Lucas Casarez, a CFP and founder of Level Up Financial Planning, explains why many tech professionals can make six figures yet still feel broke, citing statistics that 48.6% of people earning over $100K and 36% earning over $200K report living paycheck to paycheck. He outlines four main drivers: lifestyle inflation, taxes reducing actual take-home pay (often 30–50%, especially in high-tax states), lingering past obligations like student loans or credit cards, and lack of budgeting/clarity. He notes you may be doing better than you think through automated saving, maxing a 401(k), holding employer stock, or aggressively paying down debt. He recommends building a monthly budget, then planning annually and long-term to anticipate taxes and irregular expenses, reduce stress, avoid burnout, and increase career flexibility, and invites listeners to seek help getting organized.