The ‘peer wealth gap’ is familiar to many of us, particularly as we rebuild our lives after the pandemic. Of course, it’s nothing new – it was perfectly illustrated by an episode of Friends in the 1990s. When the six go out for a meal in a swanky restaurant, the less-affluent Joey, Phoebe and Rachel order tap water and the cheapest side dishes, while the others choose freely from the menu. When Ross divides the bill equally, an awkward conversation ensues. ‘I just never think of money as an issue,’ Ross shrugs, to which Rachel retorts, ‘That’s because you have it.’
Money can
