Making Six Figures but Still Feeling Behind with Jackson Larimer | Ep 52

Making six figures but still feeling behind financially can be confusing and frustrating. On the Real Money, Real Life™ podcast, Linda Grizely and Jackson Larimer explain why earning more money does not automatically create clarity, stability, or financial progress. The answer is not always that you need to make more. Your spending, systems, expectations, and financial behavior may not have caught up with your income yet. What if you are earning more than you ever expected but still have little to show for it? How do you know whether you are truly behind or comparing yourself to an unrealistic benchmark? Jackson shares how earning six figures as a college student changed his understanding of money and happiness, why he left a comfortable corporate job to build a financial coaching business, and how careful preparation made that decision possible. Linda Grizely and Jackson also break down lifestyle inflation, delayed gratification, financial education, and the unique personal finance challenges small business owners face. You'll hear why separating business and personal finances matters, how a consistent owner's salary can bring stability to variable income, and why a tax deduction does not make an unnecessary expense free. Real Money, Real Life™ is about real financial decisions, not perfect ones. Making six figures but still feeling behind does not automatically mean you are failing. It may mean your money needs more direction and your systems need to catch up with the life you are building. 💡 We talk about: • Understanding why a higher income does not eliminate money stress • Deciding whether you are truly behind financially • Managing lifestyle inflation after your income increases • Creating financial structure with unpredictable business income ⏱ Timestamps (00:00) Why making more money may not solve money stress (02:19) Leaving a corporate career to start a business (04:23) Designing a career around the life you want (06:13) Preparing financially before quitting your job (08:19) Learning about money and opportunity in Guatemala (12:12) Why six figures remains a financial benchmark (13:07) Making six figures without feeling happier (15:13) High earners who are not rich yet (16:20) Earning money and managing money are different skills (17:33) Delayed gratification and long-term financial progress (18:43) Making financial decisions for your future self (19:19) How to know whether you are actually behind (21:41) Starting early and learning how investing works (23:04) Why investment growth feels slow at first (24:30) Financial challenges for small business owners (25:08) Separating business and personal finances (26:04) Financial strategies self-employed people may overlook (28:15) Living within your means with variable income (29:15) Paying yourself a consistent business salary (30:42) Lifestyle inflation at higher income levels (32:30) When old money beliefs no longer match your life (33:18) Treating business expenses like real expenses (35:16) How to connect with Jackson Larimer (35:59) Turning income into stability and choices 🔗 Connect with Jackson Website: https://jacksonlarimer.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackson-larimer/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@moneywithjackson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moneywithjackson/ Resources: https://jacksonlarimer.beehiiv.com/ 🔗 Connect with Linda Website: https://www.LindaGriz.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindagrizely Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelindagrizely LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-grizely YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LindaGrizely TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lindagrizely Resources: https://www.lindagriz.com/resources ℹ️ Disclosures Real Money, Real Life™ is hosted & produced by Linda Grizely Ventures, LLC. Linda Grizely, CFP®, is an Investment Adviser Representative of Nectarine Financial, Inc., an SEC-registered investment adviser. Linda Grizely Ventures, LLC is separate from & unaffiliated w/ Nectarine. The views expressed on this podcast are those of the individuals expressing them & do not necessarily reflect the views of Linda Grizely, Linda Grizely Ventures, LLC, or Nectarine. Guests may express opinions or discuss strategies that are their own & should not be considered recommendations or personalized advice. This podcast is provided for informational, educational, & entertainment purposes only & should not be construed as personalized investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any securities or financial products. Listeners should consult their own financial, legal, or tax professionals regarding their specific situation. For additional disclosures, please visit: https://hellonectarine.com & https://www.lindagriz.com/disclaimers