It may feel like something out of a dream: The big promotion you wanted landed in your lap, a milestone graduation arrived, or a lucrative job opportunity turned into an unbelievable offer. These are the moments that make all your hard work feel worth the grueling effort, knowing that larger paychecks are on the horizon.
But then something known as lifestyle inflation could come along to take all your progress away. This concerning financial effect can impact your wealth wellness, even when you anticipate improvement. But if you take certain mindful steps, you may be able to prevent it.
Commonly known as “lifestyle creep,” this term refers to an increase in spending after a person begins earning more money. Once someone attains extra funds for any reason, they may make subsequent changes to their financial habits either gradually (e.g., raising their grocery and discretionary spending budgets) or suddenly (such as splurging on a vehicle that exceeds their price range).
Concerningly, spending more when you earn more is a very natural inclination; it may even seem downright logical. “Internally, [you] are feeling a need to buy something at a higher price point than you would have in the past,” financial well-being expert Manisha Thakor told CNBC Select. Look to cultural cues, and you may very well associate career growth with a big-ticket celebration like a larger house, shiny new car, or international vacation.
The downsides are simple: Lifestyle inflation can deplete your heightened earnings so dramatically that, despite you bringing in more money, your wealth doesn’t actually grow. As such, you could interrupt your potential progress toward long-term goals like buying a house or retiring someday.
Likewise, lifestyle inflation could work against your efforts to build a healthy emergency fund for incidentals like hospital bills or auto repairs. You could end up taking on debt to pay for these unexpected expenses as a result.
And, when uncontrolled, lifestyle inflation may trap you in a perpetual cycle of living paycheck to paycheck. Surprisingly, high earners may find themselves in such a crisis due to spending habits such as regular fine dining or retail splurges.
Thankfully, you can take concerted steps to prevent lifestyle inflation. These are some of the top solutions you can adopt to balance your fiscal habits.
Commit to a budget: Perhaps the most useful salve against reckless spending is establishing limits. Considering your income growth, raise your spending cautiously across certain categories, such as groceries and travel.
Prioritize debts: If you have a high credit card balance or are paying off student loans, for example, direct your enhanced income toward reducing them. Doing so can help you save on interest, improve your credit score, and qualify for a major investment like a home loan.
Avoid comparison temptation: Don’t spend excessively to keep up with the Joneses. The image people project often doesn’t indicate their true financial health anyway, so prioritize the steps you can take to achieve your long-term fiscal goals rather than trying to emulate influencers or your friends.
Remember that when you achieve more wealth for any reason, you should still celebrate the fruits of your labor. After all, living with a scarcity mindset, in which you hoard rather than enjoy your earnings, is not necessarily the answer. Life is about savoring moments like family dinners and vacations with your partner, which require financial investments.
Alternatively, practice moderation and factor your long-term goals into a balanced wealth strategy, perhaps with the guidance of a financial professional. Be willing to spend sometimes, yet also cut back where necessary—even as you earn more—so you can soak up the perks of increased income while mitigating the downsides.
We’ve all heard about the importance of protein, a macronutrient that’s the building block of our skeleton and muscles. But that doesn’t necessarily mean we’re eating the right kinds. Here are some tips for directing your diet toward a more precise protein path.
This answer depends on factors like gender, age, and lifestyle, but, in general, it’s calculated by weight: simply multiply yours by .36 to get your recommended daily intake in grams. However, when you reach your forties, you may want to start increasing it to account for natural muscle loss.
Most people get adequate protein—and then some. According to The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025, for example, men between 19 and 59 consume too much protein, which can lead to problems such as weight gain and heart disease. So your choices matter. Opt for lean meats, fish, and fat-free dairy products to minimize fat and cholesterol.
However, the true secret to your success may lie in fruits, veggies, grains, and legumes, which can add a surprising amount of protein to your day. Some good sources include:
Practice intentional snacking as well. For instance, Greek yogurt usually contains more protein than its regular counterpart. Love chips or pretzels? Grab a handful of almonds instead. Or pair cottage cheese or peanut butter with your fruit for a power-packed combo.
In addition, you can incorporate this nutrient into dishes, such as by tossing chia seeds on salads and chickpeas or black beans into soup. Even sprinkling some grated Parmesan on your pasta can make a difference. These are just some of the many simple, delicious ways to integrate more quality protein into your diet for better health.
*Be sure to ask your doctor any questions about your protein intake.
When summer’s high sun and warm air return, fresh ingredients often do the heavy culinary lifting. This duo of recipes from The Martha’s Vineyard Cookbook celebrates the best of the season—juicy, sun-ripened produce and bright, coastal flavors that taste like vacation. Start light and refreshing with a chilled gazpacho, then take your taste buds seaside with a swordfish dish featuring a unique topping. Both offer simple yet stunning ways to let the season’s bounty steal the show.
Enjoy ripe fruits and aromatic veggies in a delicious soup concoction that’s perfect for summer.
Nothing says New England like this vibrant coastal entrée featuring fresh, buttery fish.
Recipes excerpted from The Martha’s Vineyard Cookbook by Julia Blanter. Rizzoli New York 2025. Photography by Jocelyn Filley.
The vibe at Alchemy is fancy without the fuss. There is real finesse with the menu and cocktails, and each floor offers a different experience: the jovial first-floor bar and bistro, an elegant dining room made for celebrations, and a cozy upstairs complete with fireplace. Maybe that’s why it’s been an Edgartown mainstay for over twenty years. Or it could be because of executive chef and owner Christoper Stam’s love of locally sourced ingredients. This is the no-cook soup of the summer, made with the season’s sweetest tomatoes and watermelon, cool and refreshing after a day on the beach. Ready in minutes, it’s also an ideal dinner party welcome course. Arrange the garnishes in individual bowls, so guests can help themselves.
Serves 6 to 8
There’s something about Spring Sheldon, who is a world traveler, bon vivant, and community builder. S&S Kitchenette is her castle. The enchanting café-meets-salon might host a dance party one night, aura readings another. And the food is always magical. This swordfish dish is simple yet special; the golden butter should be a go-to for any gardener with a glut of candy-like Sungold tomatoes. Once you have a batch in your fridge, you’ll find it also sings over grilled chicken or veggie kebabs. “So many people tell me, ‘I never liked swordfish until I tried yours!’” laughs Spring. “It’s a meaty fish, so just treat it like steak. High heat, sear on both sides, then remove from the heat and let it rest. It will continue to cook off the heat. Less is more—except with this butter, more is more!” The sweetness of Sungold tomatoes is perfect for this preparation, but other ripe cherry tomatoes will work, too.
Serves 4
If you’re ready to improve your health, the good news is that you don’t necessarily need to follow a rigorous workout routine to do so. One of the top things you can do for your body and mind is also one of the simplest: walking. Whether you’re running errands on foot or striving to achieve 10,000 steps a day, this pursuit is a powerful way to stay active, no matter your age or fitness level.
Walking may be low impact, but it delivers high-value results. In fact, a brisk thirty-minute session every day can help lower your blood pressure, improve your circulation, aid digestion, regulate blood sugar, and reduce your risk of serious health issues such as heart disease, arthritis, and even dementia. Experts recommend aiming for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week, and walking makes that goal feel manageable. When sustained over time, it can gradually strengthen your muscles, maintain your bone density, and keep your joints flexible, helping you feel your best.
Studies show that walking can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, elevate mood, and help increase creative thinking. And because this activity gives your brain a break from constant digital stimulation, it often promotes mental clarity and improved focus. As a bonus, by taking your walk outdoors, you also add an extra boost to an already beneficial activity. Exposure to fresh air and natural sunlight can lower your stress hormones and help regulate your circadian rhythm, helping you sleep better at night and feel more energized during the day.
One primary advantage of walking is that you can easily weave it into your routine since it doesn’t require a gym membership, commute, or fancy equipment. You just need a pair of comfortable, supportive sneakers and an open road or space, either around your neighborhood, through a local park, or on a nearby hiking trail. On rainy or hot days, consider an indoor option like a shopping mall, or invest in a walking pad or foldable treadmill so you can walk anytime. The key is to stay consistent and get your steps in whenever possible.
Begin with short walks, like a lap around the block in the morning or a ten-minute stroll after dinner. Once that feels comfortable, gradually increase your time and distance each week. You can also add structure by aiming for a specific number of minutes per week or setting a daily step goal—6,000 to 10,000 steps a day is ideal for maximizing the health benefits, but fewer steps can even make a big difference. As you increase your distance or time walking, keep things interesting by exploring different routes or parks.
If you’re after more of a challenge, try increasing the intensity by picking up your pace or walking on gentle inclines. You can also incorporate light ankle weights to engage your muscles more and boost your calorie burn. No matter what type of walking you do and how much, make sure to stretch your legs, hips, and back before and afterward to stay flexible and prevent soreness.
Finally, be patient with yourself and take your time building up your endurance. Walking is one of the most natural forms of exercise out there, and by committing to making it a part of your routine, it can become an enjoyable part of your daily life.
