More Money Won’t Fix Your Problems — This Will

The Big Picture on Why Higher Income Doesn’t Mean A Better Life :

• • Most people experience a disconnect between what they say matters (like family and health) and where their time actually goes. Kathy Fettke encourages aligning your daily actions with your true values to build a more fulfilling life.
  • Living intentionally isn’t reserved for the ultra-rich. Kathy shares real examples—like families traveling on modest budgets and remote workers abroad—who’ve found freedom by living differently, not by earning more.
  • The typical life path (school → job → 9-to-5 grind → retirement) wasn’t built for freedom. Kathy highlights how real estate and financial literacy can help break that cycle, enabling a lifestyle built around time, freedom, and purpose.

When most people think about solving life’s problems, the first thing that comes to mind is more money. But what if the issue isn’t how much you’re earning, but how you’re living?

In this episode, we sat down with Kathy Fettke—founder of Real Wealth, host of the Real Wealth Show podcast, and author of Scaling Smart—to unpack the real reason why chasing a higher income doesn’t always lead to a better life.

Rethinking What Really Matters

We often get caught in the trap of thinking financial success equals life success. But Kathy challenges us to pause and ask:

• • What are the top 10 things that matter most to you?
  • Now, compare that with the top 10 things you spend your time on. 

For many of us, there’s a disconnect. Family might be our top priority, but our time goes to work, meetings, and obligations. Health is a core value, yet we barely squeeze in a 10-minute walk.

A Different Way to Live

Kathy doesn’t just preach this—she lives it. From meeting families traveling the world on modest incomes, to her own daughter living and working remotely across Asia, she shares proof that an intentional life isn’t only for the wealthy.

Her message? You don’t need to make six figures to reclaim your time. You need to design your life differently.

(article continues below)

Real estate investments? Awesome.

Being a landlord? Less fun.

Learn how to earn 15%+ on passive real estate investments in our free video course.

Break Free from the Middle-Class Script

Most of us follow a script we didn’t even write: go to school, get a job, work 40–50 hours a week, and retire someday. But Kathy argues that this script was written to train workers, not entrepreneurs or investors.

We’re not taught how to build passive income. We’re not taught how to invest. And we’re certainly not taught how to design a life that aligns with our values.

But it is possible.

From traveling the world to taking a “red month” off to explore Patagonia, there are countless ways to live more freely—if we’re willing to challenge what’s “normal.”

Real Estate as a Tool for Time Freedom

Kathy and her team at Real Wealth help people use real estate to build income and freedom—not just financial, but time and lifestyle freedom too.

Whether it’s passive investing, syndications, or simply retiring rich with rentals, her approach is about making your money work for you so you can stop trading time for income.

Want to compare investment property loans?

What do lenders charge for a rental property mortgage? What credit scores and down payments do they require?

How about fix-and-flip loans?

We compare the best purchase-rehab lenders and long-term landlord loans on LTV, interest rates, closing costs, income requirements and more.

Join Our Co-Investing Club For Hassle-Free Real Estate Investing

Take another step towards financial freedom by investing with our exclusive Co-Investing Club at SparkRental! 

Our unique platform allows members to collaboratively evaluate and invest in diverse real estate opportunities, including private partnerships, notes, syndications, equity funds, and secured debt funds. 

With a minimum investment of just $5,000 per deal, our club removes traditional barriers, giving you access to high-yield real estate ventures that typically require $50,000 to $100,000 for individual investments. 

At SparkRental, our Co-Investing Club prioritizes diversification across various property types and geographic locations throughout the U.S. Our carefully selected investments span multifamily units, mobile home parks, self-storage facilities, short-term rentals, and more, aiming for average annualized returns of 15% or higher on equity investments and 10-12% interest on debt investments. 

Each month, our members join interactive video calls to discuss and vet new opportunities, ensuring everyone has a say. 

Best of all, you don’t need to be an accredited investor to join our club!

Whether you’re a seasoned investor or just starting out, our Co-Investing Club offers a streamlined, community-oriented pathway to passive income and financial growth.