Badass vs Dumbass
Master your Financial Kung Fu to be one and not the other.
Go to Sifu’s Notebook for 11 Signs You’re Suffering From Lifestyle Creep
Primer: Who are Sifu & Ronin
Episode 15: Ronin vs. The Creep
Sifu: What you got there, Ronin, a new toy?
Ronin: Oh yeah baby! Check it out, my man. It’s the latest smartwatch. It tracks everything from my heart rate to my sleep patterns. I’ll be so in tune with myself, I might just achieve Zen.
Sifu: Pffft, sure buddy, if you say so. Perhaps you’re simply suffering from lifestyle inflation. Today, I’m calling it inflation creep, cuz it’s creepy AF. I believe you have unleashed the kraken, #1.
Ronin: Whatchu talkin’ ‘bout Willis? Lifestyle creep? Sounds like a bad horror movie I’d find on Netflix after watching all the good stuff. Do I need to be worried about alien invasions, or is this a financial thing?
Sifu: It is 100% a financial thing. Lifestyle creep is the subtle, creeping effect that makes your expenses grow as your income increases, often in ways you don’t notice until it’s too late. Let’s you and me have a little fun – shall we? Why do I think you’ve fallen very deep into the lifestyle creep pit, Padawan?
Ronin: OK boss, fun city, we’re comin’ for ya!
1. The Never-Ending Phone Upgrade
Sifu: Let’s start with that shiny new brick in your hands – new smartphone I presume, Ronin? Tell me, #1, was your previous one not functioning well? Dropped calls? Missing texts? Broken Wi-Fi? No Bluetooth connection? Disappearing apps?
Ronin: No boss. All worked fine, but this brand new one has a camera with superzoom. I can now take amazing pictures of the lunar surface! Sick, right?
Sifu: Have you even peered through a real telescope, Space Invader?
Ronin: e-Nope.
Sifu: So you’re not a fan of astronomy?
Ronin: No, not yet. But … I could be!
Sifu: You’re killing me, Galileo Lite! The classic symptom. Your old phone was perfectly capable, yet you succumbed to the allure of the new model. This is the first sign of lifestyle creep—replacing functional items simply because something newer is available. Not badass, at all.
2. Dining Out: From Treat to Routine
Sifu: I noticed a stack of takeout containers in your kitchen, and I hear you’ve become quite the foodie. That right? Have you abandoned home-cooked meals?
Ronin: Ah man! Who has time to cook when there are so many amazing restos just on our block, never mind in the downtown core? It’s fun to go full-on restaurant critic!
Sifu: Fact – there are a plethora of amazing dining choices to eviscerate every last cent of your hard-earned money. What was once an occasional treat has become a bad habit. You’re probably spending more on meals out than you are on groceries. Creeeeep. And, what about “respecting your temple”? You know that all that fine dining is not nearly as healthy for you as the controlled meals you make in your kitchen.
Ronin: Whuuut? My six pack in danger?!
3. Living Paycheck to Paycheck Despite Raises
Sifu: Listen up, Casanova. Your paycheck seems to be running out faster than that time you ran out of the theatre when you realized the surprise blind date you had was with your second cousin, Thelma. What’s going on, bro?
Ronin: Had to bring that up, eh bossman? Still get PTSD from that night! Yeah, I didn’t even notice that my savings have not increased. I guess every time I get a raise, my expenses magically balloon. It’s like my salary and spending are in a very close neck and neck race.
Sifu: A race where there is one loser – you my friend are the Biggest Loser here. Lifestyle creep ensures that your income and expenses are always in a high-stakes game of catch-up. It’s like running on a treadmill that keeps increasing in speed—you’re working harder but getting nowhere.
4. Subscriptions Galore You Can’t Even Recall
Sifu: I see a lot of subscription charges on your account. Do you remember what they’re for?
Ronin: Oh yeah, those. I signed up for a few streaming service ages ago for some new hit series. The work buddies go on about the latest eye candy shows, and I gotta join in on the fun, you know how it is, eh bro? There are so many services – I actually don’t remember them all now. Cancelling would be a serious pain in the ass.
Sifu: Oh brother! A pain in your dumb ass, yes! Maybe that ass needs a swift kick to knock some sense back into you. These forgotten subscriptions are financial leeches, draining your account while offering little value. Lifestyle creep makes it too easy to accumulate them. Forgetting about them just makes it worse, #1.
5. Buying a New Car on a Whim
Sifu: I was told you went to new car dealership recently. Did the old one finally quit on you?
Ronin: No Sifu, but the new model whips are sick. And, the dealer wants to practically throw the keys at me, and the bank might even approve it. I need an upgrade, bro. My crusty whip is working but I’m getting tired of it. You know how it is, right Captain?
Sifu: Ai-ya! The old car is not perfect, but perfectly reliable, yet you want to trade it in for a new model simply because you can. Creeeeep! Don’t you do it, #1. Not on my watch!
Ronin: Ok ok. Will put that on permanent hold … for now 😉 Don’t kill me for window shopping, my man!
Sifu: Sure Ronin, window shopping… With you, one thing always leads to another! In a future lesson, I’m going to break down exactly how that new car purchase will set you so far back on your FIRE journey, you will instantly regret you even thought about it. Trust.
6. Your Closet: A Designer’s Playground
Sifu: Your wardrobe looks like you’re gearing up for a weirdo fashion show. What happened, MC Biggie Pants?
Ronin: Hey bossman, I’ve developed an appreciation for designer clothes. It’s like a personal statement. Gotta look good, am I right, my dude? Those baggie pants make my ass pop! Ladies love it 😉
Sifu: Oy! The only thing that’s popping is your credit card bill. Some of those big-ass pants are going to be so last-year in 3 months, dude! Ladies also love dudes who aren’t broke-ass bitches.
Ronin: Heard.
7. Grocery Bill Gone Wild
Sifu: I’ve noticed your grocery bill resembles a small country’s budget. What’s up with that? Maybe your dining bills and grocery bills are in a race as well, trying to outdo each other…
Ronin: Sifu, I’m learning so much on TikTok. Organic and artisanal products are all the rage. Can’t compromise on quality, right?
Sifu: Creeeeep! I think TikTok has killed off the few working brain cells in your numb skull.
Ronin: Doh!
8. Outsourcing Everyday Tasks
Sifu: I hear you’ve hired help for house chores. Was your cleaning routine too strenuous, big man?
Ronin: Hey, I’m a busy dude, Sifu. It’s more convenient, and I get to relax while someone else cleans. Especially the toilets – maybe I should eat fewer of them delicious street tacos covered with extra spicy hot sauce!
Sifu: Sheeeeeit! Literally, dude. You’ve convinced yourself to outsource tasks you once managed yourself. This leads to higher expenses and less personal responsibility. Say bye bye to your savings!
9. Tech Addiction: Always Upgrading
Sifu: Your collection of tech gadgets seems to grow. Are you using them all?
Ronin: I need the latest 8K resolution and surround sound to fully enjoy my movie marathons. It’s a matter of cinematic survival! Also gotta keep up with the latest just so I can talk shop with the guys at work.
Sifu: Dude! Your so-called buds from work are the going to be the end of you. You’re always chasing the latest trends, collecting gadgets like they’re Pokémon, but half the features are as useful to you as a screen door on a submarine. Get me bro?
Ronin: Yessir.
10. Vacation Standards Raised Sky-High
Sifu: I heard your vacation preferences have evolved. What happened to simpler getaways?
Ronin: Camping used to be my jam, but now I’m all about luxe vacations that scream “plush or bust.” If it doesn’t come with a personal butler, a bed that massages me, and a Michelin-star chef, it’s going to be a hard pass for me!
Sifu: Wow! Lifestyle creep transforms simple getaways into high-stakes luxury experiences. What was once a thrilling adventure in the wilderness is now an Instagram-worthy photo op in a lavish paradise. Creeeep!
11. The End of Bargain Hunting
Sifu: You used to hunt for bargains with zeal. What happened to that approach? Those were fun times too, no?
Ronin: Bah! I’ve leveled up past that. If I want something, I just buy it without checking the price. My wallet’s motto? “If you have to ask, you can’t afford it—so don’t even look!” Deal-hunting is so last last-century.
Sifu: Yes Ronin, I see you’re living life like a top rapper—minus the money, gold chains and lineup of starfuckers breaking down your door.
Ronin: Hmmm, none of that is happening, boss. Better work harder!
Sifu: I think you might have to reevaluate your spending habits to get it back under control. Your savings have gone nowhere even with your huge pay bump last year. You must be getting tired running on that hamster wheel. I must admit though – you are very quick on your feet, even with your oversized baggie pants.
Ronin: That’s it boss! I get it! I’m returning all my recent unnecessary purchases – everything except these bodacious big-ass pants, that is.
Sifu’s Notebook
11 Signs You’re Suffering From Lifestyle Creep
1. Your Phone Gets an Upgrade Even When It Doesn’t Need One
Your phone is perfectly functional, but as soon as the latest model is released, you find yourself pre-ordering it. You convince yourself that the new camera is a “must-have” even though you rarely take pictures.
2. Dining Out Is No Longer a Treat but a Habit
What used to be a once-a-month treat now happens three times a week. You used to pre-make work lunches on Sundays, but now your fridge is filled with leftover takeout containers.
3. You’re Living paycheck to paycheck despite raises
Despite earning more through raises and promotions, you still live paycheck to paycheck because your spending has increased to match your income.
4. You’re Paying for Subscriptions You Forgot About
You signed up for a streaming service to watch that new hit series, but that was months ago. Now, you have subscriptions to 7 different services – all paid on autopilot, and you barely watch them. But canceling? No time, too much effort!
5. You Bought a New Car Simply Because You Could
Your car is paid off and runs with zero issues, but you got a raise, and the latest model is calling your name. The bank said, “Go ahead, we’ll approve the loan.”, so you justify the purchase by telling yourself you worked like a dog, and deserve it.
6. Your Closet Is a Designer’s Playground and is Busting at its Seams.
You used to buy clothes on sale or at discount stores, but now you can’t imagine wearing anything that isn’t a high-end brand. To boot, your closet is now jammed and picking an outfit is impossible.
7. Your Grocery Bill is Out of Control
Organic, imported, artisanal, gourmet – your expensive taste is now reflected in your grocery cart.
8. You Outsourced Cleaning Because “You’re Too Busy”
You used to tackle house cleaning yourself, but now a cleaning service does the job while you “focus” on more important things—like binge-watching HBO Max.
9. You’re Always on the Cutting Edge of Tech, Even if You Don’t Need to Be
Whether it’s the newest smartwatch, tablet, or gaming console, you’re always first in line. You justify it by saying you need the latest features, but in reality, you haven’t even figured out how to use all the features on your current collection of electronics.
10. Your Vacation Expectations Have Changed
Camping in the woods used to be your idea of a fun getaway. Now, if your vacation doesn’t include a five-star hotel, spa treatments, and Michelin-star dining, you’re hit with FOMO. You’re spending more time making Instagram posts than in actual relaxation.
11. You No Longer Hunt for Bargains
There was a time when you’d never buy anything that wasn’t on sale. Now, you just buy what you want, when you want it, and don’t even glance at the price tag. The hunt for deals? That’s for the minions.
