One of the most common questions people approaching retirement ask is, “Do I have enough money saved?” Whether you’re looking at 401(k) savings, credit card debt, or just comparing your situation to friends, the fear of falling short financially can become overwhelming.
According to a recent Gallup poll, retirement tops the list of financial concerns for Americans, with 71 percent of nonretired adults expressing at least some worry about whether they’ll have enough saved, including 42 percent who say they’re very worried.
But according to finance expert and author of Money For Couples, Ramit Sethi, that fear is often rooted in something other than the numbers.
“Most people believe that if they had just another $10,000, $50,000, or $100,000, they’d finally feel good about money,” Sethi says. “But they’re wrong.”
Sethi, who speaks with couples every week on his podcast, says he’s seen it all — from people deep in debt to those with more than $8 million in the bank. But what stands out, he explains, is how rarely their emotions align with their financial reality. “There are multimillionaires who agonize over the price of blueberries, or who worry they won’t have enough,” he says. It’s proof, he adds, that the way we feel about money is often deeply psychological and rarely about what’s in the bank.
That’s why simply having more money doesn’t solve the feeling of being “behind.” Often, it’s not about how much you have, it’s about how much you think you’re supposed to have, especially in comparison to others.
Why comparing your financial situation to others won’t help you
It’s easy to fall into the trap of benchmarking your finances against your peers. But Sethi cautions against it.
“Why do I care how much another 40-year-old has?” he says. “Most 40-year-olds have no idea what they’re doing with money. That’s the last person I want to compare myself to. Instead of looking outward, look inward. Not just at your bank balance, but at your values and goals. The question isn’t How do I compare? It’s What do I want money to do for me?”
What “behind” really means
When people say they feel like they’re falling short in the money department, it’s usually about fear, uncertainty, and lack of direction.
“Ask yourself why you feel behind,” says Sethi. “How much do you think you need to feel secure? What’s your actual number?” This is where financial literacy becomes empowering. Understanding how compound interest works, what a safe withdrawal rate is, or how much you need to retire can replace vague stress with specific goals.
“There’s a shocking number of people who feel anxious about retirement,” Sethi says, “but they’ve never read a single book on money. Of course you feel behind — you’ve never been given the right foundation to feel anything else.”
You’re never too far gone to boost your savings
One of the most important mindset shifts for anyone feeling behind? It’s not too late. Yes, starting at 45 or 55 is different than starting at 25. But that doesn’t mean your financial outlook is hopeless.
“We can learn to invest later in life,” says Sethi. “We can learn a language, learn an instrument, and we can learn how money works. But we have to be honest. We have to make big changes, fast.”
That might look like meeting with a financial planner, reading a personal finance book, or even taking a weekend to review your current numbers and goals. The key is to move from passive worry to active planning.
Mindset matters just as much as money
“I know a lot of people who say, ‘I need to catch up’,” Sethi says. “But you’re not catching up on 25 years of investing. You’re starting today. That’s it.”
This mindset shift — from shame to intention — is where real change begins. Your past doesn’t define your future, and regret isn’t a strategy. But clarity is.
“You’re not behind,” Sethi says. “You just haven’t had a plan. Now’s the time to make one.”
