The Middle-Class Trap: Why Earning More Still Feels Like Falling Behind

Description:

You’re earning more than you used to.

You’ve done what you were told.

So why does it still feel like nothing is really moving?

In this episode of The Bungalow, Kim and Nicky unpack the middle-class trap — the quiet cycle where rising income is matched by rising expenses, leaving even high earners feeling stuck, stretched, and surprisingly fragile.

We talk about:

• why lifestyle creep happens without you noticing
• how social pressure and “normal” upgrades drain progress
• why income alone doesn’t create security
• the psychological forces that keep smart people trapped
• and the practical steps you can take to build real financial breathing room

This isn’t about cutting joy or living like a monk.

It’s about defining what enough actually means to you, resisting silent pressure, and making intentional choices that lead to freedom — not just comfort.

If you’ve ever thought, “I’m doing well… so why don’t I feel ahead?”

This episode is for you.

Is buy-to-let finished for the everyday investor… or are we all just reading the market wrong?

In this episode of The Bungalow, Kim and Nicky go head-to-head in a rare, unfiltered debate on the future of the UK’s most talked-about investment strategy. One of us believes BTL is now a “hassle asset class” with razor-thin margins, endless regulation and a shrinking upside. The other argues it remains one of the strongest long-term wealth vehicles available — if you understand how to adapt.

Inside, we break down:

• Why rising interest rates, Section 24 and EPC reforms are pushing small landlords out
• How big players like Lloyds and John Lewis are quietly reshaping the market
• The fundamentals that still make buy-to-let powerful — leverage, capital growth and generational demand
• Whether the strategy is dead… or simply evolving
• What today’s investors need to know before buying their next property

This isn’t a highlight reel. It’s the honest conversation the industry avoids — two experts, two opposite views, one goal: to help you make smarter financial decisions in a changing market.

Whether you’re planning your first investment or rethinking your entire approach, this episode will challenge your assumptions, sharpen your strategy and give you the clarity you’ve been craving.

Press play. Your future self will thank you.

Episode Title: The Real Reason You’re Not Building Wealth — And How to Fix It Fast

Programme description:

Forget everything you were taught about money. In this episode of The Bungalow, we tear down the biggest money myth still holding people back: that saving alone will make you wealthy.

Nicky and Kim break down why the old rules no longer work — and how inflation, low interest rates, and outdated generational advice are quietly melting your money away. Through simple metaphors (ice cream in the sun, cash in the fridge) and clear explanations, they reveal the truth: wealth isn’t built by saving… it’s built by owning assets.

Inside the episode:

• Why saving feels safe but is actually losing you money
• The three-bucket wealth system: income, savings, assets
• How inflation erodes your savings (and why banks love that you don’t notice)
• Property, stocks, shares & leverage — explained simply
• The psychology of fear, risk, and why most people never invest
• Real-world examples (like the £4.20 iced latte that costs £188k over a lifetime)
• How to develop an investor mindset even if you’re starting from zero

This is the episode that will change how you think about money forever — and finally show you the moves that actually build long-term wealth.