Let’s talk about money (for real)

I warned you this one might be a little controversial.

Because today… we’re talking about money. Not in the motivational, “get rich quick” way.

Not in the sterile finance-buzzword way. But in the real, human way — the way it actually feels when you know you’re worth more… but your payslip hasn’t caught up yet.

Let’s start with a truth most people never admit out loud: We all want money. And wanting more of it doesn’t make you greedy — it makes you awake.

The only people who ever say “money doesn’t matter” are the ones who already have enough of it. If you’re ambitious, if you’ve worked hard, if you’re pushing to break into finance — it’s not because you want a fancy title.

It’s because you want freedom. Freedom from debt. Freedom to choose. Freedom to take care of the people you love.

And finance, unlike almost any other field, gives you that chance fast — if you know how to play it right. Here’s the cleanest way to see what’s at stake.

Let’s use a simple example of what you’re capable of this year: let’s say a $120,000 role (think investment banking or a strong corporate finance seat).

Compare that to where you are now and look at the monthly gap.

Example: If you’re on $50,000/yr → the gap is $70,000/yr ≈ $5,833 you’re wasting every month you don’t make the switch. That’s not theory. That’s cash flow.

Imagine physically setting aside $4k–$8k on the first of each month and lighting it on fire. (Hurts to even imagine in my head) Because functionally, that’s what delay does. And it isn’t just the obvious gap.

When you’re not in that $120k seat, you’re also missing:

- The next raise off the higher base

- The bonus momentum that compounds year to year

- The faster ladder that opens once you’re actually inside finance

So one year of waiting isn’t “just” $50k–$70k. Add the missed raise and bonus curve and it can easily push past $100k over 18–24 months.

Quiet losses add up fast. And don’t forget, that we don’t live forever and our time is limited, so every month you’re not moving forward - you steal your future from yourself.

Every time you’re afraid to get out of your comfort zone - you’re burning money Every time you’re afraid to take a risk - you’re burning money I can go on and on, but I’m not trying to make you upset…

But let’s use a different comparison most people avoid.

Look at what we routinely accept as “normal” investments:

- Multi-year university degrees that cost $10k–$150k, put you in debt, and guarantee absolutely nothing

- Investing in the S&P 500 yields ~10% in a good year; but specifically at your stage, lifting earning capacity (active income) can easily yield you more than 50–100%

- Spending $5k+ on trips, that feel good for a month and return nothing

That’s why I’m a big believer in modern mentorships. Because at the 10% of the price of a university and sometimes the 10% of the time - you get to accelerate your journey by years, by using experience of someone who is already in the point where you want to be in life/career, and avoiding their mistakes on the way.

If closing a $50k–$70k annual gap is real for you, then anything that accelerates that switch has an outsized ROI. That’s the point.

And yes — it’s okay to say the quiet part out loud: wanting to earn more is a good reason to pursue finance.

Not just to get paid well now, but to start building wealth that compounds after year one.

The sooner you step onto the higher curve, the sooner everything else gets easier: savings rate, options, security for your family, real upside.

Here’s the part I want you to sit with. In six months, your situation can be different.

The gap can be gone.

You can stop losing that $4k–$8k every month and start compounding in the right direction. It’s not about perfection, it’s about deciding you’re done paying this big ignorance tax bill every month.