Have you ever received a raise only to find yourself purchasing more ‘non-essential’ items? Or earned a bonus only to blow it on a vacation? Yep, that’s lifestyle creep. We’re talking all about the sneaky ways our choices can shift as our earning increase and how this can derail all our frugal hard work! Listen in to learn how to prevent and respond to this happening in our own lives!
Sponsors:
- Frugal Friends Florida Meetup! This year we’re doing 2 in-person meet ups. Mark your calendar for the first one: April 17th in St. Petersburg, FL. More details to follow but if you’re itching to visit sunny St. Pete and hang out with other Frugal Friends this is your opportunity. We’ll hopefully be doing another in Austin, TX in September but we’ve learned to stop planning ahead so definitely try to make it to this one if you’re in the area. Visit frugalfriendspodcast.com/meetup to let us know you’re coming
- The Creep Detector: for all those strolls through the park, blind dates, or literally waiting in any line anywhere. It’s the extension of your instincts and gives you that added security and clarity when you are indeed within a 15ft radius of a creep. Creep detector use code ‘slimy’ for a 10% discount. Also – trust your instincts.
Notable Notes:
What the Internet has to say:
This article from Forbes defines lifestyle creep and explains how much this can cost us in the long run.
What Jen + Jill have to say:
- J‘Lifestyle inflation’ – when expenses increase with income
- Mostly an issue when your savings doesn’t keep up
- Can happen to anyone in any ‘bracket’ of earnings – this isn’t just a message to those increasing wealth significantly
- ‘It’s like running in place’
- Prevent lifestyle creep by automating savings
- Spend responsibly and mindfully
More from the Internet:
This article from Savology gives us tips to combat lifestyle creep and lifestyle inflation
More from Jen + Jill:
- 1. One-time rewards
- 2. Set + track financial goals
- 3. Budget your spending money (snapshot of money coming in and going out)
- 4. Max out retirement funds
- 5. Invest any extra money Emergency fund
- High interest account for sinking funds
- 6. Avoid dramatic life changes
- 7. Review and change your circle
- 8. Build a financial plan and stick to it
BILL OF THE WEEK – Thank you Haley for sharing your bill about paying off your car with the money you saved on your downsized wedding!
Rachelle thanks for sharing your non-bill about not needing to pay $1900 on your car repair because of your warranty!
If you want to submit your bill of the week visit frugalfriendspodcast.com/bill to leave us a bill
Lightning Round
Lifestyle creep experiences
- Jen- small kitchen appliances
- Jill- we bought a boat…(used and broken. But still a boat. AND now we’re selling it :))
Wrap-Up:
Thanks so much for listening! Keep leaving us reviews on iTunes or Stitcher, and sending the screenshot to frugalfriendspodcast@gmail.com. AND share our most recent episode on social for a chance to win a copy of the Frugal Friends Workbook!
Thanks for listening! See you next week!