High Earner, yet Still Broke? Here’s Why—and What to Do About It

If you're earning a six-figure salary (or more) and still feel like there's never quite enough money left at the end of the month, you're far from being alone. It's a quiet frustration shared by many successful professionals: you’re working hard, earning well, yet constantly wondering, "Why doesn't it feel like enough?"

This feeling often leads to guilt, shame or even embarrassment. After all, shouldn't a high income mean you're financially secure? The truth is, your income is just one piece of the puzzle. If you don't have a plan for your money, even the most impressive salary can slip right through your fingers. (BTW, this is true whether you make $200,000, or $2,000,000! You can still be stretched thin if there is no plan )

Let’s unpack why this happens and explore some easy, practical ways to get back on track—without cutting all the joy out of your life or giving up your hard-earned comforts.

There’s something many people don’t talk about when it comes to earning more: the unspoken expectation that once you "make it," money stress just disappears. In reality, what often increases alongside your income is your spending. That new job or raise might lead to a larger home, a nicer car, more travel, or other well-deserved upgrades. And while there’s absolutely nothing wrong with enjoying the fruits of your labor, without a clear structure, it becomes all too easy to overspend even a generous paycheck.

This phenomenon is often referred to as "lifestyle creep," and it sneaks in subtly. Maybe it starts with eating out more often, joining the gym with the spa and eucalyptus towels, or signing your kids up for the best programs. Individually, these don’t seem like major decisions—but together, they can silently inflate your monthly expenses to the point where there's little left over for savings, investing, or just feeling financially at ease. 

Many of my clients come to me saying things like, "I make good money, but it feels like it disappears as soon as it's deposited," or "We make too much to feel this stressed." That disconnect is real, and it's not because you're bad with money. It’s often because the systems around your money haven’t caught up to your income. Or, simply, there are no systems or sound financial habits currently in place. 

You might be in this cycle if you find yourself relying on credit cards more than you'd like, feeling uneasy about your spending but unsure where to cut back, or realizing you don’t really know how much you save (or spend) month-to-month. These aren’t signs of failure—they’re signals that it might be time for a reset.

The first step is getting curious, not critical. A simple financial audit—just reviewing your spending from the last month or two—can be eye-opening. Often, we underestimate how much goes toward convenience, small recurring expenses, or habits that we have. When we take a look back at these without judgement, we realize that our spending doesn’t feel aligned with what truly matters most to us. Somehow, we have spent money on things that really don’t matter as much, and may just have lost sight of our true priorities. 

From there, it’s about creating a conscious spending plan—one that reflects your values, not someone else's idea of success. Spending is best when it reflects your goals and your priorities. This doesn’t mean cutting everything fun; it means being clear on what brings you joy, and directing your money accordingly. Maybe you realize you're okay spending less on takeout so you can travel more. Or you decide to pause a few subscriptions so you can put more toward building your emergency fund. It may mean you would prefer to have a sit down lunch with coworkers just on Fridays instead of every day, so that your kids can participate in dance lessons or football. 

Automating your savings and investments can also bring peace of mind. When you set it and forget it, you're ensuring your future self is taken care of—without the mental load of remembering every month. This can be true for monthly bills as well, while being mindful of due dates and pay days. Not only does this calm things down, but it's helps to cut down on the decisions you need to make each day, week, or month. Decision fatigue is real. 

And if all of this feels overwhelming or you're not sure where to start, that’s okay. Getting support from a financial coach or someone you trust can be a game-changer. You don’t have to figure it out alone.

Most of my clients will do one discovery session with me and can be consistent with the changes moving forward and do so on their own. While others, take a little time to get into the groove so they find that the added support helps to reinforce this transitional mode into solid habits. There is no right or wrong way to do this, it really is a matter of making small changes that add up to incredible financial success.

Earning more money should give you freedom, not more stress. With a few intentional shifts and a little support, you can feel confident and clear about your finances again—and finally enjoy the life you're working so hard to build.

If that sounds like something you’re ready for, I’d love to help. The Money Mastery Blueprint is designed for high earners who want less stress and more alignment when it comes to their money. Schedule a free call and also sign up for our monthly newsletter to stay updated and knowledgeable with all things money by clicking here!