I follow someone on LinkedIn who runs a marketing company for financial planners. He’s very good — and his posts always make me think.
Every so often he talks about having “a hill you’re willing to die on. ”Not literally, of course. Just a belief you absolutely won’t budge on.
I have a few.
For example, I once found myself in a surprisingly long debate about David Beckham versus Kevin De Bruyne. For the record, I simply refuse to entertain the suggestion that Beck’s was the superior footballer.
Equally, I stand by two other firm views: anyone entering a singing competition (XFactor veterans, take note!) should steer well clear of Whitney Houston songs —and Blackadder Goes Forth is unquestionably the best of the four.
But you get the point. In financial planning, having a few professional non-negotiables is important. They shape how you advise, how you challenge, and sometimes how you gently push back.
One of mine is lifestyle creep. I’ve mentioned it before, but it’s worth repeating.
Lifestyle creep is the gradual increase in spending as income rises.
As earnings improve, spending quietly follows — slightly better holidays, more frequent car upgrades, eating out more often, a few extra subscriptions.
Individually each upgrade feels harmless. You’ve worked hard. Why not?
But over time, these small increases become permanent fixtures. Fixed costs rise. Expectations rise. And suddenly your “normal” is far more expensive than it used to be.
Often people don’t even notice it happening. Sometimes it’s subtle comparison —keeping up with the Joneses. Social media doesn’t help.
Now, I’m not suggesting a monk-like existence or extreme FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early) discipline where every pound is squeezed and life is permanently on hold. Life is for living. But it is about balance.
At some point you have to ask:
Do I really need…
Another holiday?
A newer car?
A bigger kitchen?
On their own, these decisions are rarely catastrophic. But over 10 or 20 years, the cumulative effect can quietly erode your future options.
I love the phrase: comparison is the thief of joy. It’s also often the thief of financial independence.
At some stage, there needs to be a line in the sand — a clear definition of what “enough” looks like for you.
Because I’ve yet to meet a 60-year-old who wants to work at the same pace they did at 40.
Energy changes.
Priorities shift.
Time becomes more valuable.
If you don’t plan intentionally, you may eventually face a difficult choice:
Work longer than you’d like, or retire earlier than planned and accept a lower standard of living.
Neither is ideal.
Financial freedom rarely happens by accident.
So yes — this is one of my hills.
Lifestyle creep is real. It happens to almost everyone.
The real question is: when is enough, enough?
