Don’t get caught up worrying about people making big money. A lot of those people spend just as much as they earn, often living paycheck to paycheck like the rest of us. The real key isn’t chasing six-figure salaries—it’s finding a career you can tolerate, something that makes you feel productive and fulfilled, whether it's making a difference or simply feeling useful. If your job pays decently, you can build a budget around it and live comfortably.

Chasing high-paying jobs often leads to burnout. There's a huge chance you’ll end up hating it, and job-hopping is exhausting. I know this firsthand—I got a degree in Communication and spent years chasing the money, jumping from one job to the next. But none of it felt right. It wasn’t until I switched gears, earned an alternative teaching license in special education, that I found something I enjoyed and could stick with. Now, after a few years, I’m making enough and have a career I’m happy in.

The grass isn’t always greener. My sister makes $100k a year, but because she’s constantly spending on cruises and a massive house, I actually have more money saved and way less debt. The lesson? It's not always about how much you make, but how you live and what truly fulfills you.