Why High Income Doesn’t Always Mean Financial Peace—and How to Change That

When your paycheck doesn’t match your peace of mind

A recent survey of our customers found that 52% of BHG borrowers—those earning more than $100,000—feel like they don’t have enough saved for emergencies, with 68% having $10,000 or less available in their checking and savings accounts.

As a result, many people turn to personal loans and credit lines as a means of increasing liquidity. When BHG inquired about our customers’ reasons for taking on unsecured debt, the top answers were to fund a large planned or unexpected expense and to cover essential living costs during a financial shortfall.

While a lack of accessible cash is not a problem unique to high earners, the demographic often faces other challenges that put a strain on paychecks and affect financial wellbeing, such as:

• Large student loan debt, which can require significant monthly payments
• High tax burdens that reduce actual take-home pay
• Ongoing business/medical practice expenses
• Social and family expectations to “live up” to success

Mental health and money stress in high earners

Financial stress for high earners still exists; it just looks different. For one, there’s pressure to support others (parents, kids, team at work, etc.), as high earners often serve as the “breadwinner” and sole contributor to finances, which adds to the pressure.

Despite record levels of stress and burnout among all U.S. professionals in 2025—including those in the healthcare field, who are expressing burnout concerns at rates up to 70%—many feel pressure to stay in high-paying jobs, given the current economic conditions. For example, the majority of Americans now have little confidence in the stock and job markets, and a negative view of their financial situation as a result, a recent Gallup poll found.

Add in the psychological effects of money worries, and the case for securing financial peace of mind becomes even stronger. The impact of financial stress can spread to other areas, such as your mental and physical health, relationships, sleep patterns, and work performance.

You can’t spend tied-up wealth

High-income individuals often hold assets such as stocks, equity, and retirement accounts, which are typically illiquid. This is the core of the “liquidity vs. wealth” distinction—wealth represents what you have, liquidity represents what you can readily use. 

Liquidity gaps can expose you to risk, including:

• Delays in paying bills: Even with substantial investments, paying everyday bills or handling unexpected expenses can become a hassle if the money is not accessible.
• Missed investment opportunities: If you don’t have the necessary funds at the ready, you may have to pass up opportunities to build long-term wealth or improve your overall financial health.
• Financial juggling that adds mental load: Constantly moving money around trying to “time the market” and maximize the sale of your assets adds a considerable mental load, which may decrease mental health.

Why cash flow trumps income

While a high salary is certainly beneficial, consistent and predictable cash flow is often a bigger contributor to financial peace. For self-employed professionals, in particular, irregular payments can create friction and uncertainty, even if the annual income is high.

True peace of mind is rooted in stability and knowing you have accessible funds when you need them, not just earning potential. Colloquially, money doesn’t buy happiness, but people are generally happier when they have choices—the ability to say yes without stress when an opportunity presents itself or an expense arises. Financial resources can provide opportunities, security, and comfort, all of which are associated with a sense of well-being and happiness.

A tool for the cash-rich, liquidity-poor

Personal loans are often seen as a tool for the underfunded—but they’re just as valuable for individuals with strong financial standing and low liquidity. For example, a personal loan can be a strategic financial tool to optimize cash flow and reduce stress in the following scenarios:

• Professionals with strong credit who want to take advantage of optimizing the cost of borrowing. Prime borrowers can often secure more favorable loan terms that keep monthly payments manageable and allow for more breathing room in their budgets.
• Families balancing complex monthly budgets plus college costs, aging parents, upcoming retirement, and more. A personal loan can provide funds to manage these large, often overlapping, financial demands.

Leverage your credit for better terms

With excellent credit and income, high earners can access:

• Larger loan amounts, which can be helpful for financing significant credit card debt or a big expense. While many lenders only offer loans up to $100,000, BHG Financial can fund loans as high as $250,000.¹
• Lower interest rates are typically available to prime borrowers. The lower your annual percentage rate (APR), the more you save on interest.
• More flexible terms that match their lifestyle and cash flow needs. Repayment terms can be structured to align with your budget.

FYI: If you’re a high-income professional, you might prefer longer repayment structures that help maintain a comfortable cash flow. BHG’s terms extend up to 10 years^1,2, which can make repaying debt more affordable on a monthly basis.

 Preserve investments while accessing cash

In most cases, liquidating assets or withdrawing funds from your retirement accounts to access cash quickly may have negative consequences. Selling stocks or other assets that have appreciated in value can trigger capital gains taxes—and the amount of money you get depends on whether you sold them at a good time in the market.

In addition, withdrawing from a 401(k) or IRA before age 59 1/2 can result in a 10% early withdrawal penalty on top of regular income taxes, reducing the amount you actually receive. 

A personal loan offers a smarter alternative that allows you to unlock short-term liquidity. 

BHG Financial understands the unique financial landscape of high-income professionals. Our personal loan process is designed with your busy schedule in mind, offering:

• Fast approval decisions: The BHG loan concierge service is built to save you time and reduce the stress often associated with securing financing. We leverage proprietary models to expedite approval decisions in as few as 24 hours and can often provide funding in as little as five days.³
• Seamless digital experience: Our online application minimizes paperwork. Fill out a few basic forms, and your loan expert will develop a customized loan offer tailored to your needs and financial profile.
• Loans structured for high-income earners: When you work with BHG, you unlock flexible terms that align with your needs. We offer loan amounts up to $250,000¹ and repayment terms up to 10 years.^1,2

No disruption to credit score

With BHG, you can explore your loan options without risking your credit score.⁴ Prequalification only involves a soft credit inquiry, which doesn’t affect your score. This is a no-pressure way to see how a personal loan might fit into your financial strategy.

Concierge-level financial support

Navigating complex financial situations requires expert support. BHG provides access to dedicated lending experts who understand the complexities of high-earner finances. They can help you assess your needs, understand the loan terms, and ensure the solution aligns with your overall objectives. This personalized support is designed to provide you with the financial peace of mind you deserve.

Financial wellbeing is not about how much you make, but how much control you have over your cash. For high earners, a personal loan isn’t a sign of financial distress. Instead, it can be a strategic move to unlock liquidity, consolidate debt, fund significant expenses, or simply provide a financial buffer that lessens your worries.

Explore your personal loan options with BHG Financial. There’s no impact on your credit to view your offer.