How to Plan a Career Change -- Without Blowing Up Your Family's Finances
I’m excited to feature this special guest post by Matt Sheers, CFA, CFP®, NBC-HWC . Matt Sheers is a financial planner who specializes in helping mid-life professionals find fulfillment in their career AND their finances.
How to Plan a Career Change—Without Blowing Up Your Family’s Finances
By Matt Sheers, CFA, CFP®, NBC-HWC | Guest Post on Ompowerment Psychotherapy
You’ve done everything "right." Built a successful career, earned a high income, and provided your family with stability, comfort, and opportunity. From the outside, it looks like you’ve made it.
So why does it feel like a trap?
If you're a high-earning professional who’s beginning to question the sustainability or fulfillment of your current career, you're not alone. Many executives and mid-career professionals reach a point where success becomes suffocating—and the idea of a change feels both urgent and impossible.
Because the fear is real: What if I wreck everything I’ve worked so hard to build?
But here’s the truth: You can make a thoughtful career change without sacrificing your family’s financial security. In fact, when done strategically, a career transition can lead to more presence, better health, and a stronger connection with the people you love.
My Journey: From Burnout to Fulfillment
In 2018, I hit a wall. After 12 years climbing the corporate ladder at a top wealth management firm in Boston, I found myself burned out and questioning my path. On paper, everything seemed ideal—an intellectually stimulating job, opportunities for mentorship, and even my own office in a beautiful office space (with 360-degree views of the city). Yet, despite these perks, I felt a persistent emptiness gnawing at me.
Over time, I realized my values had shifted dramatically since my 20s. Back then, I was laser-focused on advancing quickly, maximizing earnings, and achieving prestige. But in my 30s—after getting married and becoming a father—those priorities started to fade. What mattered most now was work-life flexibility and finding meaning in my work. Unfortunately, it took me years to recognize this misalignment, and during that time, my mental and physical health suffered. That wake-up call ultimately forced me to make a difficult and scary decision: stepping away from the career path I had worked so hard to build to focus on my health and create a more sustainable future.
The timing was far from ideal. My second child had just been born, and the transition brought uncertainty and challenges. Looking back, there are things I’d do differently to make it a smoother process. But that scary choice brought me to where I am today. I now own a financial planning practice dedicated to helping fellow career changers and work as a health and wellness coach for individuals with chronic pain. The autonomy and meaning I’ve found in my work have transformed my life—I feel younger at age 40 than I did at 30.
What initially felt like a setback turned out to be a key turning point for my life. I’m grateful for the chance to realign my career with my values, and I believe you can create your own version of this story, too.
Let’s walk through how to make that happen.
1. Redefine What "Responsible" Looks Like
Often, clients tell me they stay in careers they’ve outgrown because leaving feels "irresponsible." The paycheck is too good. The lifestyle too established. The role too visible.
But here’s a reframing: Staying in a role that depletes your mental health, erodes your relationships, and limits your long-term vision isn't necessarily the safer path.
Being "responsible" doesn’t just mean keeping income stable—it also means protecting your energy, health, and ability to be present with your family. Career fulfillment matters because you matter.
2. Know Your Financial Baseline (and Burn Rate)
Fear of the unknown keeps many people frozen. That’s why the first practical step is clarity.
Ask:
What does it actually cost to run our household each month?
How much of our current spending is needs vs. wants?
If income dropped by 25%, what would we have to change?
This isn’t about restriction—it’s about control. When you understand your true financial baseline, you start to see the size of your opportunity.
3. Bring Your Partner (or Family) Into the Plan
A common mistake? Trying to plan quietly in the background, afraid to "worry" your spouse/partner or family.
But secrecy breeds anxiety. Transparency builds trust.
Start by sharing your why for considering a pivot, then walk them through the potential paths, tradeoffs, and timeline. You don’t need all the answers—just an open dialogue.
Many clients are surprised by how much support they receive once their loved ones understand what’s at stake emotionally and financially.
4. Build a Financial Safety Net for Change
Making a career change isn’t about jumping without a parachute. It’s about building a runway.
That might include:
A 6–12 month "Career Transition Fund"
A bridge strategy (consulting, part-time work, or sabbatical planning)
Preemptively reducing financial obligations or lifestyle costs
Having a cushion lets you explore new opportunities without desperation. It creates emotional margin.
5. You Don’t Have to Choose Between Purpose and Responsibility
Too many high-earners live under the illusion that meaningful work and financial stability are mutually exclusive. They’re not.
With a clear plan and open communication, you can pursue a more aligned career path without blowing up your life.
Change doesn't have to be chaotic. It can be strategic. Intentional. Empowering.
And most importantly? It can be done in a way that keeps your family secure and makes you feel more alive.
Need support planning the financial side of your next chapter? Learn more at https://www.sheerempowerment.com/