To think being good with money isn’t just about earning more?

[ThatGreyBeaker]

It often feels like the focus is on increasing income as the main way to be “good” with money but that doesn’t necessarily translate into financial stability on its own. To me, things like spending habits, saving and how you manage what you have seem just as important.

AIBU? It seems most people see earning more as the main factor.

I don't think I have ever seen anyone say "good with money" means earning a lot. They have quite distinct meanings.

Increasing income tends to be from career progression, being good at your job, good at negotiating an increase, or successful side hustling. You can be all these things but be awful with your own personal finance.

One does not equal the other IMO.

Well obviously, I don't think your statement is controversial in any way. But equally you can't be good with money if you don't have any, so earnings come into it to an extent (or wealth).

Increasing income is just about having more money. Being good with money, in my view, is more about how you manage your money.

It’s easier to manage your money if you have more, but I think anyone can be good with money, no matter how much they earn.

Often, the people earning the least are really good with money, because they have less money to spend overall, so have to be very intentional and careful about how they spend it.

There is the phrase "look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves".

The phrase "earn shitloads of pounds and forget about the pennies" is a better route to wealth and a high standard of living in my opinion.

Its so, so much easier to be good with money when you have more.

so much easier

To me, it means being sensible about the choices you make with the money you have, regardless of how much you have.
I know people on benefits who are amazing at budgeting. I would say they are good with money. And then people who earn well but fritter it away like they hate it.

It’s one side of the equation