The Real Cost of My ‘Treat Yourself’ Mentality
By Beelinger Staff
Estimated read time: 6 minutes
“I deserve it.”
That was my go-to phrase for justifying everything from $6 lattes to $75 Sephora hauls and late-night Uber Eats binges.
Every swipe of my card felt like a tiny act of self-love. But my bank account didn’t see it that way.
When Self-Care Becomes Self-Sabotage
I’m not saying you shouldn’t enjoy your money. I believe in intentional spending. But my version of “treating myself” wasn’t intentional—it was emotional.
Here’s what I was spending in a typical month:
- $150+ on takeout “because I’m too tired to cook”
- $80+ on “just a few things” at Target
- $50+ on random Amazon dopamine hits
- $75 on impulse beauty/skincare
That’s over $350/month… almost $4,200 a year. 😬
What I Realized
I wasn’t treating myself—I was numbing myself.
Every time I felt bored, tired, anxious, or inadequate, I swiped. And I was training my brain to think spending = comfort.
💡 Wake-Up Moment: I looked at my credit card bill and realized I couldn’t remember half of what I’d bought. That’s when I knew I had to change.
What I Did Instead
- I paused impulsive spending for 30 days and used a spending tracker app (like Rocket Money) to see patterns.
- I created a “Joy Fund”—a $50/month allowance just for guilt-free treats.
- I replaced spending triggers with real self-care: journaling, walks, podcasts, and yes, naps.
Within two months, I paid off a lingering credit card balance, saved $300, and felt more in control than I had in years.
What I Learned
“Treating yourself” should add value to your life, not distract from it.
Now, when I splurge, it’s because I genuinely want to—not because I’m trying to escape something.
What’s your biggest “treat yourself” habit—and is it helping or hurting your goals? Let’s talk in the comments.
Let’s Talk 💬
We’d love to hear your thoughts. Have you tried this? Got tips of your own? Drop a comment below!