Why Do I Always Feel Like I Never Have Enough Money?
Why Do I Always Feel Like I Never Have Enough Money?
A practical guide for couples with young kids who want to get ahead financially, stop the stress, and build a life of security—together.
Let’s be honest—money stress is exhausting.
You’re working hard, the kids are growing fast (and somehow outgrowing clothes every three months), and even though you’re bringing in a decent income between the two of you, it never seems to be enough.
You’re not alone.
Thousands of Australian couples in their 30s and 40s with young children feel stuck in that same loop:
“We earn OK… but where is it all going?”
Today, we’re going to unpack exactly why you feel like you never have enough money, and more importantly, what you can actually do about it.
This isn’t just theory—we’re diving into real, practical steps that have helped hundreds of couples regain control, reduce stress, and finally feel like they’re getting ahead.
The Real Reason You Feel Like You Never Have Enough Money
It’s not (usually) because you’re lazy, bad with money, or not earning enough.
It comes down to three root issues:
Lack of clarity on cashflow
Disconnection between your spending and your goals
Living reactively instead of proactively with money
Let’s walk through each of these and then give you some straightforward, doable action steps to change the story.
1. You Don’t Know Where Your Money Is Going
Here’s the truth: most people don’t track their money. Not properly.
They look at their bank balance, not their actual spending behaviour.
When you’re raising kids, working, and juggling everything else, it’s easy to fall into “just tap and hope” mode. But without visibility, you’re flying blind.
We often hear this from couples:
“We don’t spend that much!”
But when we sit down and do the numbers? There's $1,000 to $2,500 a month just… disappearing. Usually on:
Food delivery and impulse groceries
Kid-related “emergencies” (translation: birthday parties and extra soccer gear)
Subscriptions and forgotten direct debits
Spontaneous treats (because “we’ve had a big week”)
Small leaks sink big ships.
What to do about it:
Do a 30-day money map
Go back through the last 30 days of transactions (yes, all of them) and categorise where your money actually went. This step alone can be a game-changer.Automation with bank account “buckets”
Separate your money into different accounts (Must Pay, Rewards Now, Future Rewards) so you can’t accidentally overspend. We teach this system in depth in our Wealth Together course.
2. Your Money Isn’t Aligned With What Matters Most
Money is emotional. Especially in a relationship.
And when you’re not on the same page with your partner about your goals, values, and what you’re working toward—money becomes a source of tension, not teamwork.
Here’s what happens:
You’re spending to survive the day (school drop-offs, takeaways, last-minute gifts)
You don’t have a clear, shared vision of what financial security looks like for your family
You feel guilty for spending, even though you’re not sure what you should be saving for
That feeling of “never enough” often isn’t about the amount.
It’s about the disconnect between what you want and what your money is doing.
What to do about it:
Have a “Dream & Plan” date night
Pour a wine (or a cuppa), sit down together, and ask:What kind of life are we trying to build in 5–10 years?
What does financial peace look like for us?
What do we want to give our kids—experiences, stability, education?
Set 3 shared goals
Choose one short-term (6–12 months), one mid-term (1–3 years), and one long-term (5–10 years). Then start putting small amounts toward those goals weekly. It’s not about how much—it’s about momentum.
3. You’re Living in “Reaction Mode”
Many couples are caught in what we call reactive finance.
You earn… you spend… and you hope it works out.
Then the car rego is due, and it’s a scramble.
The dishwasher breaks, and it goes on the credit card.
School holidays come, and it’s panic-budgeting.
When everything is reactive, you never feel ahead. And that leads to the emotional weight of:
“Why can’t we ever catch a break?”
What to do about it:
Start a Life Buffer Fund
This is your cushion for the non-monthly expenses that always sneak up. We suggest a separate bank account with a goal of $2,000–$5,000 depending on your lifestyle.Build a Weekly Money Ritual
Sit down together for 20 minutes every week and check in:What bills are coming up?
What’s in each account?
What are we prioritising this week?
These habits create financial rhythm—the antidote to chaos.
A Note for Parents: Kids Make Money More Emotional
If you’re raising young kids, you’re in one of the most financially demanding seasons of life.
Childcare costs
Reduced income during parental leave
Constant growth spurts and activity fees
The pressure to “give them a good life”
Here’s what I want you to know: you’re not failing. You’re just in a high-output season.
The goal right now isn’t perfection. It’s progress.
You’re building a foundation—for your kids and yourselves. And every small step you take adds up.
5 Habits That Help Couples Feel In Control of Their Money
If you want to stop feeling like there’s never enough, these 5 habits are the key:
Automate your priorities
Set up automatic transfers the day after payday—for savings, bills, and investing. That way, your money goes where you want it to, not just where it’s easiest to spend.Separate your spending
Have a “daily expenses” account and a “bills” account. That way, when you tap your card, you know exactly what you’re spending—and not accidentally dipping into bill money.Talk about money weekly
Regular, small check-ins beat the once-a-year budget blowup. Make it part of your family rhythm.Track your net worth
This is a powerful shift—measuring progress by what you keep and build, not just what you earn.Invest in financial education, together
Most of us didn’t learn this stuff growing up. And if you want to build wealth as a team, you need to learn as a team.
Why This Feeling Matters—And Why It’s Time to Change It
When you constantly feel like money is tight, even when it shouldn’t be, it erodes confidence. It creates stress, arguments, and that nagging sense of “we’re doing something wrong.”
But you’re not broken. You’re just missing a system—a shared financial rhythm that gives you:
Clear sight over your money
Confidence in your decisions
Peace of mind that you're moving forward
You can have that. And we can show you how.
Want to Master This as a Couple?
If you're ready to stop feeling like you're falling behind and start building wealth together—without the stress and spreadsheet overwhelm—then I invite you to join our flagship course for couples:
Wealth Together
Inside Wealth Together, you’ll learn:
How to design a shared money system that fits your life
How to manage cashflow in real time with simple tools
How to get on the same page financially without fights
How to create lasting habits that move you toward wealth
It’s everything I wish I had when we were juggling nappies, sleep deprivation, and wondering where the hell our money was going.
Final Thoughts
The feeling of “never enough” doesn’t go away by earning more.
It goes away by taking ownership, building clarity, and creating a financial system that works for your life—especially when life is full and messy.
You’ve got this.
And I’m here to help you every step of the way.
Let’s build wealth—together.
→ Start today with Wealth Together
