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“Money isn’t everything.” It’s advice many of us grew up hearing—from family members, TV shows, even Hallmark movies. But if you’ve ever lived paycheck to paycheck, carried debt, or panicked about an unexpected expense, you know it’s not the full story.
In this episode of The Finance Girlies, we unpack what this phrase really means, where it comes from, and why it can sometimes hold you back. We also share personal stories from our early careers, what research says about money and happiness, and how to figure out your own “enough” number.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Cassidy’s recent conversation that sparked this episode01:45 – Why Hallmark movies reinforce the “money vs. happiness” myth
03:30 – Our first low-paying jobs out of college05:00 – Where the phrase “money isn’t everything” comes from09:30 – Where this phrase becomes unhelpful
11:45 – Case study: America's Sweethearts
13:30 – Case study: Maid14:30 – What it's like to live on $25k vs. $25 million
16:30 – Cassidy's anchor point: how where she grew up affected her perceptions of money22:30 – What is money, actually? Money as security vs. money as status27:45 – Real stories: taking pay cuts for happiness (and regrets)31:00 – Our personal experiences earning more through freelancing32:30 – How to find your “enough” number
Resources:
Johnny Harris video: $25,000 vs. $25,000,000
Maid by Stephanie Land (book + Netflix series)
Wharton study on money and happiness
Netflix show: America's Sweethearts
TikTok clip: shesspeakingwithemily
