We’ve all had that moment where we think, “If we could just make a little more, things would finally feel easier.”


I get it, Jeremy and I have been there too.


Maybe you’ve felt it too, that quiet pressure to earn more, hoping it’ll finally bring breathing room.

Or maybe your income has grown, but somehow the peace you were hoping for didn’t follow.


But here’s something I’ve noticed, both in our own story and in the lives of people I talk with about money: we all want to believe more income will bring relief.


The first year our income grew, we thought that would be the turning point. But instead of relief, we felt new layers of stress and expectations.

That’s when I started to realize: more money doesn’t automatically fix money stress.

In fact, without clarity and systems, it can sometimes make the pressure even heavier.

When More Isn’t Enough

Somewhere along the way, most of us picked up the message: “If you earn more, things will finally feel easier.”

It sounds logical, right? But if the foundation beneath your money habits isn’t solid, earning more often magnifies the cracks instead of fixing them.

You’ve probably heard stories of lottery winners or celebrities who made millions, only to lose it all. While the exact statistics are hard to verify, researchers have found that sudden income spikes, like professional athletes experience, often don’t lead to lasting financial security. In fact, one study found that about 16% of NFL players filed for bankruptcy within twelve years of retiring (Global Financial Literacy Excellence Center).

It’s not about intelligence or success, it’s about awareness.

And I see the same pattern on a smaller scale all the time:

Couples with good jobs and steady income who still feel stressed because their money doesn’t have a plan.

The Real Root of the Stress

Most money stress doesn’t actually come from how much you earn, it comes from living day to day without a way to manage your money in a way that fits real life.

When you’re constantly reacting instead of creating and following a plan, it’s easy to feel uncertain and anxious.


You’re not sure where your money’s going or whether your spending reflects what matters most to you. And at the end of the month, you're left wondering where all your money went.

That lack of clarity creates stress, even when the numbers look fine on paper.


Without systems that work for your lifestyle, even a higher income can lead to chaos.

Money starts to feel like something that’s always slipping through your fingers, no matter how much you make.



The truth is, without clarity, even a good income can leave you feeling anxious and unprepared.


You end up working harder but still worrying, earning more but not feeling free.

And it’s not because you’re failing, it’s because no one ever taught you how to build a system that actually works for your real life.

Sometimes It Is an Income Issue

It’s also important to be real, sometimes the problem is income. If your basic needs aren’t being met, earning more can absolutely make a difference.

But here’s the key: you won’t know which problem you’re solving unless you can see the full picture.

Clarity helps you tell the difference between “I need to make more” and “I need to manage what I have differently.”


When you can see your money clearly, you can make decisions that actually serve your family’s goals, instead of reacting to the stress of not knowing.

Why Clarity Changes Everything

Peace with money doesn’t come from a bigger paycheck, it comes from understanding where you are, where you want to go, and how to bridge the gap through small, consistent steps that bring your plan to life.

→ Awareness turns your money into a tool that supports your life, instead of running it.

→ Clarity gives you confidence.

→ Systems bring consistency.

→ Follow-through builds the habits that make peace sustainable.

Try this: take a quick look at your last few bank transactions. Do they reflect what matters most to you, or just what was urgent in the moment?

Awareness is always the first step toward peace.

Not sure where to start gaining clarity?

If you’re not sure where to start gaining clarity, I’ve created a free guide to help you take those first small steps.

My free guide: 3 Simple Steps to Stop Stressing About Money includes simple, actionable ideas you can implement right away to start seeing your money clearly and feeling more confident about your next steps.

If You’re Ready for More Personalized Support

That’s exactly what my Money Map Clarity Session is designed to help you do.

In this 90-minute session, we’ll walk through your finances together so you can finally see what’s working, what’s not, and what small changes could make the biggest difference.

You’ll leave with practical next steps, a sense of direction, and that deep breath of relief that comes from seeing your situation clearly.


Most people tell me they walk away feeling lighter, hopeful, and back in control.


If that sounds like what you’ve been needing, it all begins with a free 20-minute Q&A Call, a chance to exhale, talk about what feels heavy, and see if the Clarity Session is the right next step for you.

Book Your Free Q&A Call

Building a Healthier Relationship with Money

Money is meant to serve you, not the other way around.

When you understand it, plan with purpose, and invite it to align with your values, it becomes a tool for peace and growth.

Earning more can help, but it’s not what brings peace.

Awareness does.

Clarity does.

Systems in place that reflect your priorities does.

So, before you chase “more,” pause and look closer.

Sometimes the peace you’ve been searching for isn’t waiting in your next raise, it’s sitting quietly in the clarity you haven’t had yet.

And peace doesn’t come from just knowing what to do, it comes from doing it, one small, clear step at a time.

Earning more isn’t the same as understanding your money.

And once you learn to see it clearly, that’s where the shift can begin to happen.

Here’s to finding peace in clarity, building strong finances, and creating a life you love,

Christi 💛

✨ Ready to see your finances clearly?

Book your Q&A Call and take the first step toward a simpler, more peaceful relationship with money, one that supports your values, goals, and family mission.