Hello, hello — and welcome back to Greedy Bitch, the podcast for groomers who are done apologizing for wanting more. I’m your host, River Lee, founder of The Savvy Groomer — and today’s conversation might feel a little uncomfortable… …but in the best way. Because we’re talking about golden handcuffs. And before you tense up or immediately think, “Oh, this probably isn’t about me,” I want you to just stay open for a second. Golden handcuffs are sneaky. They don’t show up when you’re broke and desperate. They don’t show up when your books are empty. They show up when: Your business technically works Your schedule is full Your bills are paid And everyone on the outside thinks you’re doing great But inside? You’re tired. You’re irritated. You feel stuck. And there’s this quiet, low-grade resentment that keeps bubbling up. You’re not failing. You’re not irresponsible. And you’re definitely not lazy. You’re just realizing that “working” and “working well” are not the same thing. And if that realization makes your stomach drop a little? This episode is for you. Let’s define it — plainly. Golden handcuffs are when: Your income looks okay Your schedule is full Your clients are “fine” And you still feel trapped You tell yourself things like: “I can’t change anything right now.” “I need the money.” “At least it’s stable.” “I’ll fix it later.” But here’s the truth nobody wants to say out loud: Stability without sustainability is just burnout with better branding. Golden handcuffs are not about being rich. They’re about being dependent. Dependent on: Certain clients you’re scared to lose Certain price points that barely work Certain chaos you’ve learned how to survive A version of yourself that’s always exhausted but “handling it” And the longer you stay there, the harder it feels to imagine anything different. Because your business doesn’t feel optional anymore. It feels like a requirement. An obligation. A responsibility you can’t set down. And that’s the part that feels heavy. Not the work. The lack of choice. Here’s the part nobody likes to admit — and I say this with so much compassion: Sometimes we stay stuck because it’s familiar. Not comfortable. Familiar. You know how to survive here. You know how to overwork. You know how to push through. You know how to ignore your body and your needs. And there’s a weird safety in that. Because changing means: Risk Discomfort Boundaries Conversations Letting go of clients Raising prices Admitting the current model isn’t actually working And groomers? We are exceptionally good at endurance. Hard work has always been the solution. Until it isn’t. Golden handcuffs thrive on beliefs like: “If I just work harder, it’ll eventually feel better.” “Once I hit this number, I’ll slow down.” “I just need to get through this season.” But here’s the uncomfortable truth: Hard work fixes under-earning. It does not fix broken systems. And the thing about golden handcuffs? They don’t feel urgent. You’re not drowning. You’re just… slowly suffocating. And that’s harder to respond to. Let’s talk money — specifically. Because golden handcuffs are usually built quietly, over time. They’re built on: Underpricing “just for now” Overbooking to make up the difference Tips filling the gap instead of pricing No clear budgeting system No long-term plan for you, not just the business You might be thinking: “I can’t afford to raise prices.” “I can’t afford to slow down.” “I can’t afford to say no.” But what you really can’t afford… …is staying here forever. Because the cost of golden handcuffs isn’t just financial. It’s: Your body breaking down Your nervous system living in constant alert Your relationships getting whatever energy is left Your creativity disappearing Your future options shrinking When your income depends on constant output, you haven’t built freedom. You’ve built a cage. A shiny one. A respectable one. A socially acceptable one. But it’s still a cage. Here’s the good news — and please hear this: Breaking golden handcuffs does not mean: Quitting tomorrow Burning bridges Starting over from scratch Blowing up your life Freedom doesn’t come from chaos. It comes from intention. Breaking golden handcuffs starts with choice. Choice looks like: Choosing to raise prices strategically, not emotionally Choosing systems over survival Choosing planning over panic Choosing long-term stability over short-term comfort Sometimes it means: Learning how to manage money differently Creating boundaries that protect your energy Building buffers instead of white-knuckling Adding a new skillset or income stream Getting support instead of doing everything alone And no — none of this happens overnight. But every small, intentional decision loosens the grip. You don’t take the handcuffs off all at once. You unlock them. One click at a time. As we wrap up, I want you to sit with this question — honestly: If nothing changed this year… would you be okay with that? Same schedule. Same income. Same stress. Same pace. If the answer is no? That’s not greed. That’s self-respect. New Year, New Money isn’t about hustling harder. It’s about building a business that supports your life — not traps you inside it. Golden handcuffs only work if you keep wearing them. And you are allowed to take them off. If today’s episode hit close to home, take a breath. You’re not behind. You’re not broken. And you’re not ungrateful for wanting more. You’re just noticing that the way you’re working right now isn’t sustainable — even if the money looks “fine” on paper. And that awareness? That’s the first step to freedom. January’s New Year, New Money theme is about making intentional money decisions — not reacting, not white-knuckling, and not staying stuck because “at least it works.” If you’re realizing you might be wearing golden handcuffs, here are a few next steps: If pricing is what’s keeping you trapped, the Price Increase Masterclass walks you through how to raise prices confidently and strategically — without panic or guilt. You can find it at savvygroomer.com/pimc If your income feels chaotic or inconsistent, Personal Finance on a Leash helps you build money systems that actually support your life. You can find it at savvygroomer.com/enroll And if you need clarity around where your time and money are really going, the Paws & Prioritize Planner gives you simple visibility without overwhelm. You can find it at savvygroomer.com/planner Next week, pay attention to how your income feels — not just what the numbers say. Because New Year, New Money isn’t about hustling harder. It’s about building a business that gives you options. Stay savvy. Stay greedy. And never apologize for wanting more. 💰✨