr. said he sees the merit in both, but believes that they are even more nuanced. There is a difference between good debt and bad debt—you don’t want credit card bills or personal loan repayments arriving at your door, but certain business debt or real estate can accelerate growth when “leveraged wisely.”

As for those flashy purchases, you don’t need to avoid them entirely, but they should come only as rewards after making healthy financial decisions.

The United Nations Federal Credit Union recommends following the 50/30/20 rule. This means 50 percent of money goes toward needs (such as bills, housing, groceries); 30 percent toward wants (subscriptions, social life and vacations); and 20 percent toward savings.

“If you’ve worked hard and have your bases covered—emergency fund, no bad debt, consistent saving—then, by all means, enjoy the rewards. The key isn’t avoiding nice things; it’s making sure you’re not all flash and no cash,” Fischer Jr. continued.

All four signs are good markers of a financially responsible individual, but Pavone and Fischer Jr. both said that stability goes even further. It’s not just about the here and now, but, rather, building long-term goals for a positive future.

Yang’s video has certainly generated plenty of interest and sparked debate on TikTok, leading to more than 2,000 comments on the post so far.

One comment reads: “Sounds like most of us are not doing well financially.”

Another TikTok user wrote: “I have all 4 signs covered. Yet I do not feel comfortable financially.”

A third person added: “This made me feel a lot better about my fiscal responsibility.”

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