Why $1.7 Million Still Isn’t Enough: The Scarcity Trap That’s Stealing Your Freedom

You’ve done everything “right.”

You saved. You budgeted. You even sacrificed some of life’s pleasures to build your nest egg.

But despite all that, deep down… you still don’t feel free. And you’re not alone.

Meet the Millionaire Who Doesn’t Feel Like One

Recently, I came across a call on the Ramsey Show. A listener, now 66 years old, shared how he and his wife had diligently saved for decades. Between them, they’ve amassed $1.7 million. Sounds like a financial success story, right?

Yet when asked if he feels like a millionaire, his answer was a quick and resounding “Oh no.”

When challenged to spend just $8,000 on a cruise for his wife a fraction of a percent of their savings he could hardly breathe.

Let that sink in.

Why Financial Freedom Isn’t a Number

This call wasn’t about math. It was about mindset.

He wasn’t lacking money. He was lacking permission from himself to use it.

You see, financial freedom has never been about reaching a specific number in a bank account.

It’s about peace of mind. It’s about having money no longer be the reason or excuse you do or don’t do something.

You could have $10 million and still live in fear if your mindset is stuck in scarcity.

From Saver to Steward

If you’ve been a disciplined saver your whole life, that’s not a bad thing. But discipline without purpose leads to anxiety. That’s why so many savers struggle to spend. They don’t know how.

The shift?

You have to move from being just a saver to becoming a steward.

Being a steward means asking:

• How can this money serve a greater purpose?

• How can it create more freedom, more impact, more joy?

• How can it bless others not just myself?

Money is a tool, not a trophy. It’s meant to be used, not just stockpiled.

You Don’t Have to Settle for Less

If that same couple earning just 3% from their savings feels trapped on $50,000/year… imagine what would happen if they earned 10% instead?

That’s $170,000 per year. Without touching the principal.

That’s real cashflow. That’s real freedom. That’s what we teach at Money Ripples.

Final Thought: Freedom Is a State of Being

You’ll never feel truly free until you believe you are.

So, stop waiting to feel “safe enough.”

Start learning how to become a wise steward of your money, and how to make your money work harder for you so you don’t have to work so hard for it.

Let’s stop living in fear of spending. Let’s start living in the freedom we’ve already earned.

Make it a prosperous week,