Why chasing a dollar figure won’t fix your money worries

March 3, 2026 — 1:11pm

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So many people think there’s a dollar figure that will finally alleviate their financial anxiety. If you can just hustle, control, sacrifice, a little longer until you finally reach that milestone – then, you tell yourself, then you’ll finally feel okay, safe, successful, like you can relax.

There is some truth to that. Certainly, you can experience a lot of relief when you finally get debt-free, stop living pay cheque to pay cheque, or hit a significant savings or investment goal. But those are not the scenarios I’m referring to.

I’m talking about the multiple six-figure earner who is burning himself out to get to that seven-figure net-worth because only then will he will finally feel successful. Or the careful professional with multiple six-figures in investments, who is still avoiding spending on small luxuries out of fear.

I’m talking about the early-retirement enthusiast who is diligently squirrelling away every extra dollar into investments, counting down the years until they can finally start living their ‘real’ life. Or those who are financially stable, but are still perpetually postponing their experience of life until a future financial milestone in the name of ambition or........

© The Age