Lifestyle Creep
I ran across this great article about Americans and their little splurges that add up. I am guilty of this. Since joining the frugality team, I made a plan to spend a certain amount of money per month on my credit card. I’ve kept up with that plan and I haven’t used the card since my frugality vow. I already save automatically through my 401(k) at work. But, I know I can do better if I would practice penury.
For instance, this past weekend, I didn’t spend a lot of cash, but I did buy a drink at the bar for $12. Maybe I should have had a coke? Part of being frugal and fabulous is maintaining your budget and your lifestyle. Can you really do both?
Blogger Ms.Money Savvy posted on lifestyle creeps a while ago. I always thought it was a good post. I don’t want to be a miser grouch. But, having debt doesn’t make me happy either.
Here are some tips on stopping the money drain.
Let’s talk about it! Do you have a lifestyle creep that needs to stop? Are you hanging at Starbucks too much? Are you buying up too many accessories for the house? Or, are you the person who never spends a nickel and feels like life is passing them by?
9 Responses to Lifestyle Creep
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Hi my name is Natalie and I’m a shopaholic. Even with this vow of frugality the hubs and I have taken b/c of his grad school, I managed to drop $100 this weekend at Ann Taylor.
I don’t know how it happened, I don’t! Did we have the money? Yes. But should I have saved it for a time when we needed it since our cashflow fluctuates. Yes.
But am I loving my new shoes? Yes. I mean — they were buy one get one half off, how can you beat that.
OK, I’m quitting now.
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It’s definitely a balancing act to find the happy medium between spendthrift and miser. Two things really help me – avoiding temptation (staying out of the mall, stores if I know I don’t want to spend) and artifical scarcity (putting money out of my reach by either moving it to savings or sending extra to the mortgage, etc.).
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If I have a lifestyle creep it’s buying lunch at work. I’ve tried to address it by going to the supermarket more and eating leftovers for lunch, but my job usually means I have to have lunch out of the office with someone. The problem comes in when it’s time to get reimbursed for the money I spent for lunch because I’m not great at keeping track of receipts.
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I am a saver at heart but yes the lifestyle creep does knock at my door. On my recent vacation I spent well over $600 in the course of umm 1 hour, maybe less. Yes, I was on vacation, yes I liked the items, but was it necessary, probably not. I won’t even get started on what my sister spent. Yet I am pleased with all of my purchased and I know this is not something I will do everyday but, I will tighten my belt for the rest of the month, yes the remaining 4 days..lol and I will not over spend. In fact I may not have another major spluge until July. I think it is all about keeping things in perspective. If you are saving properly, putting as much as possible towards your 401K and making smart choices, when you do a little too much in one instance it shouldn’t hurt you too much, as long as it does not become a habbit.
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Oh I forgot to mention that I started to bring my lunch to work. Not so much because of the money but because I wanted healthier meals for lunch since I am on my fitness kick right now. But by not buying lunch I have saved saved saved. NYC is expensive..lol
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Bringing lunch helps, but honestly I budget for lunch. The real creep is that 11am breakfast from the deli. $2 for a sip of juice that would’ve bought a 1/2 gallon at the grocery store.
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My “Lifestyle Creep” is clothes. Overall, I have been doing much better. I rotate the clothes that are in my closet now. I have actually found whole outfits that I had totally forgotten about and had NEVER been worn. I was so ashamed.
I have actually gotten to the point where I no longer shop on my lunches anymore. There are too many impulse buying traps. Okay so that’s the good part. This long weekend brought in longtime friends that also love to shop. You already know what it led to. Yes, I spent about $150 on stuff I’m sure I either already have some version of or probably just won’t wear. I have already beat my self up about it. Friends what are they good for? LOL!
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Chronic lateness and procrastination is my creep and money hole. I realize that something as simple as waking up a little earlier would help out with saving money. I would remember about leftovers in the fridge, package it up and take it with me for lunch. I wouldn’t have to take a taxi to meet up with a friend or get to work when time gets short. I could buy presents for friends on line and get huge savings. The list goes on…
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Namesake-This Ann Taylor shopping stuff has come up before, I seem to remember. We are going to work on it. Step by step!
Savvy- Artificial scarcity. I like the way that sounds.
$ out of $.15-As journalists, we HAVE to be social for work. It’s how we get tips, network. It’s like a necessary evil.
PJD-It seems like you have balance. I need that!
Coco-DOWN WITH DELIS! BUDGET SLAYERS!
Kiauna-Ok, social spending is a MESS. You love your friends, but they can really cost you. You sure you can’t return some of the stuff?
Chic not Cheap-Hmm. Time is money, right? I may post on that topic. Good insight!
Natalie