Am I Earning Enough? Or Just Spending Blindly?

I’ve been forcing myself to track my expenses lately. Not because I love spreadsheets (I don’t), but because I need clarity. As a mum, a former nurse, and now a soulful entrepreneur, money feels like this quiet undercurrent—constantly flowing, sometimes flooding, occasionally drying up.

And the questions keep circling:

• Am I earning enough?

• Am I spending wisely?

• Do I need more skills to earn more?

• Or do I need to rein it in?

The truth? I don’t have all the answers yet. But I’m learning to ask the right questions—and that’s a start.

🧠 What I’ve Learned So Far

1. Track First, Judge Later. I started with a simple notebook. Just writing down what I spent—no guilt, no shame. From groceries to Canva subscriptions, it all went in. And suddenly, patterns emerged. Emotional spending. “Just this once” purchases—forgotten subscriptions.

Emotional spending.

2. The 70–20–10 Rule. I came across this simple budgeting guide:

• 70% for essentials

• 20% for savings

• 10% for debt or giving

  It’s not perfect, but it gives me a framework. If I’m spending 90% on essentials, maybe it’s time to reassess.

Walking through stillness, finding pieces of myself in every grain of sand.

3. Income isn’t just salary. As a creative, income can be unpredictable. But I’m learning to count value too—skills I’ve gained, connections I’ve built, products I’ve created. And yes, I’m exploring new skills that could open doors: digital design, SEO, even gentle marketing.

4. Spending Wisely Means Spending Intentionally

It’s not about cutting everything. It’s about asking: Does this align with my goals? My values? My peace? Sometimes, the answer is yes—even if it’s a doughnut.

💬 What I’m Telling Myself

• You’re allowed to grow slowly.

• You’re allowed to earn creatively.

• You’re allowed to ask for help.

• You’re allowed to change your mind.

So if you’re reading this and feeling financially foggy, know this: You’re not failing. You’re figuring it out. And that’s brave

.📣 Gentle CTA:

Want to track your spending with Soul? I’m working on a printable expense tracker that blends mindfulness with money. Stay tuned—or drop me a message if you’d love to test it out.

Discover soulful self-care tools at Ruthy Michaels.