"I make more than I did two years ago. Why does it feel like I have less?"

A client who asks that question may expect you to point out where they've been overspending. But before you pull up the budget, ask what has changed since they last felt like they could get ahead. You might hear about a rent increase, a cut in overtime, or a car repair they're still paying for.

As Christian financial counselors, we can practice the kind of listening James 1:19 calls us to. The better we understand what's weighing on a client, the better we can help them take a faithful next step.

1. Everyday expenses have gone up

U.S. consumer prices were 3.7% higher in September 2026 than a year earlier.

To help your client, ask, "Which purchase costs more than you expect every time you make it?" Then compare what the client actually spent on groceries or gas with what they budgeted. The number they set six months ago may explain why they keep going over today.

2. Housing is squeezing the rest of the budget

In the Federal Reserve's 2025 survey, 23% of renters said they'd fallen behind on rent at some point in the prior year.

So, ask what housing costs are in full, including utilities and any fees. With homeowners, ask whether taxes or insurance have changed. Then look at what's left for essentials and when those bills come due.

3. Debt payments are claiming the next paycheck

U.S. credit card balances reached $1.26 trillion in the second quarter of 2026.

To help, ask your client to show you which payments come out before the next payday. Include buy now, pay later installments and automatic payments. Putting the amounts and dates on one page can help you both see why a paycheck disappears so quickly.

4. There's little room for a surprise

In the Fed's 2025 survey, 63% of adults said they'd cover a hypothetical $400 emergency with cash, savings, or a card paid off at the next statement.

Ask your client, "What happened the last time you had a surprise bill?" The answer can show you where a starter emergency fund would help and what the client could realistically set aside.

5. Income feels uncertain

Concerns about finding or keeping a job increased in the Fed's 2025 survey.

If your client relies on overtime or works variable shifts, ask what they bring home in a lean month. Walk through which bills that income would cover. Then decide together how they'll use money from a stronger month to prepare for a weaker one.

6. Medical bills are hard to predict

A client may know their monthly premium and still have no idea what they owe for a recent visit.

So ask them whether they have a bill, an insurance explanation of benefits, or both. Help them identify what they need to confirm with the provider or insurer before putting a payment in the budget.

7. Retirement feels out of reach

Only 35% of adults who hadn't retired thought their retirement savings were on track in the Fed's 2025 survey.

To help your client, ask, "What worries you most when you think about retirement?" A client who fears carrying a mortgage into retirement has a different question from one who's unsure how much they've saved. Their answer gives you somewhere to begin.

Your client may recognize three or four of these pressures in the same month. Ask which one they'd most like help with today. Then choose one step you can work on together before the session ends.