“Money is a tool, not the goal. Freedom is the goal.”
I saw this quote on social media last week and kept thinking about it. It’s pretty easy to get swept up in buying and spending more. I now live in a busy city and noticed that I was craving new clothes, shoes, nice restaurants etc.
Lifestyle creep happens when you start to make a little more than you did before, and so your spending creeps up. It happens to all of us over time.
I don’t even think it’s a problem necessarily. I do think it is a problem if I end up working a lot of hours to make a lot of money to keep up with over-the-top spending.
“Advertising has us chasing cars and clothes, working jobs we hate so we can buy sh!t we don't need.” - Chuck Palahniuk (Fight Club)
Sometimes people joke with me because I have so much free time. I could sell more hours or work through holidays but I chose time over excessive money.
Freelancing or running your own business gives you that choice more than any job ever will.
Being aware that it is a choice is the first step.
Enjoy your week,
Danny