💸 Why You’re Still Broke (Even With a Higher Sweldo) And How to Escape the Lifestyle Inflation Trap

You finally got that raise. But somehow…you’re still living paycheck to paycheck. Sound familiar?

You’re not alone, and you’re not financially irresponsible either. What you might be experiencing is a quiet money killer called lifestyle inflation.

Let’s break it down, understand what’s happening, and show you how to fight back—without depriving yourself.

In today’s edition, we’ll go over:

• What lifestyle inflation is

• The Treadmill Effect; Keeping up with the Joneses

• Yolo Mindset vs Delayed Gratification

• 5 Tips to Combat Lifestyle Inflation

TLDR;

The Bottom Line

• Lifestyle inflation is real – As income grows, so does spending (but savings stay flat).

• Social pressure fuels it – TikTok hauls, influencer culture, and the YOLO mindset normalize overspending.

• Checklist reveals the truth – If you checked 3+ signs, you're likely in the lifestyle inflation trap.

• Fight back with strategy – Automate savings, cap lifestyle upgrades, detox your spending, and apply a rule to every raise.

• Wealth ≠ income alone – The goal is intentional spending, not just a bigger paycheck.

The content

What is Lifestyle Inflation?

Lifestyle inflation is when your spending increases as your income increases. You earn more. But instead of saving or investing, you upgrade your phone, move into a bigger condo, or treat yourself to more “small” purchases that add up.

More money. Same stress. Still no savings.

The Treadmill Effect 

This is also known as the Hedonic Treadmill: You get more, you feel good, but only for a while. Then you want more again.

Without control, this cycle never ends. You run harder but stay in the same place financially and mentally.

“Keeping Up With the Joneses” — Now in TikTok Form

Lifestyle inflation used to be about keeping up with neighbors. Today, it’s worse. Influencers, vlogs, TikTok hauls, and must-have lists normalize ₱5K shopping carts and ₱50K phones.

You don’t realize it, but you’re subconsciously trying to match the lifestyle of someone who may earn 10x more (or is faking it).

That’s not financial growth. That’s a trap.

It’s Not Always Big Hauls. Sometimes It’s Just ₱80 More

When we talk about lifestyle inflation, most people imagine luxury items or ₱10K shopping carts.

But the truth is: it often creeps in quietly.

• You used to be okay with a ₱100 carinderia meal. Now it’s ₱300 from a food app + ₱59 delivery fee.

• You used to shop twice a year. Now it’s monthly “budol.”

These feel like small upgrades. But they can easily become ₱2,000–₱5,000 in untracked monthly spending. Lifestyle creep doesn’t shout—it whispers.

YOLO vs. Delayed Gratification: What’s the Trade-Off?

Let’s be real: YOLO culture is strong (don’t get me started on doom spending!) After all, we work hard, we want to enjoy life.

But here’s the catch:
YOLO often robs your future to fund your now.

Delayed gratification doesn’t mean no gratification. It means choosing long-term stability over instant thrill.

When you:

• Save your bonus instead of upgrading your gadget…

• Skip the ₱50K vacation and invest it for future freedom…

• Build a solid emergency fund instead of flexing on social media…

You're not being “kuripot.”
You're being smart.

Financial peace is more luxurious than any branded item, and it lasts longer, too.

Actionable Tips for You

Do You Have Lifestyle Inflation? [Checklist]

5 Non-BS Ways to Combat Lifestyle Inflation

These aren’t “skip the iced coffee” tips. These actually work:

1. Automate Your Wealth Building

Set up auto-transfer to your savings, investments, or MP2 right after your pay check hits.

What’s not in your wallet, you won’t spend.

2. Set Lifestyle Caps

Earn more? Great. Cap your spending on “wants” to 20–25% of your income, regardless of how big it gets.

3. Upgrade Your Life… Deliberately

Yes, enjoy your money. But ask: Will this upgrade improve my quality of life daily, or just look nice on IG?

If it’s just for clout, skip it.

4. Audit Your Subscriptions & Recurring Expenses

Do a “subscription detox” every quarter. Cancel what you don’t use.

5. Have a Rule for Every Raise

For every ₱1,000 salary increase:

• Save/invest ₱500

• Spend ₱300 guilt-free

• Give or gift ₱200

This way, you build wealth and enjoy your money without the spiral.

Final Thoughts

More sweldo doesn’t automatically mean more financial freedom.
But intentionality does.

You don’t have to be a minimalist. You just need to stop living like your money has no job.

Do you like this issue? Reply and let us know!

Stuff Worth Sharing

The Link Lowdown

• Overconsumption in TikTok Restocks is CRAZY - I was watching videos about overconsumption in the US (endless hauls, buying stuff just to unbox it) and realized: this happens in the Philippines too. We may not call it that, but lifestyle creep is just as real here.