If you’ve ever thought, “I make good money, so why does it still feel like I’m behind?” — this one’s for you.
Because here’s the truth:
Most high-earning women don’t have a money problem. Frankly, they would not be considered high earning if they were.
It’s not a money problem, but a money plan or strategy problem.
The reason I know this is because at one point, that was me.
I was climbing the career ladder, a pretty good salary, and all the external indicators of success, but only I knew that something was off. While I was working hard, I couldn’t clearly see where my money was going. All I knew was my savings was getting lower and lower while my debt steadily climbed.
While I wanted a raise, I realized that I needed to do something now. I needed a reset.
If you’ve been feeling the same way, this article will highlight five signs that you need a money reset also.
1. You’re Making More, But Not Keeping More
If your paycheck has grown but your peace about where you stand financially hasn’t, that’s your first sign.
Your income has increased but somehow your bank balance hasn’t caught up. Does that sound familiar?
That’s not a math issue. It may be a management issue. Now, I’m not going to ignore that inflation does play a role in this, but sometimes we need to take an honest assessment of what we are doing with our money, especially when we get more money.
When income rises without intention, lifestyle creep slides right on in. Before you know it, the car is upgraded or you “need” a better apartment. The next-level lifestyle becomes normalized. What used to be a treat, is now the new standard. And don’t get me wrong, you definitely should enjoy yourself and celebrate your accomplishments.
The issue comes when the new normal doesn’t include a higher contribution to the things that will make you money in the future. The new normal is just transferring the same habits that had you in a tight spot before. The reason is because the immediate purchases have an instant gratification whereas allocating money to investments require delayed gratification or a longer term strategy. If this has happened to you, you need a reset.
2. You Don’t Have a Clear Picture of Where Your Money Is Going
Managing your money in your head is a losing strategy.
Have you ever heard someone say, ‘I got it all up here’ as they point to their brain. Now some people do have an amazing memory capacity but most people do not. And because you are busy, trying to keep up with your money in your head with a million other thoughts each day is unnecessary and ineffective.
You are losing time, money, and energy with this strategy. The most you may recall is that money came in, and money went out.
Where? That’s a great question because by the end of the month you do not remember what you purchased at the beginning.
The transactions become hazy and they all start to blur together. This is another sign that is time for a money reset. Because when you have clarity, you can control it. If you don’t know what it is doing, then it is running wild….guaranteed.
3. You’re Saving Randomly (and Not Strategically)
Most people know that they should save because it is the responsible thing to do. However, most do not know that even your savings plan should be strategic. If you do save, just putting aside a small amount here or there and even in different accounts with no real strategy, is still not the best option that you can choose.
Yes, it is great to save. Don’t get me wrong because I was always encouraging people to make saving a habit, but if you are ready to take it to the next level (which you should be because you are reading this), then your savings should have a structure. There should be a system that enables you to make progress towards your financial goals systematically and automatically.
But if you are saving money but still feel unprepared and unorganized, then you need a money reset.
4. You Don’t Have a Plan for Growing Your Money
If your money is not earning while you sleep, you are working harder than you need to.
As I mentioned above, saving is a wonderful habit to have, but saving alone won’t build wealth. Inflation can erode your savings interest rates, expenses rise, and opportunities pass.
Most people don’t invest because they’re afraid, not because they can’t. They fear losing money or because they don’t know enough. They also question if they are starting too late, but what you must realize is that waiting has a cost too and it’s usually higher than the risk you’re avoiding.
There is this concept of playing to win versus playing not to lose. When you choose not to invest in opportunities, you are playing the game hoping not to lose, but what is ironic is that when you position yourself this way, you definitely don’t win and more common is you don’t lose as much, but you still lose.
How many of you know the fans in the stands at the stadium don’t get paid (exclusive of sports betting. Lol That’s another topic.). It is the people on the field who actually reap the benefits of the game. While there is only one team that can win that game, they don’t even stand a chance if they were not committed to being on the field. It’s the same concept with your money. If you don’t have a plan to grow your money, you won’t. You are sitting in the stands, playing not to lose; hoping that you can make it. This my friend, is another sign that it is time for a reset.
5. Your Financial Goals Haven’t Been Updated to Match Your Current Life
When was the last time that you reviewed your financial goals?
If you have financial goals, are they based on what you currently want in life or the vision that you have for the future? If you do not conduct a periodic review of your goals, you may still be chasing goals that belong to an older version of yourself.
Over time, your priorities change. At one stage, you may have been focused on buying your first home but now you want passive income. Another example is you were once focused solely on paying off debt, but now you want to actually build wealth. Note: they are not the same, but I can discuss that in another post.
If your money plan has not evolved then it won’t help you get to the current version or future vision that you see for yourself. Again, it’s time for a reset.
Final Thoughts: It’s Not Too Late for a Reset
So there you have it. Five signs that your money needs a reset.
Before you go throwing the baby out with the bath water, slow down. You don’t need to start over. You just need to start again, but this time, with clarity and strategy.
Just because you may have to reset doesn’t mean you failed. It means you are paying attention. It means you now have an opportunity to change course and get back on track.
Sometimes, life changes faster than our money plan and that’s okay. The real power is in realizing when it’s time to pause, re-evaluate, and realign.
If you are ready to reset your money plan before the new year, I’d love to guide you through it.
Join me for The Money Reset Online Training. This is a live experience designed to help high-earning women create a clear, confident, and purpose-driven plan so their income starts working for them.
Because it’s not just about making money anymore, it’s about mastering it.
Click the link to save your spot for The Money Reset Training.