[yodsanklai]

> The lifestyle creep just gets most people.

I changed industry a few years ago and as a result had a big income increase. I made a point of not changing my lifestyle because I know it won't last forever.

Unfortunately, it's quite difficult to commit to it. Not that I live a particularly wealthy lifestyle, but it's hard to renounce to the extra little comfort that money can get you. Little by little, you get used spending a bit more money.

Also, when you live in a very expensive city like NYC, simply living not too far from work in a decent appartement takes a big part of your paycheck.

[pilom]

The key to avoiding lifestyle creep is "pay yourself first". Set up automatic deductions to automatically pull money from your paycheck before it ever gets to your bank account. In the US, you can put $20k per year into a 401k account and another $6k into an IRA account tax free.

[sokoloff]

> you can put $20k per year into a 401k account and another $6k into an IRA account tax free.

Only if your income is relatively low (for US tech employees).

https://www.fool.com/retirement/plans/401k/contribute-to-401...

[bluedino]

> I changed industry a few years ago and as a result had a big income increase. I made a point of not changing my lifestyle because I know it won't last forever.

Same here. Making almost double, still in the same house and car, just saving money and paying down on the house.