How Much Do You Actually Need to Earn?

You’ve probably heard it before:

Charge your worth.

Aim for six figures.

Stack multiple income streams.

But no one shows you how to find your own version of enough.

Most of us start by guessing. We copy what others charge. We try to price low enough to be safe, but high enough to be seen. We hope we’ve landed somewhere reasonable.

But without a clear idea of what your life costs, and what you want it to include, it’s easy to undercharge, overwork or burn out trying to hit someone else’s number.

That’s why we start here: your Minimum Viable Life Budget. It’s a simple way to figure out what you actually need to earn - not just to get by, but to live well, on your terms.

🧱 Essentials (the non-negotiables): rent, food, transport, healthcare

✨ Joyful extras (the good-life stuff): therapy, fun, creative fuel

🌀 Surplus (the scaffolding): savings, safety nets, generosity

Together, these categories give you a clear picture of what you need to earn to feel stable, supported and free to grow. You don’t need a spreadsheet, just a rough idea.

👉🏾 Want help mapping it out? Join the NFOS Hub The Stack and grab the free How-To Guide: Your Money Minimum.

Your Money Minimum Guide

Once you know your number, you can move with more clarity, less pressure and way fewer “Am I doing this right?” spirals.

Your Earnings Are Not Your Self-Worth

Let’s get one thing straight: how much you earn has nothing to do with your value as a person.

That can feel hard to accept when the world keeps telling you your worth shows up in your bank balance. But your income, whether it's a paycheque, a project fee or a price you set, is about value exchange, not personal worth.

What you make is shaped by so many things - your industry, your access, your timing, your network, your negotiating power - not just your talent or effort. You are not your rate. You are not your revenue. And you don’t have to prove your worth through your price tag.

Your Number Is Personal - And That’s the Point

Your “enough” won’t look like anyone else’s. And it shouldn’t.

• Maybe you support family.

• Maybe you live in a high-cost city.

• Maybe you’re disabled, neurodivergent or parenting solo.

• Maybe you’re building something new, and you need time, not hustle.

All of this matters. Your number needs to reflect your whole life - not just your bills.

You don’t owe anyone an explanation for what you need. Wanting more doesn’t make you greedy. Wanting less doesn’t make you lazy. This is your scaffolding. You get to decide what it holds.

Standing in Your Truth = Bold Move

Most of us were taught to shape-shift our needs - to fit in, to not be “too much”, to avoid rocking the boat. But building a business, career or creative path on top of a number that’s not yours? That’s how burnout sneaks in. That’s how resentment builds. That’s how under-earning gets normalised.

Here’s your permission slip: You’re allowed to own your number. You’re allowed to build around it.

That might mean raising your rates. Saying no. Asking for more. Or scaling back.

Start from enough. Build from there.

And Remember: Your Number Will Change

Life shifts. Priorities shift. Income ebbs and flows.

So don’t carve your number in stone. Treat it like a living thing. Check in every season or so: What’s changed? What do you need more of - or less of - right now?

This isn’t about being perfect with money. It’s about building a relationship with it that feels honest. Flexible. Yours.

You’re not behind. You’re just building a life on your terms.

Want Help Finding Your Number?

We made you something.

➡️ NeuroFinance OS Hub, The Stack is our free learning space for creative starters, builders and navigators - like you.

You.

Inside, you’ll get the How-To Guide: Your Money Minimum, a simple guide to calculating your Minimum Viable Life Budget.

Because clarity is a form of power. And knowing your number is the first step towards earning on your terms.

👉🏾 Grab the guide here.

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This article is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered Financial or Legal Advice. NeuroFinance OS assists you in making better economic choices, improving your wealth and building financial confidence. Consult a financial professional before making any major financial decisions.