💸 I ran into the Lifestyle Inflation Trap

As my monthly dividends will soon cover my basic expenses,

That thought alone makes me feel less stressful..

But now I run into the temptation of inflating my lifestyle (which is not a good decision)

I catch myself thinking:

💬 Maybe I should upgrade my dresses, skincare, and cosmetics

💬 Maybe I should spend more on dining out or just take taxis instead of the MTR

💬 Or even crazier… rent a bigger place that would swallow 60% of my paycheck

I often feel guilty overspending because I am worried that I might run out of money when I am reaching 60 years old someday.

But at the same time, I wanted to treat and reward myself.

Hence I ran into the lifestyle inflation trap..

If I keep doing that, my savings rate will drop from 80% down to 20%.

That’s not freedom — that’s going backwards.

✏️ Why It Defeats the Purpose

The whole point of Lean FIRE is to remove pressure from work, so I can focus on passion projects and enjoy my career.

If my expenses balloon, I’d be right back to worrying about layoffs and stressing over bills.

That’s not financial freedom. That’s just a shinier version of the same trap.

🏡 My Compromise:

If I really want that dream apartment, I’ll save 1–2 years of rent first.

That way, even if I get laid off (touch wood), I can enjoy the upgrade without losing my safety net.

And when the lease ends, I can always move back to a place that fits my passive income portfolio.

Question of the Day 💬

- How do you balance saving, investing, and rewarding yourself?

Do you lean toward discipline, or allow lifestyle upgrades once you hit milestones?

PS: If you’re job hunting today, feel free to check out my guides on:

📝 Fixing Your CV & LinkedIn in 1 Day

Writing this article on last Saturday morning..

Still exploring good cafes with good coffee and wifi to allow me to write...

Recent Posts