Hey everyone,
I've been thinking a lot about lifestyle creep lately. Someone posted a few weeks ago about how they "couldn't imagine" living off of more than $18000 a year but... I used to live off of $800 a month and felt OK, but now I'm making more than that and feel like I'm not saving enough. I've looked at what's changed and it's all stuff that could be considered lifestyle creep, but also things that have enhanced my life.
For example, I bought a car (used, economy, cash. Unfortunately it has had quite a few issues so not so much as cost saving as I had hoped). Insurance, repairs, fuel, maintenance - it's expensive. But having a car has given me a level of freedom in my life I don't want to trade. And I get to work in 10 minutes instead of the bus route's 45. Groceries can take 30 minutes instead of 2 hours. It's amazing, I've never experienced the freedom of a car before. Next year I'm moving out of my cramped, depressing apartment and will probably pay $150-300 more a month in rent (hoping for the lower end obvs) - I'll still have roommates and it won't be a luxury place, but I want air conditioning and maybe a dishwasher. I'm going to the doctor more, finally got that dental crown put in, I'm considering a new mattress (I am in PT for back problems), I am taking my mom on a trip for her 60th.
I'm wondering - where do we draw the line between "hey I don't have to live like I'm in poverty anymore" and "lifestyle creep"? Because I definitely feel like some people on this sub want us all eating rice and beans forever to avoid lifestyle creep but... isn't a certain amount good? The amount you need to spend to be healthy and happy, but not more than that? And where do we draw the line?
May 01, 2018 at 05:09AM
