You’ve finally paid off the last bit of your apartment.
Your income is solid—nearly double what your friends earn.
So why do you still feel broke at the end of each month?
This isn’t a rare story. In fact, it’s one of the most common themes that comes up in my private coaching sessions and workshops. Earning more doesn’t automatically mean saving more—especially when your spending habits adapt to your income without intention.
So before you go downloading four new money saving apps, let’s unpack what’s really going on here.
The Silent Shame of the High Earner
A 29-year-old professional wrote in to me, sharing this exact dilemma.
He had spent two years funnelling every euro into finishing his apartment. Fair enough. That kind of investment can consume your attention and resources. But now that it’s mostly complete, something unexpected is happening.
Even without the big apartment expenses…
His money still disappears.
“There always seems to be some kind of big expense that takes away money that could be saved,” he wrote.
“It’s making me feel helpless.”
And here’s the painful part — his friends, who earn far less, are somehow managing to save.
Cue the shame spiral.
The irony? Shame is one of the biggest blockers to taking action. When we feel embarrassed about where we’re at financially, we tend to either avoid it or overcompensate by pushing ourselves even harder. Neither of those approaches leads to better savings. What does? A compassionate, structured reset.
Income Is Not the Problem. The Plan Is.
Let me tell you something I learnt the hard way.
A few years ago, I finished paying off my car loan — €200 a month. My plan? Redirect that money straight into savings.
But I didn’t do it right away.
I thought, “Let me breathe a little first.”
That €200 got absorbed into daily life so fast I barely noticed. And after a few months, I looked at my accounts and thought: Where did it all go?
If you don’t actively reassign your money, it will find new ways to vanish.
This is where the myth of “just earn more” falls flat. Income is only half the equation. Without structure and systems, lifestyle inflation will quietly eat away your financial potential.
Step One: Pay Yourself First (Even If It’s €50)
The key is this:
Automate your savings before your spending begins.
Start small. Even €50 at the beginning of the month.
Don’t wait until the end of the month to see what’s left. Because chances are, there won’t be much.
Once you get into the rhythm, increase it gradually. From my work with clients, I’ve seen this method snowball into significant savings—even from people who once thought they “weren’t good with money.”
You can even gamify the process. Use money saving apps with built-in challenges or auto-save features. Some apps help you create savings goals with visual trackers—so instead of feeling like you’re sacrificing, you feel like you’re progressing.
Step Two: Use Money Saving Apps—But With a Strategy
Yes, money saving apps can help—but they won’t save you if your mindset is off.
Here are a few that can help:
- Revolut Vaults – great for rounding up daily purchases into savings
- YNAB (You Need a Budget) – perfect if you want a budgeting system with purpose
- Plum or Emma – to track subscriptions, spending trends, and automate saving
Apps can help you spot patterns you ignore, highlight small leaks in your budget, or even coach you via notifications and spending alerts. But don’t just download them—commit to checking them weekly.
Treat your money like a business. You wouldn’t run a company without reviewing the numbers. Why run your life that way?
Step Three: Redefine “Needs” vs “Wants”
One powerful coaching exercise I give my clients is this:
Go through your last 30 days of expenses. Label every transaction as a “need” or a “want.”
Then… go deeper.
Is that €150 dinner a need because it was a celebration, or a want born out of stress?
Is that online course a want because it’s “extra,” or a need because it aligns with your long-term growth?
Clarity creates confidence.
And confidence builds consistency.
Add to that the visibility from a money saving app, and suddenly your financial blind spots become decision points.
Final Word: You’re Not Alone
If you’re a high earner and still feel like you’re financially stuck—you’re not broken.
You’re just at the point where strategy needs to catch up with income.
Start with a simple plan. Automate it. Track it. And if you need a nudge, let a good money saving app give you that visibility and control—just don’t expect it to do the work for you.
You’ve worked hard to earn what you do.
Now let your money work just as hard for you.
💬 Want to Finally Feel in Control of Your Money?
Let’s talk. In just 30 minutes, we can build a simple plan to help you go from high income, no savings to high income, high confidence.
👉 Book a free discovery session here
Author: Luca Caruana
———————— About the Author: Luca Caruana
Hi, I’m Luca, a Certified Money Coach, dedicated to helping individuals break free from limiting beliefs and build lasting wealth.
My proven strategies empower clients to break free from financial constraints and confidently navigate the world of money—whether it’s managing budgets, making savvy investments, or pursuing new financial opportunities.
With over a decade of hands-on experience in personal finance and mindset coaching, I’ve guided countless clients through the process of transforming their financial narratives. My approach combines deep psychological insights with practical financial tactics, ensuring that each client not only learns how to manage money effectively but also develops the mindset necessary to truly thrive. I’ve seen firsthand how a positive money mindset can be the game-changer that propels you toward financial freedom and a more fulfilling life.
Let me show you how to harness the power of your beliefs to create a future filled with opportunity and prosperity. Let’s talk and start transforming your financial future today.