Stanley and Danko argue that your total net worth alone does not tell a good enough picture of one's wealth, what matters is how much worth you can accumulate on your income considering your own age. Therefore, a 30 year old making $ 25,000 who has a net worth of $ 80,000 has more relative wealth than a 50 year old doctor making $ 200,000 a year who is only worth $500,000.