Many charities advertise that donations are tax-deductible, but most people don’t deduct donations on their taxes. That’s because over 80% of taxpayers use the standard deduction, and they don’t get to deduct donations to charities when they don’t itemize. People donate because they support the cause, whether they get a tax deduction or not.
I’m in the 80%. I don’t track my donations because I know I won’t deduct them.
The new 2025 Trump tax law resurrected the 2021 version and raised the allowed amount from $300 to $1,000 ($2,000 for married filing jointly). It’ll be ongoing this time, starting in 2026 (not 2025), with no preset end date.
All the other terms from 2021 are carried over to this new iteration. This deduction is only for people who take the standard deduction. The donations must be in cash, not necessarily physical cash, but not in household items, cars, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, or crypto. Checks, card payments, and bank debits are all OK. The donations must be made directly to charities, not to a donor-advised fund.
There’s no income limit or phaseout. All other requirements about charity donations still apply, including getting a written acknowledgment with all the required elements.
Some places reported that this deduction is “above the line.” It’s not true. This new deduction doesn’t lower your AGI. It doesn’t make it easier for you to qualify for other tax breaks. It doesn’t affect state taxes.
Lower Deduction When You Itemize
If you itemize deductions, this new $1,000/$2,000 deduction isn’t available to you. You’ll continue to include your charity donations as itemized deductions on Schedule A. However, the new 2025 Trump tax law adds a floor for your charitable contributions deduction at 0.5% of your AGI, also starting in 2026 (not 2025), with no preset end date.
This floor is similar to how the medical expenses deduction has a floor at 7.5% of AGI. It reduces the amount you can deduct by 0.5% of your AGI. For example, suppose your AGI is $100,000. 0.5% of $100,000 is $500. After this change goes into effect in 2026, when your total donations to charities add up to $4,000, you can deduct only $3,500 as an itemized deduction.
Accelerating your planned donations in future years to 2025 will avoid having your deduction reduced by 0.5% of AGI each year.
If you’re over 70-1/2, QCDs out of a Traditional IRA continue to be the best way to donate to charities. QCDs count toward the RMD, but they don’t raise your AGI. You don’t have to itemize to make QCDs. Nor are you required to reduce the amount by 0.5% of AGI. The annual limit for QCDs is 100 times higher than this new $1,000/$2,000 deduction for people who don’t itemize. It’s too bad that only those 70-1/2 and older can do QCDs.
The only thing is that QCDs can’t go to a donor-advised fund. If you ask the IRA custodian to make payments to the charities, they’ll show a total as QCDs on the year-end 1099 form. Do them early in the year before you take any other distributions out of the Traditional IRA, including Roth conversions. Make sure the charities cash the checks before December 31.
You can also write checks from your IRA and send them to charities yourself, but your IRA custodian won’t know which checks you wrote are QCDs. They won’t be able to indicate them as such on the 1099 form. You’ll have to keep track of them yourself and report what amount from the total distributions on the 1099 form was QCD.
Naturally, because QCDs are excluded from your income to begin with, you can’t deduct QCDs again either toward this new $1,000/$2,000 deduction when you don’t itemize or as a part of the itemized deductions.
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Most people don’t lose money in the markets because of bad investments. They lose it because they couldn’t wait.
It starts innocently—a few months of average returns, a friend boasting about a better-performing fund, a headline predicting a crash. Suddenly, you’re switching SIPs, pausing investments, chasing trends. And just like that, your wealth-building journey takes a backseat.
But here’s the secret the market doesn’t shout about: stillness wins.
The investors who do the best aren’t the ones who move the fastest. They’re the ones who barely move at all. They pick good funds, set up their SIPs, and let time do what it does best—compound quietly. If you’ve ever wondered what separates consistent wealth creators from the rest, it often comes down to one thing: the discipline to stay invested for the long haul.
That’s the quiet strength of a long term SIP—and the edge most people overlook.
The Restless Investor: A Common Story
Let’s say you’re investing ₹10,000 every month into a diversified mutual fund through SIPs. You’ve been consistent for 18 months. But:
Your portfolio hasn’t delivered the returns you were hoping for.
You come across a blog about a tech fund that’s recently outperformed.
You feel like you’re missing out and decide to switch.
A few months later, another fund is in the spotlight—and you switch again.
At each step, you believe you’re making smart, informed decisions. But in truth, something else is happening.
You’re breaking the compounding cycle every time you switch.
This stop-start investing, driven by short-term returns and market noise, is quietly eroding the wealth you could have built. And it’s more common than you think.
Here’s what many investors get wrong:
They treat SIPs like quick fixes, not long-term strategies.
They judge performance over months instead of years.
They confuse activity with progress.
But the market doesn’t reward the most active investor—it rewards the most patient one.
Wealth isn’t built by chasing trends. It’s built by staying put.
Time and consistency do the heavy lifting. Every time you interrupt that process, you’re resetting your growth. That’s why a long term SIP strategy isn’t just good advice—it’s the only way real wealth gets built.
Why the Market Rewards Patience
Markets go through cycles—ups and downs, booms and crashes. In the short term, returns can be erratic. But zoom out, and the story changes. Over a 10–15-year horizon, equity SIPs have consistently delivered strong returns, often beating most traditional investment instruments. This is the essence of the long term SIP advantage.
Let’s understand why this works:
Rupee Cost Averaging: When markets dip, you buy more units for the same investment amount. When they rise, your earlier investments grow. This averaging effect compounds over time, smoothing out volatility.
Compounding: The real engine of wealth creation. A small, consistent investment today grows exponentially when allowed to compound uninterrupted.
Behavioural Benefit: SIPs automate discipline. When emotion is removed from the process, decisions are no longer swayed by headlines or fear.
But for this to work, you need one thing above all: the ability to stay still when your instinct tells you to act.
Impatience: The Silent Portfolio Killer
Let’s call out the real threat to your investment journey. It’s not market crashes. It’s not even choosing the wrong fund.
It’s impatience.
Impatience shows up quietly but costs you more than you realize. It creeps in when results feel slow, when markets fall, or when someone else seems to be earning more.
Here’s how it typically plays out:
Switching funds too often – chasing last year’s winners instead of staying invested in quality funds.
Pausing SIPs during market dips – reacting to short-term fear, which locks in temporary losses and disrupts compounding.
Booking profits too early – walking away just when your investments are about to enter the real wealth-building phase.
These may seem like harmless moves—maybe even smart ones at the moment. But done repeatedly, they chip away at your returns.
What could have been a ₹1 crore corpus over 20 years? Gets cut to ₹50–60 lakhs because of these small, frequent detours.
The Case for Long Term SIP: Real Numbers, Real Rewards
Let’s break it down with a simple example.
Suppose you invest ₹10,000 every month into a good-quality mutual fund through SIPs. The fund gives you an average return of 12% annually—which is quite reasonable for a long-term equity fund in India.
Now, here’s what happens over time:
Investment Duration
Total Invested
Approx. Corpus at 12% Return
5 years
₹6 lakhs
₹8.1 lakhs
10 years
₹12 lakhs
₹23.2 lakhs
15 years
₹18 lakhs
₹50.5 lakhs
20 years
₹24 lakhs
₹98.4 lakhs
Let’s break that down further:
In 5 years, your ₹6 lakh investment grows to around ₹8.1 lakhs. That’s a decent start, but it’s just the beginning.
By 10 years, your investment almost doubles to over ₹23 lakhs. You’ve now invested ₹12 lakhs and earned more than ₹11 lakhs in returns.
At 15 years, the growth starts to feel real—₹50+ lakhs from a total investment of ₹18 lakhs.
And in 20 years, ₹24 lakhs invested becomes close to ₹1 crore. That’s more than four times what you put in.
That’s not luck. That’s compounding—and time—at work.
Why does this happen?
Because in SIPs, the money you earn also starts earning. And when you stay invested for the long term, the effect multiplies. The last 5 years of a 20-year SIP usually create more wealth than the first 10 years combined.
This is why we always say:
The secret to growing wealth isn’t timing the market—it’s giving your investments time in the market.
But here’s the catch: this only works if you stay invested. If you stop your SIPs midway or keep switching funds every few months, you reset the clock—and break the compounding chain.
So if you’re wondering how people build wealth from ordinary incomes, this is how. They commit to a simple plan. They stay consistent. And they let long term SIP investing do its quiet, powerful work in the background.
Stillness Doesn’t Mean Inactivity
Being patient with your investments doesn’t mean ignoring them. It simply means resisting the urge to act for the sake of acting. There’s a big difference between thoughtful discipline and emotional inactivity.
Smart investors build a system that works in the background—quietly but effectively. They don’t chase the market every day, but they don’t go on autopilot either. Here’s what that looks like:
Link Your SIPs to Specific Goals Whether it’s your child’s higher education, your retirement, or buying a home, tying investments to clear goals brings focus. When you know what you’re investing for, it becomes easier to stay calm during short-term market dips.
Monitor, But Don’t Constantly Interfere Keep an eye on how your funds are performing, but avoid tweaking them every time the market moves. Changes should be driven by meaningful reasons—like a long-term underperformance, a fund manager change, or a shift in your risk profile—not by daily headlines.
Stay Clear, Stay Confident The more you understand your portfolio—what you’re invested in, why you chose it, and how it’s aligned with your needs—the less likely you are to panic. Confusion invites fear; clarity builds patience.
Think Beyond Just One Timeline If you’re investing for multiple life goals—your retirement, a child’s wedding, a parent’s healthcare—you naturally develop a broader perspective. Thinking across 5, 10, and 20-year horizons helps you move from reactive to strategic behaviour.
In short, stillness doesn’t mean doing nothing. It means doing the right things—and giving them time to work.
Stories from the Quiet Compounding Champions
Not all successful investors started with large sums of money. In fact, many of the most consistent wealth builders began modestly—with monthly SIPs of ₹5,000 or ₹7,500. What set them apart wasn’t how much they invested—it was how long they stayed invested.
They followed one simple rule: Keep going. No matter what.
Through all kinds of market events, they stayed the course:
Bull runs that tempted them to cash out early
Market crashes that tested their patience
Pandemics and global events that shook investor confidence
Political and economic uncertainty that caused temporary volatility
While others paused SIPs, switched funds, or exited out of fear or excitement—these investors did something rare: they did nothing. They let time and compounding do the heavy lifting.
And what did they gain?
Strong, steadily growing portfolios
Clarity and confidence in their financial journey
Most importantly, peace of mind
They weren’t chasing the next best thing. They were building something bigger—financial freedom. Their story is a reminder that you don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be consistent.
Why Staying Invested Feels Hard (But Isn’t)
We look for instant results — one-click checkouts, 10-minute deliveries, and next-day success stories. Naturally, our minds get wired to expect speed.
Investing doesn’t work like that. It’s slow. It’s quiet. It’s often boring. And that’s exactly why it works.
So how do you stay patient in a system that rewards those who wait? Here are three habits that help build your ‘patience muscle’:
Turn off the noise: Resist the urge to check your portfolio every day. Markets rise and fall — let them. Daily movement doesn’t define long-term value.
Trust your plan: If your financial plan was thoughtfully made, it doesn’t need constant fixing. Stick with it unless your goals or income change significantly.
Celebrate milestones, not market moves: Your SIP turning 3 years old is a real achievement. Focus on progress, not headlines. That’s where wealth quietly grows.
During Market Crashes, Patience Pays the Most
It might sound counterintuitive, but some of the best mutual fund returns are born during market crashes — or just after. The key? You need to stay invested to benefit from the bounce-back.
When volatility strikes, investor behaviour typically falls into three categories:
Most panic and exit. Fear overrides strategy, and people pull out money at a loss.
Some stay put. They ride out the storm, trusting the long-term fundamentals.
A rare few increase their SIPs. They see falling prices as a buying opportunity — not a threat.
Guess who ends up building the most wealth? Not the smartest or the luckiest, but the most patient.
Volatility isn’t a flaw in the system — it’s built into the journey. The rewards aren’t just for those who endure it… but for those who understand it.
Final Thoughts: Let Time Do the Heavy Lifting
The most underrated financial skill isn’t stock picking. It’s not timing the market either. It’s patience.
The quiet discipline to automate your SIP, define your goals, and then step back — letting months turn into years, and years into wealth.
You don’t need to outguess the market every quarter. You need to be consistent.
Stick to your plan.
Ignore the noise.
Let time and compounding do what they do best.
There’s quiet power in staying still.
Because real wealth isn’t built overnight — it’s built over time, through consistency, conviction, and the courage to wait when others rush.
Confused about Groww Demat Mutual Funds? Know if you should switch or stay with SoA, understand costs, pros, cons, and safe alternatives in simple language.
One of India’s popular investment apps, Groww, recently announced that from June 2025 onwards, all new mutual fund investments through their platform will be held in demat form by default. Existing SIPs will continue in the traditional format, but you can choose to convert them too.
This sudden change has confused many investors — should you really move your mutual fund holdings to demat? Or stick with the simple Statement of Account (SoA) format? Let’s break this down in plain language.
Groww Demat Mutual Funds: Should You Switch or Stay?
First, what does this shift mean?
New investments on Groww are by default in demat form.
Existing SIPs will remain in SoA but can be moved to demat with your consent.
You can opt out of the demat format using an OTP process.
If you wish to revert your demat units to SoA, it’s possible but involves paperwork and time.
What you must watch out for
Limited Access: Units held in demat form cannot be accessed through MF Utility (MFU) or MF Central, which are free and robust platforms to manage multiple AMC folios at one place. SoA units are easily trackable and manageable using RTA websites like CAMS and KFintech, or the MFU portal.
Gifting & Transfer: Earlier, gifting or transferring mutual fund units in SoA form wasn’t easy. But now, with MF Central, this has become simple. So, this benefit exists even in SoA.
Speculative Use: When you hold mutual funds in demat, you can pledge them for margin and trade in the stock market. While this may look attractive, it encourages risky behaviour that mutual fund investing ideally avoids.
Having advised thousands of investors, I believe simplicity and flexibility matter most. SoA gives you that. You can directly transact through the AMC’s own website, CAMS, KFintech or MF Utility — all without any extra DP or brokerage charges. If your broker’s demat platform goes down or if you lose access, you’re not stuck because your units are directly with the AMC.
In demat form, if your broker or DP has issues, you may find it harder to transact. Also, not all brokers fully support features like SWP (Systematic Withdrawal Plan) in demat yet. For retirees, this is a major drawback.
What should you do now?
Before switching blindly, think about why you invest in mutual funds. For most, the goal is long-term wealth creation, not frequent trading. SoA keeps it simple, cost-effective and transparent. Demat makes sense if you’re already using it for shares and ETFs and want to consolidate everything in one place — but for purely mutual funds, SoA is still the cleanest choice.
Personally, I never trust these brokers or third-party websites. Because we don’t know when they change their colour 🙂
Choose wisely and invest smartly!
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If you’re over 60, chances are you’ve become a target for fraudsters looking to exploit your hard-earned savings. As retirees settle into what should be their golden years, retirement scams are becoming increasingly aggressive and sophisticated. These schemes aren’t just annoying—they can be financially devastating and emotionally scarring. The scammers know retirees are more likely to have a nest egg, rely on fixed income, and be unfamiliar with evolving digital threats. Here are 10 of the most common scams targeting older Americans right now and how you can protect yourself or your loved ones.
1. Social Security Impersonation Calls
One of the most persistent retirement scams involves fake calls from someone claiming to be with the Social Security Administration. They may say your number has been “suspended” due to fraud or illegal activity. The caller might demand immediate payment or ask you to verify your Social Security number. This is always a scam—Social Security will never call and ask for payment or personal info over the phone. If you get one of these calls, hang up and report it.
2. Fake IRS Debt Collectors
Scammers pretending to be IRS agents are still going strong, even though the real IRS mails official notices before any action is taken. These fraudsters claim you owe back taxes and will be arrested or have your Social Security cut off if you don’t pay immediately. They often demand payment through gift cards or wire transfers. The IRS will never threaten or demand payment over the phone. Knowing this is key to avoiding this classic retirement scam.
3. Medicare Card Renewal Scams
Each year, thousands of seniors fall for phone calls offering to “renew” or “update” their Medicare cards. These scammers use fear and urgency to extract personal details like Medicare ID numbers, birthdates, and banking info. In reality, Medicare will never call you unsolicited for this information. Once they have your data, scammers can bill Medicare fraudulently or access your bank account. Be wary of anyone offering to “fix” your Medicare benefits over the phone.
4. Investment Fraud and Ponzi Schemes
Scammers love to lure retirees with promises of high returns and “guaranteed” low-risk investments. These offers might come through mailers, phone calls, or even in-person seminars. They often sound legitimate, but many are fronts for Ponzi schemes or unregulated investments. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Always research thoroughly and check with the SEC or FINRA before investing your retirement funds.
5. Romance Scams
Online romance scams have skyrocketed, especially among widowed or divorced retirees looking for companionship. Scammers create fake profiles on dating sites or social media and build emotional connections over time. Eventually, they ask for money—often claiming emergencies, travel expenses, or medical bills. These scams can drain both finances and trust. Be cautious when new online connections ask for money, especially if you haven’t met in person.
6. Grandparent Emergency Scams
This emotional scam involves a phone call where the fraudster pretends to be your grandchild in distress. They’ll say they’ve been arrested, had a car accident, or need money urgently. The caller often begs you not to tell their parents. With just a few details found online or through hacked accounts, scammers make their stories believable. Always verify through another family member before sending any money.
7. Fake Tech Support Pop-Ups
A sudden pop-up on your computer warning of a virus and urging you to call a toll-free number is almost certainly a scam. These fake tech support schemes target retirees who may not be tech-savvy. Once you call, they’ll ask for remote access to your computer and may steal personal information or install malware. Some even demand payment to “fix” nonexistent problems. Never trust unsolicited pop-ups or cold tech support calls.
8. Charity Donation Scams
After natural disasters or around the holidays, fake charities ramp up their efforts to steal donations. These scammers often call or email pretending to represent well-known organizations. They may pressure you to donate immediately via gift cards or wire transfer. Always research the charity through trusted databases like Charity Navigator or the Better Business Bureau. A little homework goes a long way in avoiding this type of retirement scam.
9. Reverse Mortgage Cons
While reverse mortgages are legal and sometimes helpful, scammers often pose as lenders to steal equity or trick seniors into signing over ownership. They target older homeowners by offering “help” with bills or home improvements. Then, hidden clauses in contracts can lead to foreclosure or loss of property. Before considering a reverse mortgage, consult a certified housing counselor or trusted financial advisor.
10. Sweepstakes and Lottery Scams
This common scam involves a phone call or letter telling you you’ve won a prize—but you must pay fees or taxes to claim it. Retirees are frequently targeted with fake sweepstakes from organizations that sound real. These scams thrive on excitement and urgency. Legitimate lotteries never require upfront payments to claim winnings. If you didn’t enter a contest, you didn’t win.
Stay Sharp, Stay Safe
As technology advances, so do the tactics used in retirement scams—but being aware is your best defense. Scammers often prey on fear, urgency, and loneliness to manipulate retirees into giving up their money or personal details. Learning the red flags and talking openly with loved ones about potential threats can stop fraud in its tracks. Protect your finances the same way you protected your family: with vigilance, skepticism, and a strong network.
Have you or someone you know been targeted by one of these scams? Share your story in the comments to help others stay protected!
Credit card piggybacking is when you add someone else as an authorized user to help them improve their credit history and thus their credit score.
Adding someone as an authorized user is free and they will see that credit line appear on their report, which can help improve it.
Remember that the FICO credit score is made up for five factors:
If you add in a new credit line with a long history of on-time payments, you help improve Length of Credit History as well as Payment History, which make up 50% of the score.
The person you add doesn’t need to get the card itself. Just adding them will confer the benefits.
Minimum ages for authorized users
Some issuers have a minimum age for authorized users:
American Express – 13
Barclays – 13
Discover – 15
U.S. Bank – 13
The following banks do not list an age – Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi, Wells Fargo, and USAA.
If you want to help someone, find your oldest credit card and find out if there is an age requirement.
Some banks will not report the credit card for authorized users unless they are a certain age. American Express explains in their FAQ on Additional Card Members (emphasis mine):
Q. How does the Additional Card Member establish credit?
A. Credit information will be provided to the credit bureau for the Additional Card Member when they are 18 or older. The Additional Card Member builds only positive credit history based on the credit behavior of the Basic Card Member. If the Basic Card Member becomes delinquent at any point, we will discontinue reporting on the Additional Card Member’s Card in order to retain positive history on the Additional Card Member.
Are there downsides to credit piggybacking?
If you do not give the authorized user their card, there is zero downside.
If you do, the risk is that you are responsible for their spending. They may have been added as an authorized user but it is still your credit card – you are responsible for the debt and not the person that you added. If they don’t have the card, or the number of the card, there is no risk.
Do not pay for credit piggybacking
There are some credit repair companies who will claim that this strategy is fool-proof and in a sense they are correct, there’s no risk to doing this and it’s likely to help.
It’s a part of your score but if your history is long and generally bad, adding an additional credit line is unlikely to improve your score significantly. The average credit line factor is an average, so adding one card when you have 5 bad ones is not going to have a big impact.
Adding an authorized user
Adding an authorized user is really easy – just log into the issuer’s website and it’s usually somewhere under Accounts or Account services. Here it is in Chase:
You will need a limited set of personal information to add an authorized user. For Chase, you don’t even need their Social Security Number but they will still report it to the bureaus.
[Updated on July 20, 2025 to include tax calculation with the $6,000 senior deduction from the 2025 Trump tax law.]
Social Security benefits are 100% tax-free when your total income is low. As your total income goes up, you’ll pay federal income tax on a portion of the benefits while the rest of your Social Security income remains tax-free. This taxable portion goes up as your total income rises, but it will never exceed 85%. Even if your annual total income is $1 million, at least 15% of your Social Security benefits will stay tax-free.
The new 2025 Trump tax law created a $6,000 senior deduction, but it didn’t change anything in how Social Security is taxed. See Social Security Is Still Taxed Under the New 2025 Trump Tax Law. This calculator has been updated to include the new $6,000 senior deduction.
Taxation of Social Security Benefits
The IRS has a somewhat complex formula to determine how much of your Social Security is taxable and how much of it is tax-free. The formula first calculates a combined income that consists of half of your benefit plus your other income, such as withdrawals from your retirement accounts, interest, dividends, and capital gains. It also adds any tax-exempt interest from muni bonds.
This income is then reduced by above-the-line deductions such as deductible contributions to Traditional IRAs, SEP-IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, HSAs, deductible self-employment tax, and self-employment health insurance. Finally, this provisional income goes through some thresholds based on your tax filing status (Married Filing Jointly or Single/Head of Household). All of these steps are in Worksheet 1 in IRS Publication 915.
Calculator
You can go through the 19 steps in the worksheet to calculate the amount of Social Security benefits that will be taxable, but the worksheet isn’t the easiest to use. I made an online calculator that helps you calculate it much more quickly. It only needs three numbers plus your age and tax filing status. You’ll have your answer with the click of a button.
The calculator works for all types of Social Security benefits. It doesn’t matter whether you’re receiving Social Security retirement benefits, disability benefits, spousal benefits, or survivor benefits as a widow or widower. It doesn’t matter whether you’re receiving your full Social Security benefits, or you’re getting reduced benefits because you claimed early, or you’re getting the maximum benefit because you waited until age 70.
The calculator works for both a single person and a married couple filing a joint return. If you’re married and both of you are receiving Social Security, include both your benefit and your spouse’s benefit, and both your income and your spouse’s income.
If you’re on Medicare, the Social Security Administration automatically deducts the Medicare premium from your Social Security benefits. You need to use the “gross” Social Security benefits before deducting the Medicare premium, and it should be an annual number, not monthly. You can find this number on your Social Security benefit statement or your Form SSA-1099.
It only applies to federal taxes though. State taxes don’t necessarily follow the same rules as the federal government. Different states have different rules on taxing Social Security benefits. Some states don’t tax Social Security benefits.
The calculated tax amount assumes that all your other income besides Social Security is fully taxable, and you take only the standard deduction and the senior deduction when eligible. It doesn’t consider lower tax rates on qualified dividends and long-term capital gains, or tax-exempt muni bond interest. Your tax may be lower if you have those, or if you donate to charities or have large itemized deductions.
If you don’t quite trust my calculator, you can double-check against the official calculator from the IRS. The IRS calculator isn’t as easy to use. It gives the same result for the taxable amount at the end, but it doesn’t include the tax estimate.
Taxable Does Not Necessarily Mean Paying Taxes
The calculator shows the taxable portion of your Social Security benefits. Having a taxable amount only means it will be included as part of your gross income on your tax return. It does not necessarily mean you’ll pay taxes.
Your gross income is still subject to your normal standard or itemized deductions to arrive at your taxable income. You still pay in your normal tax brackets of 10%, 12%, 22%, etc., on the taxable income. 50% or 85% of your benefits being taxable doesn’t mean you’ll lose 50% or 85% of your Social Security to taxes. The actual tax on your benefits is much less. The tax may be zero after applying deductions.
When more than 15% of your Social Security is tax-free, additional income outside Social Security will make more of your Social Security benefits taxable, lowering that number toward 15%. Some people call this a tax torpedo, but it’s a misleading term. It gives you the impression that Social Security is taxed more heavily than other income, which is not true. You still pay lower taxes than other people with the same income. See why that’s the case in An Unusually High Marginal Tax Rate Means Paying Lower Taxes.
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If you are paying an advisor a percentage of your assets, you are paying 5-10x too much. Learn how to find an independent advisor, pay for advice, and only the advice.
“If your salary grows every year, why shouldn’t your investments?” That’s the logic behind a Step Up SIP—a smarter, more dynamic version of the traditional Systematic Investment Plan. In today’s ever-evolving financial world, staying stagnant with your investments could mean falling short of your goals.
A step up SIP helps bridge that gap by letting you increase your SIP amount at regular intervals, keeping pace with your income growth. Whether you’re planning for your dream home, your child’s education, or early retirement, this flexible strategy can fast-track your wealth creation journey.
In this blog, we’ll explore everything you need to know about step up SIPs—how they work, why they matter, and how tools like the best SIP planner and a systematic investment planner can help you invest smarter, not just harder.
What Is Step Up SIP?
A Step Up SIP, also known as a Top-Up SIP, is a variation of the regular SIP where you increase your SIP amount at fixed intervals—usually annually. Instead of investing a fixed amount every month throughout the investment tenure, a step up SIP lets you gradually increase the contribution in line with your income growth.
For instance, if you start a SIP with ₹5,000 per month and opt for a 10% step up every year, your monthly SIP will increase to ₹5,500 in the second year, ₹6,050 in the third, and so on.
Why Choose Step Up SIP Over Regular SIP?
Most salaried individuals or business professionals see their income increase over time. A regular SIP fails to leverage this rising income potential. By stepping up your investment amount, you can significantly increase your wealth without impacting your lifestyle.
Let’s say you stick to a flat ₹5,000 SIP for 15 years at an average return of 12% annually. You’ll accumulate about ₹25 lakh. But with a 10% step up each year, the corpus grows to approximately ₹40 lakh. That’s the power of compounding paired with step-up contributions.
How Does Step Up SIP Work?
A Step Up SIP (Systematic Investment Plan) is a smart way to ensure your investments grow along with your income. It allows you to increase your SIP amount periodically, helping you accumulate more wealth over time—without any major lifestyle changes. Here’s how it works:
Start with a Base SIP Amount Begin by selecting a fixed amount you’re comfortable investing every month—say ₹5,000. This becomes your base SIP amount.
Set the Step Up Frequency Decide how often you want to increase this investment. Most investors choose an annual frequency, but some prefer half-yearly depending on salary hikes or financial goals.
Choose the Step Up Amount or Percentage You can opt for:
A fixed increase every year (e.g., ₹500 annually), or
A percentage-based increase (e.g., 10% every year on the existing SIP amount).
This flexibility makes the Step Up SIP ideal for long-term planning.
Automated Adjustments Once you’ve set your Step Up SIP instructions with your fund house or distributor, the increase takes place automatically on the selected date. There’s no need for manual updates every year—just set it and let it grow!
Track with a SIP Planner To understand how much wealth your Step Up SIP can help you build, use a SIP planner. Fincart’s best SIP planner tool allows you to simulate different scenarios—compare a regular SIP vs a Step Up SIP—and plan your investments more strategically for long-term goals like buying a house, planning for children’s education, or retirement.
Benefits of Step Up SIP
1. Aligns Investments with Income Growth
Most people see annual increments in their salaries or business earnings. This type of SIP ensures that your investments grow proportionally without feeling the pinch.
2. Boosts Long-Term Wealth Creation
With every increase in SIP, the compounding effect magnifies. Even small annual hikes in SIP contributions can lead to a significantly larger corpus over time.
3. Disciplined Investing
Just like regular SIPs, step up SIPs inculcate investment discipline. But they go a step further by keeping your financial commitments progressive.
4. Goal-Oriented Planning
Whether it’s your child’s education, retirement, or a dream home, a step up SIP is ideal for goal-based financial planning with evolving contributions.
5. No Need for Manual Changes
Once set, the system takes care of the step-ups. It’s a hands-off approach that still responds to your growing income.
Who Should Opt for Step Up SIP?
A Step Up SIP is not just a smart investment tool—it’s a strategy built for those who expect growth, both in life and income. It works best for people who are ready to align their investments with their evolving financial journey.
You should definitely consider a Step Up SIP if you’re:
A young professional expecting steady salary increments in the coming years and want your investments to keep pace with your earnings.
A business owner or freelancer whose income is expected to grow over time, making it easier to gradually increase your investment without feeling the pinch.
An investor starting small but aiming for big financial goals—this allows you to begin at a comfortable level and scale up as your confidence and income grow.
Planning for long-term goals like retirement, your child’s higher education, or buying a house—goals that need disciplined and increasing contributions over time.
In short, if you believe in growing your wealth steadily and sustainably, a Step Up SIP gives you the flexibility and structure to do just that—without overburdening your present.
Example: Step Up SIP Calculation
Let’s illustrate with a practical example.
Initial SIP: ₹10,000/month
Step Up: 10% annually
Investment Duration: 15 years
Expected Annual Return: 12%
Without Step Up SIP: Final Corpus ≈ ₹50 lakh
With 10% Step Up SIP: Final Corpus ≈ ₹82 lakh
This simple tweak in investment strategy leads to an additional ₹32 lakh in wealth without starting with a higher amount!
Step Up SIP vs Regular SIP: Quick Comparison
Feature
Regular SIP
Step Up SIP
Investment Amount
Fixed
Increases periodically
Ideal For
Conservative investors
Growth-oriented investors
Wealth Accumulation
Moderate
Higher over the long term
Flexibility
Low
High
Goal Alignment
Partial
Better aligned with goals
How to Start a Step Up SIP?
Getting started with a Step Up SIP is simple and strategic. Here’s how you can begin:
1. Choose the Right Mutual Fund Scheme Start by identifying a mutual fund that aligns with your risk appetite and long-term financial goals. Whether it’s an equity fund for aggressive growth or a hybrid fund for balanced returns, the right choice sets the foundation.
2. Use a Systematic Investment Planner Platforms like Fincart make the process easier by offering guided investment planning. Their tools help you compare mutual fund schemes, assess your profile, and set up a Step Up SIP without any hassle.
3. Decide How You Want to Step Up You can customize your SIP increase based on your preferences:
Fixed Increment: Step up your SIP by a fixed amount—say ₹1,000 every year.
Percentage-Based Increment: Alternatively, you can opt for an annual increase by a specific percentage—like 10%—which aligns well with salary hikes or business growth.
4. Monitor & Adjust as Needed As your income and goals evolve, so should your investments. Fincart’s dashboard allows you to track performance and adjust your SIP strategy accordingly—ensuring your plan stays relevant and effective.
Starting a Step Up SIP isn’t just about investing—it’s about growing with purpose.
How Fincart Helps You Get the Best Out of Step Up SIPs
At Fincart, we understand that every investor has unique goals, income levels, and risk appetite. Our expert advisors and smart digital tools work together to:
Customize your step up SIP strategy
Recommend the best SIP planner tools for your goals
Optimize asset allocation using our systematic investment planner
Provide regular insights to fine-tune your investments over time
With our guidance, you’re not just investing—you’re investing wisely.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Step Up SIPs
Even though step up SIPs are straightforward, here are a few things to watch out for:
1. Overestimating Future Income
Don’t commit to increases you can’t sustain. Be realistic about your expected salary hikes or business growth.
2. Ignoring Fund Performance
Step up SIPs still depend on the quality of the mutual fund you choose. Monitor fund performance periodically and make changes when necessary.
3. Delaying Investment
Waiting for a “better time” often results in missed opportunities. Start now, even if it’s small—step up SIPs are designed to grow with you.
Final Thoughts
A Step Up SIP is more than just an investment tool—it’s a strategic, scalable approach to wealth creation. In a world where your expenses and income rise every year, your investments should too. Whether you’re starting small or looking to boost your financial discipline, this progressive investment model ensures you build a corpus that truly reflects your financial aspirations.
With expert guidance from Fincart’s wealth advisors, you can craft a smart, future-ready investment strategy using step up SIPs—customized to your lifestyle, goals, and income growth.
With SEBI-registered bond platforms & RBI Retail Direct, many wonder: Debt Mutual Funds vs Direct Bonds? Learn which is better, risks, costs & taxation.
Debt Mutual Funds vs Direct Bonds: Which is Better for You?
In the last few years, investing in bonds has become much easier for common investors. Many SEBI-registered online bond platforms now highlight “high yield” bonds at your fingertips. Because of this, many people wonder — why invest in debt mutual funds when you can buy bonds directly and lock in higher returns?
But hold on — what looks simple can have hidden traps. Direct bonds carry their own risks, hidden costs, and tax surprises. On the other hand, debt mutual funds bring diversification, tax deferral, and professional management. So, which one suits you better? Let’s break it down in simple terms.
Debt Mutual Funds: Safer, Simpler, Diversified
When you invest in a debt mutual fund, your money is pooled with thousands of other investors. The fund manager uses that pool to buy different bonds — government securities, corporate bonds, treasury bills — depending on the fund’s objective.
This brings diversification. If one company defaults or delays payment, the fund absorbs the hit because there are dozens of other bonds in the portfolio. You don’t lose your entire capital. This is the biggest plus of debt mutual funds.
Another advantage is professional management. You don’t need to track which bond matures, which company’s credit rating goes up or down, or how interest rates change. The fund manager handles all this while you relax.
Whenever the fund receives interest (coupon) from these bonds, it is reinvested automatically. Because of this, you don’t pay tax every year on the coupon — taxation comes into the picture only when you withdraw or redeem your units. The capital gains are taxed as per your income slab, with no indexation now, but the deferment helps your money compound better. This simple structure means less tax hassle and often higher post-tax returns compared to direct bonds for many people.
Direct Bonds: Fixed Returns, But With Hidden Effort
When you buy a direct bond, you’re lending money directly to a company or government. In return, you get regular interest payments (called coupon) and your principal back at maturity. The biggest attraction is the fixed coupon rate — often higher than bank FDs.
However, there’s no free lunch. A bond paying 8%–9% usually comes with higher risk. If the company’s business suffers, it may default or delay payments. You carry the full credit risk.
Plus, if you want to diversify, you must buy multiple bonds from different issuers and sectors. That means more paperwork, tracking coupon payments, maturity dates, credit ratings, and figuring out where to reinvest when one bond matures. Many retail investors underestimate this effort.
Now, let’s assume you hold a AAA-rated corporate bond or a gilt (government bond). Does that mean it’s risk-free? Not really. In corporate bonds, the current credit rating can change anytime. If the company faces trouble, the rating may get downgraded, which reduces the market value of your bond.
In the case of government bonds or any long-term bonds, if you plan to sell before maturity, you face interest rate risk. If interest rates rise, the market price of your bond drops. Also, India’s secondary bond market is not very liquid — finding a buyer instantly can be difficult, so you may have to sell at a loss.
How Do SEBI-Registered Online Bond Platforms Earn Money?
Online bond platforms like GoldenPi, BondsIndia, or Wint Wealth make direct bond investing look smooth and easy. They provide access, listings, and easy buying with a few clicks. But how do they earn?
Most platforms make money in three main ways:
Spread or Commission: They may buy bonds in bulk at a lower price and sell them to you at a slightly higher price. This difference — called the spread — is their profit. So, if a bond’s real yield is 9%, your actual yield might be 8.8% or lower.
Transaction Fees: Some platforms charge you a flat convenience fee per transaction. Others offer premium services — like portfolio tracking, reminders, or exclusive bond recommendations — for additional charges.
Listing Fees from Issuers: Companies that want to sell bonds may pay the platform to list or promote their bonds. So, the “Top Picks” or “Recommended” bonds you see may not always be the best for your risk profile — they might just be paying more to be featured.
Many investors ignore these small hidden costs, but they eat into your final yield. Always check the platform’s fee structure before investing.
Also remember: these platforms are marketplaces, not your advisors. Their main job is to sell bonds — it’s your responsibility to check whether the bond suits your risk capacity.
Don’t Ignore Taxation
A common trap in direct bond investing is ignoring taxation. Bond coupons (interest payments) are fully taxable as “Income from Other Sources” at your slab rate. So, if you’re in the 30% tax bracket and your bond pays 9%, your post-tax return is effectively around 6.3%.
Debt mutual funds work differently. They don’t pay you annual interest. Instead, the interest income is reinvested, increasing the fund’s NAV. You pay tax only when you redeem, and the gains are taxed as capital gains at your slab rate (with no indexation now). Even though the rate is the same, this tax deferral can boost your post-tax returns, especially for long-term investors.
Default Risk & Credit Downgrade Risk
Direct bonds come with credit risk. If the company fails or goes bankrupt, you might lose your entire money. Even if it doesn’t default but its credit rating is downgraded, the market value of your bond drops.
If you need to sell before maturity due to an emergency, you might have to sell at a discount. Many investors ignore this and chase the high coupon rate without checking the issuer’s business health.
Debt mutual funds spread this risk by holding dozens or even hundreds of bonds. If one goes bad, the impact on your portfolio is softened.
Understanding Duration: Modified & Macaulay
Two simple ideas help you understand how sensitive bonds are to interest rate changes.
Modified Duration: Shows how much a bond’s price will change if interest rates move. If RBI hikes rates, bond prices fall. Longer-term bonds fall more than short-term ones. So, a 10-year bond’s price drops more than a 1-year bond if rates rise.
Macaulay Duration: Tells you the average time it takes to recover your investment through coupons and final principal repayment. Longer Macaulay Duration means your money stays locked in longer and faces higher interest rate risk if you want to exit early.
Debt mutual funds handle this automatically by mixing short- and long-term bonds to manage the impact.
When you hold direct bonds, you must build your own mini mutual fund — that means buying multiple bonds from different companies and governments, across different maturities and credit ratings.
Tracking all this takes time, effort, and some expertise. Small retail investors often buy just one or two bonds because the minimum investment is high — but that kills diversification. If something goes wrong with that one issuer, your entire capital is at risk.
Debt mutual funds do this heavy lifting for you at a fraction of the cost and minimum effort.
Who Should Choose Debt Mutual Funds?
If you want peace of mind, easy liquidity, tax deferral, and minimal daily tracking, debt mutual funds are your best bet.
They suit salaried individuals, retirees, busy professionals, or anyone with a low-to-moderate risk appetite who prefers steady returns without the stress of monitoring credit risk.
Who Can Consider Direct Bonds?
Direct bonds may suit you if:
You want fixed periodic income
You have enough capital to spread across 5–10 different bonds
You’re in a lower tax bracket
You understand credit ratings and can monitor them
You’re ready to handle reinvestment, paperwork, and liquidity issues
Some retirees like direct bonds for regular income. But always diversify — never bet everything on one or two bonds.
Conclusion
The bottom line is simple: If you want stable, hassle-free returns with built-in diversification, debt mutual funds are usually the better choice.
If you want direct bonds for predictable income, know the risks, watch out for hidden costs, spread your investment wisely, and stay on top of credit ratings.
Don’t get lured by “high yield” ads alone — always ask: Is the extra return worth the extra risk and effort?
In the world of fixed income, the best investment helps you sleep peacefully at night — not stay awake worrying about defaults.
Final Tip
Before investing, compare, read the fine print, check your tax slab impact, and ask: Do I really want to manage this myself or pay a small fee for an expert to do it for me?
Smart investing is not just about earning more — it’s about keeping more, safely.
Seeing your mortgage payment surge 20% can feel like a punch to the gut, especially when you weren’t expecting it. A jump that large can derail your monthly budget and stress your family’s finances. But there’s a path forward—you’re not helpless. Understanding why the increase happened and knowing the right moves can stop panic from taking over. So, here is what you need to know if your mortgage payment goes up.
Pinpoint the Cause of the Increase
When your mortgage payment goes up, first identify the trigger. Is it due to an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) resetting, a buydown period ending, or soaring property taxes or insurance? Even fixed-rate mortgages can climb if escrow shortages or rising tax assessments come into play. Dive into your statement—focus on the breakdown: principal, interest, taxes, and insurance (PITI). If something feels off, call your servicer immediately to get clarity.
Challenge Errors or Servicing Fees
Lenders sometimes add surprise servicing fees or miscalculate escrow accounts. When your mortgage payment goes up, these charges can sneak in unnoticed. If you suspect a mistake, call your servicer right away, document your call, and request a corrected statement. If that doesn’t resolve it, formally dispute the error in writing following CFPB guidelines. Don’t let errors become permanent charges on your account.
Refinance to Lock in a Better Rate
Refinancing is one of the most effective ways to combat a mortgage payment that goes up scenario especially if your loan is past a buydown or ARM period. Refinancing can secure a lower rate or extend the term to reduce monthly costs. A 15-year refinance might add stability and save on interest long-term despite higher payments than a 30-year loan. Crunch the numbers—refinancing fees matter—but it might ease immediate financial strain.
Explore Loan Modifications or Extensions
If refinancing isn’t a fit, your lender may offer a loan modification to adjust terms and prevent foreclosure. Options include extending the loan term, lowering your interest rate, or even pausing payments temporarily via forbearance. Some government programs let borrowers cap monthly payments at a manageable percentage of income. This could reduce your monthly payment even if refinancing isn’t possible.
Manage Escrow Surprises
Escrow increases from higher taxes or insurance premiums are common culprits when your mortgage payment goes up, even on fixed-rate loans. Review your escrow analysis; sometimes lenders allow spreading shortages over 12 months, easing the immediate impact. If your homeowner’s insurance jumped, shop around or ask your broker for better rates. Lowering these dashboard components can reduce your total payment dramatically.
Cancel Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)
Did you start your mortgage with a down payment under 20%? Your loan likely came with PMI. Reaching 20-22% equity means you’re typically eligible to cancel PMI, dropping a big chunk of your monthly bill. Even before hitting that mark, refinancing into a loan without PMI could be worthwhile. If your mortgage payment goes up just because PMI hasn’t been canceled, it’s time to act.
Go Biweekly or Increase Payments
When your mortgage payment goes up, making biweekly payments or small extra payments can reduce the interest owed over time. That doesn’t lower your current bill, but it shortens the loan’s lifespan and speeds up equity growth. Over the long run, this strategy can offset future rate hikes. If refinancing or modifying isn’t an option, consider this as part of a strategy to get ahead.
Tighten Your Budget or Explore Side Income
A 20% jump in housing costs could force tough decisions. Review where you can trim discretionary spending and tighten your budget. Could lifestyle adjustments—for example, dialing back streaming, dining out, or leisure—help balance things out? Or use this as motivation to find side gigs or extra revenue, like freelancing or ridesharing? Taking action can cushion the blow while you’re resolving your mortgage situation.
Consider Downsizing or Renting Out Space
If your mortgage payment goes up to a point beyond affordability, it may be time to evaluate whether your current home still fits your financial reality. Downsizing to a smaller property or a lower-cost area could slash monthly housing costs. Alternatively, renting out a spare room or basement suite may offset the increase. While not easy, these options can be financial lifelines if remaining costs become unmanageable.
Don’t Let Payment Hikes Derail Your Financial Plan
A 20% increase in your mortgage payment can be scary, but not unbeatable. Taking control starts with knowing why your mortgage payment goes up, then exploring every available safety net—escrow adjustments, PMI cancellation, refinancing, modifications, budgeting, or side income. Homeownership means facing unexpected challenges, but being proactive keeps surprises from becoming crises. If your mortgage payment went up, start with understanding, then choose a strategy that matches your goals.
Has your mortgage payment soared recently? What steps did you take to handle it? Share your experience in the comments to help others facing the same challenge.
Amanda Blankenship is a full-time stay-at-home mom. Her family recently welcomed their second child, a baby boy, into the world. She loves writing about various topics, including politics and personal finance. In her spare time, Amanda loves to play with her kids, make food from scratch, crochet, and read.
I grew up with a solidly middle class upbringing. My parents owned our home, my dad worked full-time and my mom worked part-time.
We were frugal, as many immigrants are, because we had to be.
My dad came here on an education visa with a one-way ticket. He would send money home all the time.
Money was a scarce resource and you had to be careful with it.
Financial insecurity is the anxiety and stress you feel about your financial situation. It’s an emotional response, not a logical one, and it can stick with you regardless of how much money you make or how much wealth you’ve accumulated.
🎧 Case in point: Here’s a short clip of a chat between Scott Galloway (~$100mm net worth) and Sam Parr (~$20mm net worth) and their financial insecurities – yes, it sounds absurd to have insecurities when you have tens to hundreds of millions… but it’s common! Khe Hy writes about it.
I once felt this acutely and despite our net worth increasing, there are still times I feel it but there are steps you can take to mitigate it.
Whether it’s a partner, close friend, or a therapist, it’s important to talk about your feelings with someone you trust. More or less, we all have emotional feelings about money. And like any other feelings, talking about them often makes them better.
The person you talk to doesn’t need to have the answers or be able to help you solve your problems. They can simply be there to listen. Just putting it into words may help you deal with some of the anxiety and stress.
I always find it funny that money is a taboo subject in such a capitalist society. Find someone you trust who you can talk to and it could significantly help your mental health.
💰 Keep a larger cash cushion
Remember, financial security is an emotional feeling, not a logical one, and so you have to trick yourself into believing you are financial secure – that means keeping a larger cash cushion in your checking and savings account.
Call it an emergency fund. Call it a rainy day fund. Call it your regular ole checking – it’s fine to keep more than you truly need if it can help alleviate your anxiety.
How much? That depends on how you feel.
I keep a few months of expenses in our checking and savings account. I know it’s better off in something else but this peace of mind is worth the few extra dollars in interest. Most of it is in the savings account, which protects the checking account from overdrafts, so I’m not giving up that much in interest.
📔 Check in on finances regularly
I update our net worth each month and this is a very important part of our financial system.
Every month, I log into each account and record the numbers. I used to check more often with tools like Empower Personal Dashboard but for monthly check-ins, I log in manually to each account. This has pushed me to simplify our finances, so I log into fewer accounts.
By recording our net worth, I know how much we have.
I don’t “feel” how much we have, I can see it.
And I’m reminded that some months the market does badly and the number goes down by a lot. Sometimes the market does well and it goes up by a lot. This slowly inoculates me from the emotional response to market volatility, which is inevitable.
🥅 Establish a financial plan with goals
A financial plan is good regardless of how you feel about your money.
One with goals will give you a sense of progress and growth as well as a path forward.
Uncertainty is what creates worry. Having a plan can help with that uncertainty because now instead of fearing the unknown, you’re working towards a goal. You can redirect that energy.
I do want to add that there is something known as the boring middle. This is when you’ve established a plan and you’re simply working towards your goals. There’s nothing to do, per se, except continue on the path you’ve chosen. It’s “boring” because there are no decisions, but that’s part of any trip.
Don’t let insecurity creep in during the boring middle – keep following your plan.
📱 Calculate your debt-to-income ratio
If you have a “lot of debt,” that can be stressful. Sometimes it’s the numerical figure that causes you stress. Sometimes it’s simply its existence.
By calculating your debt-to-income ratio, you can put that debt into context.
And not all debts are equal. Unsecured credit card debt is different than mortgage debt. I’d argue that most people with a mortgage probably have a seemingly sky-high debt to income ratio… but that’s normal, especially if you’re young.
📺 Stop watching the news
During Covid, the news was a direct cause of my anxiety. It also caused financial anxiety because the markets were crumbling as the whole of the United States shut down.
All of our kids were home. We were stressed. And now I’m watching scenes of overflowing hospitals and infection figures. It was terrible.
I stopped watching the news. Being informed wasn’t helping me manage my day to day. It was making it worse.
Stopping was the best thing I did for our mental health during that period.
You can watch the news if it doesn’t cause you anxiety but if it does, consider stopping. Stop it and anything else that makes the feelings of anxiety and insecurity worse. Perhaps it’s staying off social media. Perhaps it’s something else – but try to identify it and stop.
🧠 Remember, it’s a work in progress
To this day, despite being in a much stronger financial position, I don’t like spending a lot of money. I also love finding a good deal. It’s hard to shake the things you learn as a kid but it’s something that you need to do, especially if they no longer serve you.
Yes, the dopamine hit you get when you find a deal is always fun but it costs you precious time. While I won’t drive across the street to save 5 cents a gallon on gasoline, I will search for coupons before I buy something. 🤣
It’s a work in progress and the work is never done. There’s always going to be a time when it creeps in and you just have to use your tools to calm it down. Hopefully some of these ideas will help.
