This is such a great question because it touches on both emotion and practicality. Getting a significant increase in income can feel like a new beginning. It is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. When your income changes, your relationship with money changes too.
The truth is, when your income grows, your mindset has to grow with it. Most people assume that more money automatically means more peace or happiness, but without intention, it often just leads to more spending. This is what psychologists call hedonic adaptation, which means we quickly adjust to a higher standard of living and then start craving even more.
Before you make any big decisions, give yourself time to breathe. This moment is an opportunity to build something stronger, not just repeat the same habits with more money
behind them.
Here is what I would do.
1. Revisit your values, not just your budget. Ask yourself what matters most to you right now. Maybe it is paying off debt faster, or maybe it is saving for something meaningful. The goal is to make sure your spending and saving reflect the life you
actually want, not what others expect.
2. Create a plan before your lifestyle catches up. Write down exactly how you will use this increase before it blends into your regular routine. Decide how much will go toward debt, savings, and enjoyment. When you assign every dollar a purpose, it prevents that quiet creep of lifestyle inflation that can make your raise disappear.
3. Let yourself celebrate, just not all at once. It is healthy to enjoy some of your raise. Pick one thing that feels rewarding and intentional. This helps satisfy the emotional part of your brain that wants to feel the win without undoing your progress.
4. Reflect on what money means to you now. A raise can trigger deeper emotions about worth, safety, and identity. You might feel pressure to give more, help family, or spend to match others. Pay attention to those feelings. Awareness is the key to long-term stability and peace.
The psychological shift after a raise is not about learning how to spend more. It is about learning how to hold more — more responsibility, more options, more power over your choices.
When you slow down and realign your values, your income becomes a tool for fulfillment rather than a trigger for impulse. That is when a raise becomes something life-changing instead of just lifestyle-changing.
THINGS I AM LOVING
Lately, I’ve been re-listening to all of the Sword & Scale podcast episodes. If you’ve followed me for a while, you already know how much I love true crime. Sword & Scale was recommended to me last year, and while it can be a little explicit and intense at times, the host, Mike Boudet, is such a talented storyteller, and I actually think he’s really funny. It’s one of those podcasts that pulls you in and keeps you there, even when you promise yourself you’ll only listen to one episode.
The second thing I’ve been loving lately is something completely different — paint-by-number art. I recently got my cortisol test results back, and let’s just say they were not great. So I’ve been focusing on finding more peaceful activities that help me slow down and quiet my mind. A friend bought me my first Number Artist canvas, and
it has been such a calming and surprisingly fun way to relax. I’ve been working on it during my son’s naps, and at the pace I’m going, I’ll probably finish it sometime next year. But honestly, I’m perfectly okay with that.
HAPPENING AT TBM
7 WAYS TO SPEND MONEY BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPING
Black Friday is a
great opportunity to save money on your Christmas shopping, but you need to go into it with a plan. Here are seven ways you can save money Black Friday shopping.
Plan your life with intention The Live Rich Planner helps you map out your days and your priorities so you can create a life that feels purposeful and organized.
Daily, weekly, and monthly planning Use the calendar layouts to see what is coming up, stay on top of commitments, and create routines that support your goals.
Track your habits and your wellness. The planner includes space for your habits, movement, meals, and mental health check-ins, so you can care for yourself while caring for everything else around you.
Monthly money snapshot Use the finance spread to stay aware of where your income and expenses and stay aligned with your financial goals throughout the month.
Available in small and full size Choose the size that fits your lifestyle and the way you plan.
Get ready for Thanksgiving with this free printable Thanksgiving meal plan — a simple way to organize your dishes and ingredients for an easy, stress-free holiday!
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