Spend to Grow: Why Investing in Yourself Beats Buying Things You Don’t Need

Let’s be real... we’ve all been there. You get the urge to buy something new. Maybe it’s a pair of sneakers, a kitchen appliance or the latest tech gadget. Feels good at first... until it ends up collecting dust, forgotten, unused, and taking up space in your home... and worse, space in your bank account.

 

When these purchases happen on credit cards, it leads to higher balances, lower credit scores, and unnecessary financial stress. This is the trap of “stuff culture.”

 

Remember That "Things" fade and "Growth" compounds.

 

 

The Mindset Shift That Changed My Life

When I was broke and buried in bad credit, I realized something painful but true... I was spending money trying to look successful instead of setting myself up for success.

 

The breakthrough happened when I flipped the script. Instead of spending on things, I started spending on me... 

 

Online courses helped me start side hustles... Certifications leveled up my job opportunities... Personal finance coaching (yes, even before I became a coach myself)... Audiobooks transformed my mindset and money habits... My home gym?!?! Yes, instead of spending money on a membership, I used the money instead to build my own home gym for less than a years membership and it provided me a place to workout in peace.

 

The ROI of Growth Spending

Every dollar spent on personal development started paying me back... sometimes 10x or more. I was able to:

• Pay off debt faster.
• Raise my credit score significantly.
• Kept more money to invest.
• Stress reduction.

 

 

How This Directly Impacts Your Credit

Here’s the connection no one talks about... When you improve yourself, your income potential rises. More income means paying down debt faster, keeping credit utilization low, and making on-time payments easier...That directly boosts your credit score. Finally...A better credit score lowers interest rates, increases borrowing power, and saves you thousands over your lifetime. That's the cause and effect.

 

 

3 Quick Questions Before You Buy Anything...

Will this make me smarter, healthier, or wealthier?
Will this still be benefiting me a year from now?
Is this an investment or an expense?
If it’s an investment in you, green light. If not, think twice.

 

 

Let's Wrap Up

Look, I’m not saying never buy anything fun again. But the smartest move I ever made was prioritizing spending on things that make me better... not just make me feel better for five minutes.

 

Things depreciate but you appreciate.