Lifestyle Creep

1 Peter 3:3-4

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”

I just recently learned this new term called Lifestyle Creep. Essentially, it means that as your income goes up, your spending follows suit, inching towards fancier preferences and non-essential goodies. And trust me, it is hard to go back. But sometimes that is a reality check we need to remind ourselves.

Let’s explore a straightforward example of lifestyle creep: COFFEE. Initially, a cup of home-brewed coffee costs a modest 16 to 25 cents. However, the creep sets in when we transition from the simplicity of generic home-brewed coffee to the convenience of K-Cups, doubling the cost per cup to 45 to 50 cents. Sure, there’s added convenience, but is it truly worth the price hike?

As your income expands, the once unthinkable expense of an $3.15 8 oz brewed coffee at Starbucks starts seeming reasonable. Suddenly, your cup of coffee has skyrocketed 12 times in cost. The journey doesn’t end there; evolving tastes lead to indulgence in lattes and cappuccinos, priced at a staggering $6 – $8 in some establishments—30 times the cost of your initial home brew.

While it may be challenging to reverse every aspect of lifestyle creep, initiating the process begins with scaling back on one luxury. Whether it’s cutting down on subscription streaming services, limiting named-brand fashion choices, or reducing expenses at expensive restaurants, making these adjustments will not only benefit your wallet but also enhance your prospects for building wealth.

As Romans 12:2 reminds us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Reflecting on 1 Peter 3:3-4, let our true adornment be the development of inner qualities rather than succumbing to the allure of fleeting material desires.

-HC