Living for Today Without Regret – The Power of Intentional Spending

There’s a common fear surrounding lifestyle creep; the gradual increase in spending as earnings rise.

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The message is often explicit.

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Be careful not to let your spending get out of control.

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But what happens when careful financial planning restricts life’s experiences rather than enhances them?

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Many people grow up with a strong aversion to debt, believing it should be avoided at all costs. Others grow up with a strong belief that money should be collected and retained at all costs. While each of these approaches can lead to financial stability, it can also prevent people from recognising that some financial risks, when managed well and intentionally, can lead to enriching experiences.

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For example, imagine someone who had always avoided debt but, at one point, intentionally decided to finance a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Or someone that had been diligently squirrelling away money for years with no apparent purpose for the money and decided to let go for that same once-in-a-lifetime experience.

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Years later, they both looked back, not with regret but with gratitude.

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They had carefully planned for it, managed the financial responsibility well, and created memories that would last a lifetime.

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The key is balance—understanding when to be cautious and when to allow money to enrich life in a meaningful way.

Key Takeaway

If you struggle with balancing financial responsibility and enjoying life, consider the following:

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• Does my financial plan allow for meaningful experiences?

• Am I avoiding all debt, or am I using it wisely? 

• If I lost someone close to me, would I wish I, or they, had lived differently?

Money should be a tool to support the life you want, not something that limits it.

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If this resonates with you, take a moment to reflect on your financial habits.

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Are they serving you or holding you back?

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The next 10 years start now. How will you use them?

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