I adopted a biblical attitude of stewardship and it helped me curb materialism! You have to unplug from cultural tendencies to equate designer products with your value or status as a person, it's silly. Instead, I created a capsule wardrobe of fine quality, essential pieces that help me look put together and, I replace or upgrade only when needed. The Jones' don't exist!
I adopted an attitude of biblical stewardship years ago also. I learned this after taking a stewardship class at church years ago. I give some, save some, and spend some. It allowed me to retire at the age of 53. I still practice it. I have what I need. I don’t have a lot of wants anymore but I can buy if I want. I agree with you about the attitude towards designer products. It is silly. Designers are rich. I am not. Why make myself poor so they can remain rich?
How To Avoid Lifestyle Creep 1. Increase your investments/ invest in yourself instead 2. Pretend a raise didn't happen 3. Set money goals 4. Don't make hasty decisions (real estate and transportation) 5. Pay credit cards in full 6. Don't buy what you can rent (jetski, RV, etc) 7. Spend intentionally 8. Don't ditch your budget 9. Plan for fun spending (5 to 10%)
“Don’t buy what you can rent” I love that! This was a great video. I just obtained a 47% salary increase but still plan on living on the salary I had before that. I plan on stashing the extra money to buy my first home in about two years, and start saving for grad school. Just subscribed ❤️
This is what my late wife did over the twenty years of our marriage. She insisted on handling *all financial transactions* and would not discuss budgeting. We lived paycheck to paycheck for twenty years while she made minimum payments on three credit cards until they all were maxed out. When she died, suddenly I became solvent, and within two years I had substantial savings even though I had bought a new car. At this time I have mortgage free house, no credit card debt (paid off every month), and my only debt is a home improvement loan for the solar panels on my roof. The trick is to not buy things you don't need.
I’m always saying this to myself . We must learn to sacrifice a few shopping sprees and wants and then we shall really see the beautiful fruit off our labor .
I love your advice to plan “fun” spending. An extensive focus on saving without fun can lead to a large impulsive purchase during a moment of weakness. Fun spending is like dieters allowing themselves a cheat day once per week.
So many people I know are dealing with lifestyle creep, so hearing some great advice tips and advice here will do wonders! I know personally that even doing things like getting items you like from the second hand market or putting extra money towards the $1000 project can really help change this mindset. xCC
this was super informative! I recently started a job where I make $50K a year but I'm still recovering from working a job where I made $35K a year but before that, I made $65K. when I was working that first job I was very aggressively paying down debts so my lifestyle was pretty similar to when I was making $35K but now I'm starting to enjoy the extra income since I've paid off so much like my car and some other larger debts and I'm trying to stay in track and SAVE! great video!
This is VERY tempting. I'm debt free other than my house but about 6 months ago I got a new job and a decent increase in pay. I was very close to buying a new car which would have put myself into debt again. Luckily, new cars were in short supply at that time and they were getting more expensive so I decided not buy a car.
There's a video somewhere here on TH-cam titled something like "How Your Car is Keeping You Poor" (or something), and the advice there was someting like "Never buy a brand new car" and only ever buy a car that's at *least* 5 years old (because by that time, it's going to have depreciated in value about as much as it's ever going to).
Set up a brokerage account dedicated towards a car purchase.. You probably already have an Emergency Fund since you have just a mortgage and no other debt.. probably a 401K too..Nothing wrong with saving for your vehicle ahead of the purchase.. and the monthly contributions into an investment account would show you the benefits of saving ahead of time, better than a CD Ladder..There are add-on able CDs but the growth is limited comparatively
@@IanHollis I live in Spain and having a brand new car is REALLY a thing. I had never seen so many brand new cars (if you want to see the latest released models this is the place) before moving here^^
Thanks for mentioning that upgrading housing or transportation is not lifestyle creep if what you have isn't meeting your needs! I feel a little bad about how much money gets spent on gas and car insurance, because when I only had one kid I took the bus everywhere and we didn't own a car, and that was so much cheaper. But now that I have three kids, it helps a lot to have a car. Not an expensive car (a 25 year old Honda), but cars in general are just expensive to maintain!
This is good advice! Though, I have to say....if I get a promotion or a raise, I will not be continuing a side hustle. I will be reclaiming that time to relax and spend time with family & friends
Helpful and concise video. Being concise is a difficult thing to do!!! I am in my 30s and just now “ waking up” to the consequences of my overconsumption as a way to self-soothe. The psychological burden is heavy, so I hope more people take the awareness of life style creep to heart ❤️ At the end of the day, it’s not good for your health.
So true! I'm almost 30 and look back at the well paying gigs I was fortunate enough to have at different points in my 20s and am disappointed at how little I have to show for it. I will definitely be using monthly financial goals in my 30s!
I agree with this 100 percent. Before buying something, I say to myself 1st) Is this a need or a want? 2nd) How is this going to improve my life or another persons life (if a donation has been requested)? 3rd) How will getting this today, effect both my short term and long term financial goals? Only if it passes all three steps do, I then pull out my charge card (which, as you stated should always be paid in full at the end of each month). This is because, true value comes from my relationship with the Holy Spirit, and not from other people and material things.
I will wait and think on things before I make a purchase. Can I afford it? Yes. Then I give it a couple of weeks and if I'm still thinking about it, I'll get it. I just bought 2 things today that I've been thinking about for months. I don't like things for the sake of things and making myself wait has helped not clutter my space with expensive useless stuff and be much more mindful and practical.
My expenses have remained the same between 25 and 35. Never owned a credit card. Dont eat out much - and buy anything from the supermarket I feel like. Buying those expensive steak/cherries/soap at the store without having to think about it is a small flex I enjoy. Never had a car loan. Never had comprehensive car insurance (just third party) as my car is worth less than a month's income haha. Save on the BIG things and enjoy the SMALL things.
I’m glad there is a guidance of 5-10% on fun. Now I don’t feel so guilty because I max out Roth and contribute a significant amount to a 403B but I don’t max that out so I feel guilty when I have fun sometimes
Increased salary saw me doing unnecessary things such as home appliances upgrades, home improvements. Thank goodness it did not extend to new clothes shoes jewellery ect. Investments have risen significantly through.
Love this content and I hope young people are listening to you. I find my poorest friends have so much stuff. I have a friend that buys a Gucci purse just because she feels she deserves it but she buys it on credit and has very little income.
Ahh 🙏 the content I have been searching for.. This came at the perfect time. I am literally trying to save 150k to buy my own land and build a mortgage free home there as well. So excited ti continue this journey. In my opinion we buy materials in hopes to impress others. Our wallets not so much lol. Keep them coming
Don't wait. Buy now. I say that because all of your rent is going right down the toilet rather than into your home equity. Mortgage debt is not necessarily bad.
@@co7314 lol if you want to waste money on a mortgage thats u. I prefer to own my land and design my homes how i see fit. Not to mention I have enough acres to build a neighborhood if I choose to. Its sad you all are so brainwashed by society u cant even think or use ur own physical bodies to build what u MUST have in order to survive. Its okay to be self sufficient. U wouldn't be living day to day like a slave if u took the time to learn and invest in the things ur spending thousands your ENTIRE life trying to pay off. By the way i already spent 20k on 3.4 acres. Most people especially black ones are conditioned by the media and society to spend their earnings on materialism therefore keeping blacks especially needing assistance for the basics. Also im not white. So redlining and critical race theory and bogus credit calculations still affect my ability to get REASONABLE mortgage rates. Lets not act insolent to the white supremacist world we live in.
@@nottodaysatan8606 I'm sorry, I apparently offended you. I didn't mean anything bad by it. I just recently sold the first house I ever bought, and it worked out really well. If I didn't take out that mortgage (for a home with good bones in an improving neighborhood at the right price), I wouldn't have been able to build up so much financial security. Maybe you stay somewhere for free, but before I bought my house, rent prices in my area were really high. It was so hard to save up enough & fix my credit. But I did it, I saved enough ($18000) for a 5% downpayment on a $150k house ($7500), escrow for the first year's property taxes & homeowners insurance ($4000), and the rest was for misc fees, moving costs & a "just in case" fund. That locked me into a monthly housing cost of $1100 plus utilities... meanwhile rent in my area, even for something smaller, was average $1500 then and more like $1800 now. The math just worked out better for me. I paid minimum $400 less per month on housing. That's over $38k saved over the 8 years I lived in the house. Paid myself back for the original $18k plus an extra $20k. Obviously, do whatever you want. I'm not interested in indulging temper tantrums of strangers on the internet. I'm only interested in offering up the way I transformed my financial situation.
This is a great message. I didn’t know it had a name. Something similar happen to me in my late 20’s. I bought a car but didn’t adjust my spending. It took most my 30’s to get out of debt.
Thank You for the reminder. I am getting bump in pay and thought about getting a new comforter but found another blanket and that did the trick warm with money still in pocket. I’m gonna add to my emergency funds instead.
I don’t kayak as often as I would like. But, however, my friend found a great kayak for me on sale at Kmart going out of business. It was $120 for the cute blue kayak. I would use it more if I had a better vehicle to put it in. My parents, selfish baby boomers went out and got the most expensive ocean kayaks they could find. They used them twice. When they downsized, they were too big for my place. But it was irritating that they blew through money they inherited like that. And I have nothing inherited and most likely never will. They inherited at least three houses. I don’t have any brothers or sisters and our generation in general gets zero houses for free.
@@teenindustry What do you know about me to say that? My parents got their money because they inherited it. I work twice as hard because I’m single. But they are spoiled baby boomers and blew through their money. So now who is going to pay for my mother to be in assisted living? She has Alzheimer’s. Are you going to take care of her? No! So stop making false assumptions because I spend all of my extra money on her and my daughter. So I am mad that they blew that money because it’s not there for THEIR care. Your comment goes towards what you would think and do. I just drove across town on our crappy roads in my crappy crappy car to pick up my mom and bring her over and entertain her and spend time with her. She got bored pretty quick because apathy is very normal. SoI drove across town to bring her back to assisted living. I did that because I’m a good daughter and it’s the right thing to do. But you just keep up insulting others on the holidays. When her money is gone, she will be in government housing that we pay for, BUT sure I AM THE ONE who is entitled? That hilarious 😆
@@Lijan01 What do you know about me to say that? My parents got their money because they inherited it. I work twice as hard because I’m single. But they are spoiled baby boomers and blew through their money. So now who is going to pay for my mother to be in assisted living? She has Alzheimer’s. Are you going to take care of her? No! So stop making false assumptions because I spend all of my extra money on her and my daughter. So I am mad that they blew that money because it’s not there for THEIR care. Your comment goes towards what you would think and do. I just drove across town on our crappy roads in my crappy crappy car to pick up my mom and bring her over and entertain her and spend time with her. She got bored pretty quick because apathy is very normal. SoI drove across town to bring her back to assisted living. I did that because I’m a good daughter and it’s the right thing to do. But you just keep up insulting others on the holidays. When her money is gone, she will be in government housing that we pay for, BUT sure I AM THE ONE who is entitled? That hilarious 😆
Thank you for putting a heart on my comment. It is obvious you understood that their money was needed for them to live and for their care, not for me. My point is that I didn’t need or want a huge kayak. I love the little cute one I have. But people will always judge what you say before they know the true story. Most especially these days. It seems like everyone needs to put other people or things down to boost themselves up. For example I love watching TH-cam videos of old music. Someone will always make a comment about how great music was back then and not like that horrible stuff today. I’ve started saying something because I love music and they make great music today too. You don’t have to hate a thing to like a different thing. People do not seem to understand that.
Great guidelines. Health is wealth. As earning capacity (and workload/responsibilities) increase, I believe it’s important to invest in one’s quality of life. Some things that could seem like “lifestyle creep” may also be a direct investment in one’s quality of life = better physical/mental health.
I spent the first decade of my early earning years getting a doctorate. I got a full ride from my university. But that meant, until you're about 30, you are living right at the Federal Poverty Line. This has conditioned me to be extremely frugal but also 'ghetto fabulous.' So, I have never suffered from lifestyle creep. Most people think I live the luxe life. But I do it all on a budget.
I have to admit I'm a minimalist to begin with. I don't like shopping or spending money. Sometimes I think I should've been a bookkeeper. Not only do I keep to a budget, I use a column book for my budget. At the end of the month I add up each column both down and across for daily spending. Then I carry those monthly totals forward to the next month and so on for the whole year. Writing down what you spend really opens your eyes to where you are overspending. I don't go to movies for several reasons. Too expensive just to get in and then if you get popcorn because it's a sin to watch a movie without popcorn, LOL, you may as well just dump your bank account into the cash register at the theatre. Plus with everyone on their cells in the theatre, it's just too distracting. So I wait for a movie to come out on DVD and it hits the cheap bin at Walmart. For less than 1/3 the cost of going to the movie I can have the DVD ($5.00) and watch it over and over. I don't have Netflix or any of that stuff either.
Thank you for sharing. I can relate with the movies. After spending the last year streaming new movies at home (it's cheaper for us), going back to the actual theater will feel like a rip off.
I sometimes struggle with what’s lifestyle creek vs what’s me living the life I’ve always wanted to live which may be the reason why a person increases their pay.
YES! This is EXACTLY what I needed to see today. I really feel like I'm currently experiencing some lifestyle creep as a result of my new job. I'm still saving but I could be saving/investing a lot more.
I want to be very conscious of this idea and I know it'll be a challenge! I'm in between jobs right now and my new job's pay is almost twice the amount of my old one. Very practical and helpful tips, thank you!
This is exactly what i’ve been doing the last few years. I’ve decided that from now on, each pay raise will go directly to increasing my 401K contribution. It sounds weird to say, but I don’t need more money, I need more discipline. I’ve always loved buying stuff. I have too much of almost everything. My saving grace has been that I don’t really care about cars. Clothes, shoes, and tech gadgets are my vices, everything else I can leave alone. But she is absolutely right, lifestyle creep is a clear and present danger.
This channel is awesome. Thanks a lot! I have had two pay raises over the last six months and regrettably my spending has almost tripled! So I can use this advice. Thanks again, subscribed!
When my income increased, I immediately bumped up my 401k to 20% instead of 10%. Just the other day, I noticed income creep was happening, I wasn't putting anything into my savings like I normally was. So I set up a direct deposit to my savings account that is a separate bank from my checking account.
I have my 401K set for the minimum needed to get the matching funds from employer. I funnel all extra income to my personal brokerage account, since I get a LOT better annual returns (even after taxes) strategically researching & investing in certain stocks on my own & flipping them for short-term capital gains.
Love this advice. I was so fortunate to receive a sizable salary increase when I switched jobs, and I’ve been seeing lifestyle creep for sure. What has helped though is increasing 401k contributions and splitting my direct deposit between accounts. For example, my rent, utilities and loans are the exact same each month, so I set that amount aside into a bank account that I don’t look at often. So that’s a part of my income that I never see in my general checking account and get tempted to spend that portion of my pay. Add to that, my 401k contribution increase is more money that I effectively don’t ever see.
The thing is when you were poor all your life and suddenly you can afford stuffs you just buy everything you want even useless cause it's new and exciting and like a new power. But be careful.
This video came at the right time. I am so proud of myself that I said “no” and I was literally one click away from purchasing yet another handbag. 🙄 one day at a time lol. the struggle is real, but I’m trying. Thank you for the tips.
Bookmarking this cuz this advice is so practical and straightforward. The moving of money to a separate saving is SO useful. It literally hits the "out of sight, out of mind" principle
The only time I don't pay a credit card in full is when I have a 0%-2% APR offer for X amount months. The allows me to increase my cashflow for other things.
Exactly. More recently I've been thinking about buying a kayak. But I don't live off a lake, so I don't know how often I would really use it...plus there's the cost of installing a rack. In the end, it's probably better to pay the $10 and rent one.
On the renting thing -- you can also rent tools! Almost no one needs to own a pressure washer or a table saw. They can be rented from hardware stores, though. Same with giant ladders and carpet cleaners.
Lifestyle creep can be beneficial or hazardous depending on circumstances..If your income is well below the norm, it doesn't hurt to absorb a windfall a little to improve your economic situation.. but realize what you absorb can hinder growth for getting ahead....
Don’t live in a hedonistic city that encourages the creep. Miami/LA/NYC is full of people who flex for social media and for their neighbors. Live in a place that doesn’t have a famous street dedicated to upscale shopping. Surround yourself with people who make less than you. Instead of trying to live upwards, you’ll live downwards so as to not stand out and look like a braggart. GET OFF SOCIAL MEDIA. There’s nothing for you there but a mirage of the great lives that everyone is living. It’s a sham. The less you have, the less you have to pay for. Unburden yourselves, stop chasing materialistic things that you can’t take with you after death.
Excellent video, concise and to-the-point, rooted in concrete, common sense ideas and suggestions! So many lifestyle videos are a lot of fluff. Your video adds true value, and I love the term, "lifestyle creep!" It's thought-provoking too! Thanks!
Thank you for making this video, I was definitely the type of person who would over spend, but now I opened a savings account and I'm trying to start saving because of my health. This was very helpful, I'm happy I came across this video! 🥺
This is such important advice. The priority should not be on acquiring stuff but on maximizing your investments and investing in future you. Got a raise? Good, now you can contribute more to your 401k or Roth IRA account or savings account . Like you said, the goal is to not be tempted to spend the money so allocating it right away works really well.
Ughhhhh I just bought a Cartier watch but to be fair I've saved $140,000 AND the cost of my watch was what I earn in two weeks of work. Outside of that i shop at TJ Maxx and Aldi lol
Finally realizing I need to get serious about saving-happy to be debt free later this year. Another great tip I learned is to steadily increase 401k every year. Tracking all my purchases help to see where my money is going.
I have always kept my spending limits below any salary raise I've had. I never purchase anything that isn't necessary, would cost more than my monthly mortgage payment or I haven't saved for. If I want something I look for stuff on reconditioned sites and put a set amount away in my savings account and when I reach the amount I need then I buy and avoid the guilt or worry afterwards. I love travelling so I apply the same logic. I have lots of patience so I can wait to have what I want; I am not concerned with trends or what's "popping on the Gram" as I know that many of these influencers are actually living on credit and basically broke in real life. Lots of great tips in this video but they only really apply to people that are out here flexing designer items that lose their value as soon as they buy them and all without the millionaire income to support it.
Great video, thank you for the tips! I never understood why would anyone buy a kayak or a boat or anything that could be rented easily. Unless you are a professional kayaker then I don’t see the point
Also another few things to add to this list: 1) Be careful with Subscriptions. You’ll be surprised- and I learned it a messy way. 😥 2) For fast consumer technology, like smartphones, skip a few generations. Ask your friends or family members know that if they are going to upgrade their model, can they give you their old model. Then when they buy, they will give you their old model. Get it refurbished if you need to.
Don't buy what you can rent - AMEN! One house and two cars is enough to take care of as is. A boat or cabin? No thanks! Regarding "Spend Intentionally" - my response is ESPECIALLY if it is on furniture. It is easy to buy an item of furniture and it get delivered to your place, but can be very hard to get rid of it later. My younger self bought furniture that was not exactly what we wanted, but was the less expensive option. However, it ended up sticking around for a lot longer than we originally planned. For big, bulky items or items that are hard to move or sell, it's better to wait and buy exactly what you want than to settle for something cheaper that you will regret in a few years.
I adopted a biblical attitude of stewardship and it helped me curb materialism! You have to unplug from cultural tendencies to equate designer products with your value or status as a person, it's silly. Instead, I created a capsule wardrobe of fine quality, essential pieces that help me look put together and, I replace or upgrade only when needed. The Jones' don't exist!
You hit it on the nail. I think a lot of people view their stuff as an extension of themselves. Thank you for watching!
Preach🙌🙌🙌🙌
Could you elaborate more on this if you don't mind. Sounds interesting
I adopted an attitude of biblical stewardship years ago also. I learned this after taking a stewardship class at church years ago. I give some, save some, and spend some. It allowed me to retire at the age of 53. I still practice it. I have what I need. I don’t have a lot of wants anymore but I can buy if I want. I agree with you about the attitude towards designer products. It is silly. Designers are rich. I am not. Why make myself poor so they can remain rich?
Make designers rich AND advertise for them!
How To Avoid Lifestyle Creep
1. Increase your investments/ invest in yourself instead
2. Pretend a raise didn't happen
3. Set money goals
4. Don't make hasty decisions (real estate and transportation)
5. Pay credit cards in full
6. Don't buy what you can rent (jetski, RV, etc)
7. Spend intentionally
8. Don't ditch your budget
9. Plan for fun spending (5 to 10%)
Thanks for this 👌🏾
Avoiding lifestyle creep is key to being able to build an emergency fund.
“Don’t buy what you can rent” I love that! This was a great video. I just obtained a 47% salary increase but still plan on living on the salary I had before that. I plan on stashing the extra money to buy my first home in about two years, and start saving for grad school. Just subscribed ❤️
Thanks for the sub!
Renting is bad
Instead of buying a car, it’s better to use Uber and other ride sharing apps to get around. FYI, Kevin O’Leary told his viewers not to buy a car.
This is what my late wife did over the twenty years of our marriage. She insisted on handling *all financial transactions* and would not discuss budgeting. We lived paycheck to paycheck for twenty years while she made minimum payments on three credit cards until they all were maxed out. When she died, suddenly I became solvent, and within two years I had substantial savings even though I had bought a new car. At this time I have mortgage free house, no credit card debt (paid off every month), and my only debt is a home improvement loan for the solar panels on my roof. The trick is to not buy things you don't need.
Become comfortable with looking poor in front of strangers.
The key to financial freedom ❤🙏
We Americans have this paycheck to paycheck addiction....deadly!
I’m always saying this to myself . We must learn to sacrifice a few shopping sprees and wants and then we shall really see the beautiful fruit off our labor .
Love this sis! With each raise I get, I increase my 401K contribution by 1%, and add a bit more to my savings contribution.
Love that! Thank you for watching!
Ahhh!!! That's a great idea!!! I gotta try this.
I love your advice to plan “fun” spending. An extensive focus on saving without fun can lead to a large impulsive purchase during a moment of weakness. Fun spending is like dieters allowing themselves a cheat day once per week.
I love this analogy!
So many people I know are dealing with lifestyle creep, so hearing some great advice tips and advice here will do wonders! I know personally that even doing things like getting items you like from the second hand market or putting extra money towards the $1000 project can really help change this mindset. xCC
Having less is sooo much more... Easier to maintain and have money at the same time...😊 ❤ ❤
this was super informative! I recently started a job where I make $50K a year but I'm still recovering from working a job where I made $35K a year but before that, I made $65K. when I was working that first job I was very aggressively paying down debts so my lifestyle was pretty similar to when I was making $35K but now I'm starting to enjoy the extra income since I've paid off so much like my car and some other larger debts and I'm trying to stay in track and SAVE! great video!
This is facts. Sometimes it takes time to enjoy the new income when you have debt.
This is VERY tempting. I'm debt free other than my house but about 6 months ago I got a new job and a decent increase in pay. I was very close to buying a new car which would have put myself into debt again. Luckily, new cars were in short supply at that time and they were getting more expensive so I decided not buy a car.
There's a video somewhere here on TH-cam titled something like "How Your Car is Keeping You Poor" (or something), and the advice there was someting like "Never buy a brand new car" and only ever buy a car that's at *least* 5 years old (because by that time, it's going to have depreciated in value about as much as it's ever going to).
Set up a brokerage account dedicated towards a car purchase.. You probably already have an Emergency Fund since you have just a mortgage and no other debt.. probably a 401K too..Nothing wrong with saving for your vehicle ahead of the purchase.. and the monthly contributions into an investment account would show you the benefits of saving ahead of time, better than a CD Ladder..There are add-on able CDs but the growth is limited comparatively
@@IanHollis I live in Spain and having a brand new car is REALLY a thing. I had never seen so many brand new cars (if you want to see the latest released models this is the place) before moving here^^
Thanks for mentioning that upgrading housing or transportation is not lifestyle creep if what you have isn't meeting your needs! I feel a little bad about how much money gets spent on gas and car insurance, because when I only had one kid I took the bus everywhere and we didn't own a car, and that was so much cheaper. But now that I have three kids, it helps a lot to have a car. Not an expensive car (a 25 year old Honda), but cars in general are just expensive to maintain!
This is good advice!
Though, I have to say....if I get a promotion or a raise, I will not be continuing a side hustle. I will be reclaiming that time to relax and spend time with family & friends
Helpful and concise video. Being concise is a difficult thing to do!!! I am in my 30s and just now “ waking up” to the consequences of my overconsumption as a way to self-soothe. The psychological burden is heavy, so I hope more people take the awareness of life style creep to heart ❤️ At the end of the day, it’s not good for your health.
So true! I'm almost 30 and look back at the well paying gigs I was fortunate enough to have at different points in my 20s and am disappointed at how little I have to show for it. I will definitely be using monthly financial goals in my 30s!
I agree with this 100 percent. Before buying something, I say to myself 1st) Is this a need or a want? 2nd) How is this going to improve my life or another persons life (if a donation has been requested)? 3rd) How will getting this today, effect both my short term and long term financial goals? Only if it passes all three steps do, I then pull out my charge card (which, as you stated should always be paid in full at the end of each month).
This is because, true value comes from my relationship with the Holy Spirit, and not from other people and material things.
Those are great questions!
@@thebrokenwallet Thank you, for replying to my post and for your kind words.
I will wait and think on things before I make a purchase. Can I afford it? Yes. Then I give it a couple of weeks and if I'm still thinking about it, I'll get it. I just bought 2 things today that I've been thinking about for months. I don't like things for the sake of things and making myself wait has helped not clutter my space with expensive useless stuff and be much more mindful and practical.
My expenses have remained the same between 25 and 35. Never owned a credit card. Dont eat out much - and buy anything from the supermarket I feel like. Buying those expensive steak/cherries/soap at the store without having to think about it is a small flex I enjoy. Never had a car loan. Never had comprehensive car insurance (just third party) as my car is worth less than a month's income haha. Save on the BIG things and enjoy the SMALL things.
Ugh! I love how this video just starts! No lame intro or hellos, just straight to point. Thank you!!! 🙏🏽
I like this. Changing your mindset that as soon as you get any extra money, the first place it goes is into investments. Love it!
But watch out for the markets these days though 😩
I’m glad there is a guidance of 5-10% on fun. Now I don’t feel so guilty because I max out Roth and contribute a significant amount to a 403B but I don’t max that out so I feel guilty when I have fun sometimes
Increased salary saw me doing unnecessary things such as home appliances upgrades, home improvements. Thank goodness it did not extend to new clothes shoes jewellery ect. Investments have risen significantly through.
Got a pay raise this month. Perfect timing!!!
So true. Increase your investments instead. Hold off spending life till the end. Enjoy the journey.
Love this content and I hope young people are listening to you. I find my poorest friends have so much stuff. I have a friend that buys a Gucci purse just because she feels she deserves it but she buys it on credit and has very little income.
I love this!!! I always increase my retirement and I always live off what I made before. Get rid of the money (savings) before I see it.
Yes this is the biggest thing keeping a lot of people broke.
Ahh 🙏 the content I have been searching for.. This came at the perfect time. I am literally trying to save 150k to buy my own land and build a mortgage free home there as well. So excited ti continue this journey. In my opinion we buy materials in hopes to impress others. Our wallets not so much lol. Keep them coming
Don't wait. Buy now.
I say that because all of your rent is going right down the toilet rather than into your home equity.
Mortgage debt is not necessarily bad.
@@co7314 lol if you want to waste money on a mortgage thats u. I prefer to own my land and design my homes how i see fit. Not to mention I have enough acres to build a neighborhood if I choose to. Its sad you all are so brainwashed by society u cant even think or use ur own physical bodies to build what u MUST have in order to survive. Its okay to be self sufficient. U wouldn't be living day to day like a slave if u took the time to learn and invest in the things ur spending thousands your ENTIRE life trying to pay off. By the way i already spent 20k on 3.4 acres. Most people especially black ones are conditioned by the media and society to spend their earnings on materialism therefore keeping blacks especially needing assistance for the basics. Also im not white. So redlining and critical race theory and bogus credit calculations still affect my ability to get REASONABLE mortgage rates. Lets not act insolent to the white supremacist world we live in.
@@nottodaysatan8606 I'm sorry, I apparently offended you. I didn't mean anything bad by it. I just recently sold the first house I ever bought, and it worked out really well. If I didn't take out that mortgage (for a home with good bones in an improving neighborhood at the right price), I wouldn't have been able to build up so much financial security.
Maybe you stay somewhere for free, but before I bought my house, rent prices in my area were really high. It was so hard to save up enough & fix my credit. But I did it, I saved enough ($18000) for a 5% downpayment on a $150k house ($7500), escrow for the first year's property taxes & homeowners insurance ($4000), and the rest was for misc fees, moving costs & a "just in case" fund.
That locked me into a monthly housing cost of $1100 plus utilities... meanwhile rent in my area, even for something smaller, was average $1500 then and more like $1800 now.
The math just worked out better for me. I paid minimum $400 less per month on housing. That's over $38k saved over the 8 years I lived in the house. Paid myself back for the original $18k plus an extra $20k.
Obviously, do whatever you want. I'm not interested in indulging temper tantrums of strangers on the internet. I'm only interested in offering up the way I transformed my financial situation.
This is a great message. I didn’t know it had a name. Something similar happen to me in my late 20’s. I bought a car but didn’t adjust my spending. It took most my 30’s to get out of debt.
I have a rules, save 50% all pay increases, bonuses or unplanned income.
Better invest it. That money won’t grow in a savings account.
Thank You for the reminder. I am getting bump in pay and thought about getting a new comforter but found another blanket and that did the trick warm with money still in pocket. I’m gonna add to my emergency funds instead.
Standing orders have been my saving grace. Made my life so much easier I have savings and spending money too. I don’t have to worry about anything x
I don’t kayak as often as I would like. But, however, my friend found a great kayak for me on sale at Kmart going out of business. It was $120 for the cute blue kayak. I would use it more if I had a better vehicle to put it in.
My parents, selfish baby boomers went out and got the most expensive ocean kayaks they could find. They used them twice. When they downsized, they were too big for my place. But it was irritating that they blew through money they inherited like that. And I have nothing inherited and most likely never will. They inherited at least three houses. I don’t have any brothers or sisters and our generation in general gets zero houses for free.
Someone sounds entitled to their parents money!
Seriously. How about you work and do your own thing and not count others money.
@@teenindustry What do you know about me to say that? My parents got their money because they inherited it. I work twice as hard because I’m single. But they are spoiled baby boomers and blew through their money. So now who is going to pay for my mother to be in assisted living? She has Alzheimer’s. Are you going to take care of her? No! So stop making false assumptions because I spend all of my extra money on her and my daughter. So I am mad that they blew that money because it’s not there for THEIR care. Your comment goes towards what you would think and do.
I just drove across town on our crappy roads in my crappy crappy car to pick up my mom and bring her over and entertain her and spend time with her. She got bored pretty quick because apathy is very normal. SoI drove across town to bring her back to assisted living. I did that because I’m a good daughter and it’s the right thing to do.
But you just keep up insulting others on the holidays. When her money is gone, she will be in government housing that we pay for, BUT sure I AM THE ONE who is entitled? That hilarious 😆
@@Lijan01 What do you know about me to say that? My parents got their money because they inherited it. I work twice as hard because I’m single. But they are spoiled baby boomers and blew through their money. So now who is going to pay for my mother to be in assisted living? She has Alzheimer’s. Are you going to take care of her? No! So stop making false assumptions because I spend all of my extra money on her and my daughter. So I am mad that they blew that money because it’s not there for THEIR care. Your comment goes towards what you would think and do.
I just drove across town on our crappy roads in my crappy crappy car to pick up my mom and bring her over and entertain her and spend time with her. She got bored pretty quick because apathy is very normal. SoI drove across town to bring her back to assisted living. I did that because I’m a good daughter and it’s the right thing to do.
But you just keep up insulting others on the holidays. When her money is gone, she will be in government housing that we pay for, BUT sure I AM THE ONE who is entitled? That hilarious 😆
Thank you for putting a heart on my comment. It is obvious you understood that their money was needed for them to live and for their care, not for me. My point is that I didn’t need or want a huge kayak. I love the little cute one I have.
But people will always judge what you say before they know the true story. Most especially these days. It seems like everyone needs to put other people or things down to boost themselves up. For example I love watching TH-cam videos of old music. Someone will always make a comment about how great music was back then and not like that horrible stuff today. I’ve started saying something because I love music and they make great music today too. You don’t have to hate a thing to like a different thing. People do not seem to understand that.
Great guidelines. Health is wealth. As earning capacity (and workload/responsibilities) increase, I believe it’s important to invest in one’s quality of life. Some things that could seem like “lifestyle creep” may also be a direct investment in one’s quality of life = better physical/mental health.
Absolutely impressive…your presentation hits the core of our existence. Thank you!
Thank you too!
I spent the first decade of my early earning years getting a doctorate. I got a full ride from my university. But that meant, until you're about 30, you are living right at the Federal Poverty Line. This has conditioned me to be extremely frugal but also 'ghetto fabulous.' So, I have never suffered from lifestyle creep. Most people think I live the luxe life. But I do it all on a budget.
I have to admit I'm a minimalist to begin with. I don't like shopping or spending money. Sometimes I think I should've been a bookkeeper. Not only do I keep to a budget, I use a column book for my budget. At the end of the month I add up each column both down and across for daily spending. Then I carry those monthly totals forward to the next month and so on for the whole year. Writing down what you spend really opens your eyes to where you are overspending. I don't go to movies for several reasons. Too expensive just to get in and then if you get popcorn because it's a sin to watch a movie without popcorn, LOL, you may as well just dump your bank account into the cash register at the theatre. Plus with everyone on their cells in the theatre, it's just too distracting. So I wait for a movie to come out on DVD and it hits the cheap bin at Walmart. For less than 1/3 the cost of going to the movie I can have the DVD ($5.00) and watch it over and over. I don't have Netflix or any of that stuff either.
Thank you for sharing. I can relate with the movies. After spending the last year streaming new movies at home (it's cheaper for us), going back to the actual theater will feel like a rip off.
Your videos have changed my life. Thank you 😊
You're welcome! I appreciate you letting me know. Thank you for your support!
This is truly THE key to building significant wealth!
I sometimes struggle with what’s lifestyle creek vs what’s me living the life I’ve always wanted to live which may be the reason why a person increases their pay.
YES! This is EXACTLY what I needed to see today. I really feel like I'm currently experiencing some lifestyle creep as a result of my new job. I'm still saving but I could be saving/investing a lot more.
I want to be very conscious of this idea and I know it'll be a challenge! I'm in between jobs right now and my new job's pay is almost twice the amount of my old one. Very practical and helpful tips, thank you!
This came on my feed at the right time, you've made me rethink a lot of things, thanks alot.
You’re welcome!
Thank you! I just got a job raise and this was a great reminder that I am at a good age to really take my investments seriously.
This is exactly what i’ve been doing the last few years. I’ve decided that from now on, each pay raise will go directly to increasing my 401K contribution. It sounds weird to say, but I don’t need more money, I need more discipline. I’ve always loved buying stuff. I have too much of almost everything. My saving grace has been that I don’t really care about cars. Clothes, shoes, and tech gadgets are my vices, everything else I can leave alone. But she is absolutely right, lifestyle creep is a clear and present danger.
This channel is awesome. Thanks a lot! I have had two pay raises over the last six months and regrettably my spending has almost tripled! So I can use this advice. Thanks again, subscribed!
Welcome and thank you for the sub
When my income increased, I immediately bumped up my 401k to 20% instead of 10%. Just the other day, I noticed income creep was happening, I wasn't putting anything into my savings like I normally was. So I set up a direct deposit to my savings account that is a separate bank from my checking account.
I have my 401K set for the minimum needed to get the matching funds from employer. I funnel all extra income to my personal brokerage account, since I get a LOT better annual returns (even after taxes) strategically researching & investing in certain stocks on my own & flipping them for short-term capital gains.
@@inctru I do the same. But for people that don't research the market like us, increasing their 401K is probably best.
Love this advice. I was so fortunate to receive a sizable salary increase when I switched jobs, and I’ve been seeing lifestyle creep for sure. What has helped though is increasing 401k contributions and splitting my direct deposit between accounts. For example, my rent, utilities and loans are the exact same each month, so I set that amount aside into a bank account that I don’t look at often. So that’s a part of my income that I never see in my general checking account and get tempted to spend that portion of my pay. Add to that, my 401k contribution increase is more money that I effectively don’t ever see.
Thank you for sharing your experience with us!
Instantly subbed. Saving money is my jam.
I needed to hear this today. I do spend to self soothe. And also I am reminding myself that I. Do. Not. Need. A. New. SUV!
Must needed I got a raise & two bonus checks
Congratulations 🥳
Thank you for watching and congratulations!
You're a tremendous blessing!💯%👌
You are on point 🎯 as usual!✅
I appreciate that!
The thing is when you were poor all your life and suddenly you can afford stuffs you just buy everything you want even useless cause it's new and exciting and like a new power.
But be careful.
This video came at the right time. I am so proud of myself that I said “no” and I was literally one click away from purchasing yet another handbag. 🙄 one day at a time lol. the struggle is real, but I’m trying. Thank you for the tips.
Bookmarking this cuz this advice is so practical and straightforward. The moving of money to a separate saving is SO useful. It literally hits the "out of sight, out of mind" principle
Your video was suggested on my home page. I enjoyed your tone of speaking. Keep doing a good job!
Thank you!
The only time I don't pay a credit card in full is when I have a 0%-2% APR offer for X amount months. The allows me to increase my cashflow for other things.
Tell me why I subscribed in less than 4 seconds, your voice was just enough 👌
Welcome and thanks for the sub! 🤗
I love not buying what you can rent! There really is no point in buying a boat or an RV when it's not a regular part of my lifestyle.
Exactly. More recently I've been thinking about buying a kayak. But I don't live off a lake, so I don't know how often I would really use it...plus there's the cost of installing a rack. In the end, it's probably better to pay the $10 and rent one.
Truth! I was always told to act like i never got a raise when i got promoted. All the extra money is saved/invested automatically.
I love how some of the lifestyle creep mentioned here is not even possible for a regular income living under their means.
I got a significant increase and unexpected bonus today. I immediately came to view this video. Thank you for the tips.
On the renting thing -- you can also rent tools! Almost no one needs to own a pressure washer or a table saw. They can be rented from hardware stores, though. Same with giant ladders and carpet cleaners.
Excellent suggestion. Thanks!
Thank you for such a concise video that got right to all the points! I didn’t need to watch a 20 min video to get the main point lol
Glad you enjoyed it!
Lifestyle creep can be beneficial or hazardous depending on circumstances..If your income is well below the norm, it doesn't hurt to absorb a windfall a little to improve your economic situation.. but realize what you absorb can hinder growth for getting ahead....
Yes, this was me for many years. No emergency fund or plan. Just stuff! It was emotional and embarrassing! Have and Stick to the plan!
I'm so happy to have found your page today! This was so helpful. I am now subscribed!!
Yay! Thank you!
I look at how miserable the people inflicted with lifestyle creep are whenever I feel it creeping up in my own life.
what a smart woman .
you are a wise woman
all respect to you .
Thank you! 😍
Don’t live in a hedonistic city that encourages the creep. Miami/LA/NYC is full of people who flex for social media and for their neighbors. Live in a place that doesn’t have a famous street dedicated to upscale shopping.
Surround yourself with people who make less than you. Instead of trying to live upwards, you’ll live downwards so as to not stand out and look like a braggart.
GET OFF SOCIAL MEDIA. There’s nothing for you there but a mirage of the great lives that everyone is living. It’s a sham.
The less you have, the less you have to pay for. Unburden yourselves, stop chasing materialistic things that you can’t take with you after death.
Excellent video, concise and to-the-point, rooted in concrete, common sense ideas and suggestions! So many lifestyle videos are a lot of fluff. Your video adds true value, and I love the term, "lifestyle creep!" It's thought-provoking too! Thanks!
People who rent expensive bags, cars, to look appropriate at expensive higher-ups events, are actually smart.
My digital financial advisor! 🥳
Happy to help! 😀 Thank you for watching!
Thank you for making this video, I was definitely the type of person who would over spend, but now I opened a savings account and I'm trying to start saving because of my health. This was very helpful, I'm happy I came across this video! 🥺
I’m trying so hard to avoid this. But tools like affirm, afterpay or zip really help me attain some of the things my family wants.
Great advice. I truly enjoy your content.
I appreciate that! Thank you for your support!
Good teaching. I will be mindful of this concept.
I was able to meet my retirement timeline by doing this...along with downsizing to a more affordable home-ditched the mortgage!
This is such important advice. The priority should not be on acquiring stuff but on maximizing your investments and investing in future you. Got a raise? Good, now you can contribute more to your 401k or Roth IRA account or savings account . Like you said, the goal is to not be tempted to spend the money so allocating it right away works really well.
Ughhhhh I just bought a Cartier watch but to be fair I've saved $140,000 AND the cost of my watch was what I earn in two weeks of work. Outside of that i shop at TJ Maxx and Aldi lol
It's okay to treat yourself if you can afford it!
Perfectly communicated points 👌🏾
I'm here pausing my subscriptions smh... this video came right on time!!
So true!! I look at my old food budget and was like ???? How am I double that now?
This absolutely makes all kinds of sense! Thank you, I’m going to start being more mindful of my spending!
Finally realizing I need to get serious about saving-happy to be debt free later this year. Another great tip I learned is to steadily increase 401k every year. Tracking all my purchases help to see where my money is going.
Great advice and tips 👍
I have always kept my spending limits below any salary raise I've had. I never purchase anything that isn't necessary, would cost more than my monthly mortgage payment or I haven't saved for. If I want something I look for stuff on reconditioned sites and put a set amount away in my savings account and when I reach the amount I need then I buy and avoid the guilt or worry afterwards. I love travelling so I apply the same logic. I have lots of patience so I can wait to have what I want; I am not concerned with trends or what's "popping on the Gram" as I know that many of these influencers are actually living on credit and basically broke in real life. Lots of great tips in this video but they only really apply to people that are out here flexing designer items that lose their value as soon as they buy them and all without the millionaire income to support it.
Great video, thank you for the tips! I never understood why would anyone buy a kayak or a boat or anything that could be rented easily. Unless you are a professional kayaker then I don’t see the point
I loved this and subscribed within 20 seconds
Welcome! Thanks for helping me grow!
Great subject; wonderful suggestions.
Thank you!
I'm in a position like this rn at 23 years old there are alot of things I have always wanted and I could go buy them or further my savings.
There is some excellent advice in this video; thank you.
You're very welcome
perfect timing!
Great tips!
Thank you!
Also another few things to add to this list:
1) Be careful with Subscriptions. You’ll be surprised- and I learned it a messy way. 😥
2) For fast consumer technology, like smartphones, skip a few generations. Ask your friends or family members know that if they are going to upgrade their model, can they give you their old model. Then when they buy, they will give you their old model. Get it refurbished if you need to.
Don't buy what you can rent - AMEN!
One house and two cars is enough to take care of as is. A boat or cabin? No thanks!
Regarding "Spend Intentionally" - my response is ESPECIALLY if it is on furniture. It is easy to buy an item of furniture and it get delivered to your place, but can be very hard to get rid of it later. My younger self bought furniture that was not exactly what we wanted, but was the less expensive option. However, it ended up sticking around for a lot longer than we originally planned. For big, bulky items or items that are hard to move or sell, it's better to wait and buy exactly what you want than to settle for something cheaper that you will regret in a few years.
Love this! Thank you for the awesome video.
Killer tips!! Instant sub!! ❤
Thank you and welcome!
Just happened upon this video and I'm subscribing. This content is exactly what I need in my life. 💖
Thanks for the sub! Glad you like the video
Great video! A topic that is rarely covered but extremely important !