The Scam Called “Lifestyle Inflation

Got a raise? Awesome. Now suddenly it’s oat lattes, Uber Premium, and new AirPods — all justified with “I work hard, I deserve this.”

That’s lifestyle inflation.

What it means: Your spending grows as your income does. But your savings? They don’t move.

Why it’s dangerous: • It feels normal. • It’s socially accepted. • And it keeps you from building real wealth.

The fix? Upgrade your lifestyle after you upgrade your savings. Otherwise, you’ll always feel “broke” — no matter your salary.