Am I Financially Ready to Change Careers?
How to know if you can afford to leave a high-paying job, take a sabbatical, or make a career change without wrecking your financial life.
You make good money. You’ve built a career. You may have strong benefits, a title you worked hard for, and a life that looks successful on paper.
But you’re tired.
And maybe you keep thinking: I cannot do this for another 20 years.
Then comes the next thought: But I can’t leave. I make too much money.
In this episode of She’s Talkin’ Money, I’m breaking down what it actually takes to make a career change in your 40s without blowing up your financial life — and why changing careers does not necessarily mean replacing your current salary dollar for dollar.
We’re talking about how to figure out what your life actually costs, how much income you really need, and why your current high salary may be the very thing that helps fund your exit.
I’ll walk through how to test-drive a lower income before making a move, how to build a freedom fund, how to think about a sabbatical, and why having enough money to live on is not the same thing as having enough money to launch a business or fund your next chapter.
We’ll also talk about the parts of compensation people often overlook — health insurance, retirement benefits, bonuses, equity, PTO, and other benefits — and why comparing salaries alone can give you the wrong answer.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
how to figure out what it really costs to be you
why you may not need to replace your current salary
how to practice living on a lower income before you leave
how to build a financial runway while you still have a paycheck
the difference between an emergency fund and a freedom fund
how to think about taking a sabbatical
what to consider if you want to start a business
when a lower-paying job may actually make financial sense
how to compare total compensation, not just salary
and the signs that you may not be ready to make the move yet
Career freedom does not mean having enough money to never work again.
It means having enough money, flexibility, and planning that your current job is not your only option.
Your job should not own the next 20 years of your life just because it pays well.
If you’re ready for personalized, judgment-free financial guidance, learn more about working with Shari. Shari Rash is the founder of GWA Wealth, a virtual advisory firm helping women make confident, values-aligned decisions with their money. Visit GWA Wealth to explore your next step.
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Shari Rash is a financial planner and Investment Adviser Representative of GWA Wealth, a Registered Investment Adviser. This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not personalized investment, tax, or legal advice. Nothing discussed should be considered a recommendation, and listening does not create an advisory relationship. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Please consult your own financial, tax, or legal professional before making decisions based on your individual circumstances.
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