The success stories are always inspiring. I’ve had clients who tightened up their spending, saved diligently, and were able to comfortably retire early, start businesses, or pivot into new careers. One client, for example, was deeply unhappy with his work environment and long commute. Together, we created a plan that allowed him to transition to part-time remote work while still meeting all of his family's financial needs.

The difficult stories, however, are heartbreaking. The most common mistake I see is people locking themselves into high fixed expenses, believing their income will always remain stable—only to lose a job or feel trapped in a career they despise just to keep up with their bills. I always advise against overcommitting financially, but at the end of the day, clients must make their own choices. My role is to provide the guidance, information, and tools to help them make better ones.