Ramit Sethi argues that "lifestyle creep" is the wrong frame for intentional spending. Once you understand your finances and build competence, purchases are deliberate choices. He introduces a "worry-free number": an amount you can spend without anxiety, which should grow as your financial confidence increases.
Why I hate the term lifestyle creep. You think I creeped my way into buying this sweater? Ooh, oops, tripped and fell, end up buying a cashmere sweater. That didn't happen. I think of it as conscious spending. I know what I'm doing. I know how much I can afford. I trust myself. I'm confident because I built competence. And that's what I want for you as well. Don't sweat small little expenses like buying organic broccoli. You should create a worry-free number and Anything below that, whether it's $5, $50, $2,000, you don't have to worry about. Here's the key. Your worry-free number right now should be way higher than it was at 20. That's the point.
