Look, I get it. Spending money can be hard. Sometimes, it makes us feel guilty, so we try to avoid doing it at all costs. But by avoiding spending money constantly, rather being the “stinge”, we deny ourselves of many things that would have made our life richer (yes, richness isn’t only about financial status). Here’s on why we shouldn’t be so hesitant to spend a little.

First and foremost, I am not here to convince you to squander away all your earnings and wealth. That is not the best idea, nor even a good idea. I am simply encouraging you, to not be as frugal. It is normal for us to worry about going broke. We don’t wish to be dependent on others, nor do we want to be living it rough. So we impose rules upon rules to control our financial behaviours and effectively build up an unhealthy relationship with the cash we have and the cash we spend. Either way, we remain afraid of spending and punish ourselves unnecessarily.



It is commonly accepted that health and youth go hand in hand. You are fitter, stronger, and more active as a youngster compared to old age. It doesn’t make sense to wait to spend your money on the more expensive experiences, like canyoning, solo travelling and similar, when you are old and frail and no longer able to do it. Do it now, and make ends meet later. Anyway, such experiences can teach you so much about yourself, why wait to learn?

I read in Robin Sharma’s Everyday Manifesto that once our bases are met (food, shelter, etc.), having extra money doesn’t add that much to the human experience, “life is short. So today’s the day to do big things”. This means that the dream of saving extra money with the intention of having a better life as a result is futile. What I am saying is that most of the time, we do not spend our money easily because we are looking too far ahead and worrying too much about the future. Instead, why not enjoy the present as it is and stop holding ourselves to such strict constraints?



That time you said no to joining your friends on a trip away, because you were concerned about money, was a mistake. There is so much more value in having healthy relationships and investing time in them, compared to an extra $600 in your bank account. Reassess your priorities in life and understand that life is more than just printed paper.

Also, being the “cheap-o” in a friendship circle shouldn’t be a goal. In Michael Norton’s podcast, he talks about how to spend money to buy happiness. A big pointer is to invest in other people. This means giving a little extra, to get something that is good quality for those who mean a lot to you.

Now, think about it when it comes to the food you eat. Why choose a mediocre dish compared to the one you really wanted just to save $5? Isn’t the experience of really enjoying your meals worth it? If you are constantly trying to cut costs, you also sacrifice the value in your activities, so be aware of such decisions.

Generally, it takes time and practice to understand when it is ok to spend money and when not. We must try to get out of our fixed mindset that spending money is satanical and stop being so stingy, me included. There is so much more to life when we allow ourselves to enjoy it. Being stingy doesn’t get us that far. So with much caution, I advise you to stop being afraid of spending more.