Income Tax Loans - How to tackle lifestyle inflation

Tired of playing “catch up” to your friends and family? Here are some tips on how you can increase your wealth, avoid common money pitfalls, and live a happier life

“Inflation” refers to when the price of goods and services rise over time. The word “inflation” can also refer to how we live. As we get older, build a family, and rise in our careers, we end up spending more. Many people who don’t learn to cope with lifestyle inflation can lead a life similar to a hamster on a spinning wheel—they’re moving but they aren’t going anywhere. Try to think back to how much you used to spend on a monthly basis when you were 18. You may be shocked on how little you used to get by on.

Many people rely on services like income tax loans, tax refund loans, and other types of tax assistance loans to help them “catch up” to their peers and family members. Many will use the money from their income tax loans to buy frivolous purchases that only contribute to lifestyle inflation. Instead of using your income tax loan cash for something you really don’t need, consider combating your debt, building a savings account, or increasing your wealth. Tax time only happens once a year. Think about what you want to spend your income tax loan cash on and why you want to spend it on that specific item or service. Here are some things to think about before you spend your income tax loan money:

1). Do you have a family?

Are you considering starting one? Having a baby (or two or three) is one of the most common and most expensive forms of lifestyle inflation. Things can get expensive fast—even before the baby makes his or her appearance. Suddenly a one bedroom apartment won’t work. For some people a two bedroom apartment won’t cut it either. Many people dive head first into a mortgage because they believe that’s what’s right for their family. Then there’s the additional cost of baby clothes, food, and childcare. Many moms choose to stay at home which also leads to a decrease in income. Many people start the rat race at this point without even realizing it. Instead of looking at what your friends have, look at what’s right for your family and you. Is your $1500 mortgage worth only having $400 a month of spending money? Does your child need brand new, name brand clothing? Can you cut your dining out expenses? Chances are you can easily prioritize what is best for your family. Decide what’s worth it and what’s not. An income tax loan can help you get the money you need to purchase a crib, diapers, and other baby paraphernalia. Use your income tax loan cash for something you really need.

2). Do you have an expensive hobby?

As you get older and have more disposable income, you could end up spending more on your hobbies than you would have thought you would. You don’t need to give up your hobby, but it is important to set a limit or a budget to what you spend. The term “hobby” covers a wide array of activities. Do you like to go to bars? Are you an avid golfer? Do you like to go the gym? Do you like to craft? Anything you spend money on that isn’t used for shelter, clothing, or food is considered a hobby. Many people use the cash from their income tax loans to fund their hobby. Instead of using your entire income tax loan for your hobby, why not set some of your income tax loan cash aside? Do you have a savings account you could add some cash to? Do you have debt you could pay off? You can probably think of a few things other than your hobby that you could contribute to.

3). Do you like to stay on top of latest trends?

Are you the first person in line to buy the latest gadget? Are you always flipping through magazines so you can plan your next big look/outfit? Do you like to shop online? If you do, you’re not alone! There’s a certain pride about being the first person to have the latest gadget or sport the newest look. Despite the feeling you may get from “being the first,” submitting to this desire isn’t always financially ideal. Many people use cash from their income tax loans to fund trendy purchases. Instead of heading to the mall with your income tax loan cash, think about what you’re about to purchase. Hold out a week or longer to make the purchase. Make a list of what you’d spend the money on if you didn’t buy the item in question. You may be surprised at how better off you’d be if you used your income tax loan cash for something else.

4). Do you like to have what your friends have?

There will always be someone you know that has more than you, spends more than you, travels more than you, and makes more money than you. The sooner you realize this, the better off you’ll be financially. Do you want a new car? New cars are a bad investment. They depreciate the second you drive it off the lot. Do you want a bigger home? Instead of scraping by each month to live in a big house you can barely afford, why not choose a smaller home that allows for more “wiggle room?” You can always aim for that big house or that nicer car, but sometimes it’s better to wait. That new car won’t seem so nice when you’re stressed month after month about the large payments you’re making on it. When you look back years from now on what you spent your money on, what will you think? Most people find that it just wasn’t worth the debt, the stress, or sometimes even the marital problems that resulted from it. Instead of using your income tax loan money to cover a down payment on something newer or better than something you already have, consider using that money to save up for that item in the future.

You don’t have to live paycheck-to-paycheck. You don’t need to increase the amount of money you spend. By taking a few steps back to look at where your money goes, you could dramatically decrease your lifestyle’s inflation. Choose to spend your money on the items the mean the most to you. Use your income tax loan cash wisely. Tax time only happens once a year. You can’t have everything you want, but you can have everything that you need.

Income Tax Loans - How to tackle Lifestyle Inflation, By Heather Wilson - Updated Today