‘Pag na-promote o nagka-salary increase, feel mo kaya mo na mag-level up. Pero at what cost?
Lifestyle inflation, narinig mo na ba ‘to? If not, pretty sure you’ve seen it all before. Picture this: you just got promoted at work, meaning you’re now earning more, meaning you start spending more, often on non-essential items.
Parang harmless, ‘di ba? After all, we’re always about treating ourselves when our hard work pays off. Pero ‘pag naipon na lahat yung mga ‘small upgrades’ you give yourself, mapapansin mo na lang that you’re caught in the web of lifestyle inflation.
Paano nga ba nagsisimula ang lifestyle inflation?
Madalas itong nangyayari 'pag nabibigyan ka ng salary increase, promotion, o bagong trabaho na mas mataas ang sahod. Siyempre, ‘pag nakaluwag-luwag ka na, feel mo kaya mo na mag-level up — bibili ng bagong damit, lilipat sa mas magandang apartment, kukuha ng mas high-end na smartphone, o mas madalas na magbakasyon in and out of the country.
Masaya siya sa simula pero ‘pag nasanay ka na sa ganitong lifestyle, mahirap na itong i-manage.
Living the “aspirational life”
Lahat tayo may natural na desire na iangat ang ating buhay. You know, it’s the kind of thing that you see on social media, where everyone seems to be living their best lives. So when our income rises, we think, “Okay, now’s my chance to start living that dream,” even if it’s just in small ways.
Kaso ang problema, ‘pag nasanay ka nang mag-upgrade ng mag-upgrade, tuluy-tuloy na ito hanggang ‘di mo na napapansin na pati ang mga simple at dati’y abot-kayang bagay ay ina-upgrade mo na rin. This translates to activities like shopping for more expensive groceries, frequent food deliveries, applying for more than one credit card, etc.
This chase for the “aspirational life” pushes us to spend more than we need to, just to keep up appearances. Wala namang masama rito pero ‘pag naging habit na ang pag-a-upgrade, nothing will ever be enough no matter how much you’re earning. Sacrificing financial security for short-term satisfaction isn’t always the smartest move.
Tips to avoid lifestyle inflation
Stop comparing yourself to others.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing your life to what you see on social media. But in reality, ang nakikita mo lang naman ay highlight reels nila, not their real lives. So know yourself deeply at mag-focus ka sa goals mo.
Know your Wants vs. Needs.
Bago gumastos, pag-isipan mo muna maigi kung kailangan mo ba o gusto mo lang. Maraming nababaon sa utang at nade-delay sa goals because of instant gratification.
Set financial goals.
Focus on saving for the future instead of splurging on stuff that won’t last.
Create and stick to a budget.
Having a plan makes all the difference kung gusto mo talaga mag-seryoso sa finances mo. Make sure you have a budget and follow it to monitor your spending.
Automate your savings.
When you automate your savings, you’re putting yourself first by paying yourself first. In a way, ‘di ka na madaling matutukso to spend money on unnecessary upgrades.
Lifestyle inflation is a sneaky trap na pwedeng unting-unti umubos sa finances mo kung ‘di ka mag-iingat. Madaling madala sa excitement ng mas malaking kita at sa desire na i-upgrade ang buhay na meron ka. Pero tandaan, ang tunay na financial freedom ay nanggagaling sa smart choices na ginagawa mo ngayon.
The key is balance — treat yourself when it’s right, but always keep your eyes on the bigger picture. Remembering these tips, you can protect your income and avoid lifestyle inflation, no matter how much you start earning.
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