WHY RAISES CAN STILL LEAVE YOU BEHIND
FROM BALTIMORE WASHINGTON FINANCIAL ADVISORS
with
Thad Ismart | CFP®, ChFEBC, CEPS
Senior Financial Planner
About This Episode
As income increases, spending often follows, sometimes without being noticed. In this episode, Thad Ismart explains how lifestyle creep quietly erodes savings and why even small spending increases can have significant long-term financial repercussions.
Full Description
Lifestyle creep happens gradually. A raise leads to nicer vacations. A bonus can turn into a bigger home or an upgraded car. Over time, higher spending becomes the norm—even when income fluctuates, or unexpected expenses arise. While these changes may feel manageable in the moment, they can quietly undermine long-term financial goals.
In this episode of Healthy, Wealthy & Wise, Thad Ismart, CFP®, ChFEBC, CEPS, Senior Financial Planner at Baltimore-Washington Financial Advisors, explores the real impact of lifestyle creep and why it’s one of the most common challenges in financial planning. Thad explains how incremental spending increases often go unnoticed until savings stall or financial stress appears.
The conversation highlights how lifestyle creep affects more than just monthly budgets. It can delay retirement, reduce flexibility, and limit the ability to respond to life’s surprises. Thad also discusses how social comparison and changing expectations play a role, making it easy to spend more simply because it feels “normal.”
Listeners will learn practical ways to manage lifestyle creep without sacrificing enjoyment. Thad emphasizes the importance of intentional spending, regular financial check-ins, and aligning lifestyle choices with long-term priorities. By setting clear goals and reviewing them as income changes, individuals can enjoy progress without losing control.
At BWFA, we help clients create financial plans that balance today’s lifestyle with tomorrow’s security. This episode encourages listeners to recognize subtle spending shifts and make thoughtful choices that support lasting financial confidence.
To learn more about building a sustainable plan, visit BWFA’s Financial Planning Services.
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