At what point does self-care turn into splurge?
The importance of self-care in our lives is undisputed; however, to many, this has become an excuse for splurging. People end up spending hefty sums of money in the name of giving their bodies or appearance a much needed treat after a hard day’s or week’s work.
Experts say that self-care is ok in moderation but also caution that it can have a serious effect on our bank account. The amount of self-care suggested is based on an individual’s financial situation and how self-care will eventually affect it.
It should involve looking at the amount you take home every month, the figure that goes towards expenses and savings and then determining how much should go to self-care
Self-care, on the other hand, should not take more than five percent of your budget. The premise here is that self-care should not have a negative effect on your budget; otherwise it may lead to financial problems which may culminate in debt and stress.
If you find that self-care is forcing you to borrow or even exceeding the limits of your budget or credit cards, it’s obvious that you are spending more than necessary.
Self-care such as the hairdresser, nail salon or massages are meant to allow some relaxation, a moment to breathe, But if you are splurging on self-care to make yourself feel better, then it is counterproductive as you may put yourself into financial stress. Seek alternative means that do not cost money, such as exercise or meditation to achieve stress relief.
They say, all work with no play makes Jack a dull boy. The same would apply in finances, if we are getting them under control and we have managed to save and pay our debts, a little fun will spice it up. However, we should be cautious not to overdo it.
We should apply caution so that we don’t end up indulging more on self-care at the expense of other important costs. When self-care gets to a point where it’s taking in a significant proportion of our budget, or we are forced to borrow to cater for it, this is a sign that you are spending beyond your means. Adjustments should be made to cut back on these costs. If left unchecked, it may lead to more problems which we may try to solve through more self-care.
Disclaimer: The above information is general in nature and not intended to be financial advice. You should consider seeking professional advice before following any suggestions in this blog/website.