It is only natural to want to indulge and ‘treat ourselves’ when our salary or income increases. But if it is not handled carefully, this increase in spending—often referred to as “lifestyle inflation”—can cause problems. This phenomenon happens when our spending patterns increase in direct proportion to our income, creating a vicious cycle of increasing expenses.
Enjoying the results of our efforts is satisfying, but managing lifestyle inflation calls for a careful balance. It involves deciding wisely where to spend our money, making sure to support long-term financial security as opposed to just funding temporary indulgences.
What is lifestyle inflation?
Lifestyle inflation, also referred to as lifestyle creep, is the rise in spending patterns that happens as income rises. Financial goals, like retirement planning and future savings, may be hampered by this as our savings and investments in the future do not benefit from the increase in income.
One of the main signs of lifestyle inflation is when one’s spending increases quicker than their income. You can be experiencing lifestyle inflation, for instance, if your income grows by 10% but your expenses increase by 15%. This tendency may also cause some people to make more opulent decisions, such as upgrading to a more expensive car or going out to eat more often.
Lifestyle inflation is common due to several underlying issues. The need to “Keep Up with the Joneses” is a result of the fear of being less successful than peers, which encourages spending on non-essential items in order to uphold a particular social image. When people compare their possessions to those of others, they may feel tempted to spend more.
Furthermore, justifying expenses through a sense of self-entitlement is a common aspect of lifestyle inflation. This can manifest when individuals convince themselves that they deserve a fancier apartment or expensive items due to their hard work.
Why You Should Avoid Lifestyle Inflation
Reduced Savings
Lifestyle inflation frequently leads to heightened spending on non-essential items, resulting in individuals having less money to allocate towards savings for emergencies or future objectives.
Limited Wealth Accumulation
Consistent rises in living expenses without proportional increases in savings restrict the potential for accumulating wealth and experiencing financial growth over an extended period.
Financial Strain
Embracing lifestyle inflation might induce financial strain as individuals grapple with sustaining an elevated standard of living, especially amid economic uncertainties.
Impact on Long-Term Financial Aspirations
Lifestyle inflation can redirect resources from long-term financial aspirations such as home ownership, education savings, or retirement planning.
Reliance on Increased Income
Maintaining an inflated lifestyle often necessitates a continual income increase, fostering a dependence on salary increments and rendering financial stability susceptible to fluctuations.
Neglect of Investment Opportunities
Individuals may disregard investment prospects or the development of a diversified investment portfolio as they channel more income towards immediate lifestyle improvements.
How to manage (or avoid) lifestyle inflation?
Create a Feasible Budget – Establish a realistic budget that aligns with your financial goals. This helps control expenses and prevents unnecessary lifestyle inflation.
Be Mindful of Lifestyle Creep – Lifestyle creep occurs when your spending increases with income. Be mindful of this phenomenon, and consciously assess whether additional expenses align with your priorities.
Regularly Review Spending Habits – Periodically review your spending habits to identify and cut unnecessary expenses. This proactive approach helps in avoiding lifestyle inflation.
Set Clear Financial Goals – Establish clear financial goals and prioritise them over short-term, impulsive spending. This helps maintain focus on long-term financial well-being.
Avoid Comparisons – Do not compare your lifestyle with others. Focus on your unique financial situation and make spending decisions based on your needs and goals.
In conclusion, it’s crucial to strike a balance between income growth and responsible spending habits to achieve financial stability and long-term well-being. By establishing clear financial goals, creating a budget, tracking expenses, and prioritising needs over wants, you can effectively manage your finances and avoid the pitfalls of lifestyle inflation Remember, financial literacy and sound financial decisions are essential for achieving financial health and, security and pursuing your long-term financial goals.
