ep. 89: Why Your Income Is the Real Wealth Strategy (The Make Phase of the 3M Framework)

If you’ve been working hard, doing “all the right things,” and still feel financially stuck — this episode will finally explain why.

In this powerful conversation, Jon Cleaver and Wendy Lee break down The Make Phase of the 3M Wealth Framework (Make, Manage, Multiply) and reveal why income — and the margin it creates — determines everything else in your financial life. They dismantle the myth that budgeting alone can fix an income problem and show how building margin, increasing cash flow, and creating financial breathing room is the foundation for lasting wealth, peace, and stewardship.

This episode is packed with practical strategies, biblical wisdom, and clear direction for anyone who wants to stop living paycheck-to-paycheck and start building wealth with intention.

What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy Most People Feel Financially Stuck

Many disciplined, hardworking people still feel trapped financially — not because they are irresponsible, but because they lack margin. You cannot spreadsheet your way out of insufficiency. Without margin, even good financial advice becomes exhausting instead of empowering

Why Income Sets the Ceiling on Everything Else

Your income is the fuel behind every financial decision you make. Without adequate income and margin:

1. You can’t accelerate debt reduction
2. You can’t increase investing
3. You can’t reduce financial stress
4. You can’t build stability or generosity

That’s why the Make Phase must be emphasized early — not from greed, but from wisdom

Why Waiting Is the Most Expensive Strategy

Delaying financial growth costs you:

1. Compounding
2. Momentum
3. Confidence

Waiting to “fix debt first” or “start later” robs you of time — the most valuable asset in wealth building

How the 3M Wealth Framework Actually Works

Rather than fixing one area at a time, Jon and Wendy teach how to work all three phases together:

1. Make: Increase income and create margin
2. Manage: Control spending, reduce debt, build stability
3. Multiply: Invest consistently — even if the amounts start small

The weighting shifts over time, but all three run concurrently so no years are wasted

How Extra Income Should Be Used

Extra income should never create new bondage.

Instead, it should:

1. Reduce obligations
2. Build emergency reserves
3. Create financial stability
4. Fund investing and long-term growth

As income increases, management becomes more important — not...