156. How I Have Upgraded My Life + The Little Things That Make My Day Better (no lifestyle creep)

Over the last decade, I have very intentionally upgraded different areas of my life - from where I live, to how I spend my time, to the small daily habits that shape my routine. In this episode, I’m walking through the upgrades that have genuinely made a difference, without falling into the trap of lifestyle creep. he goal is to understand what actually improves your life and making intentional decisions from that place. If you are trying to refine your lifestyle without losing control of your finances, this episode will give you a clear framework for doing that.

We cover:

👉🏻 The big upgrades that changed my quality of life

👉🏻 Daily habits that improved my energy, focus, and routines

👉🏻 Small purchases that make everyday life feel better

👉🏻 How my approach to spending has evolved over time

Other Episodes/References Mentioned:

Living Alone: https://youtu.be/0rmaioROGcI

FI/RE Video: https://youtu.be/0cH7vduRWRE

Oura Ring: https://youtu.be/epFtBNTTZq4

How I Cleared My Skin: https://youtu.be/zRZGwoX0BDE

Planning Vlog: https://youtu.be/-aJTHTm_4_4

Subscribe to Beyond Your Budget:

https://breakyourbudget.substack.com/

Personal Finance Starter Kit:

https://breakyourbudget.substack.com/p/your-personal-finance-starter-kit

BREAK YOUR BUDGET RESOURCES:

💸 Personal Finance Dashboard:

https://breakyourbudget.com/personal-finance-dashboard

💸 Basic Budgeting Template:

https://breakyourbudget.com/basic-budgeting-template

💸 FI/RE Template:

https://breakyourbudget.com/fire-template

💸 RENT VS. BUY CALCULATOR

https://breakyourbudget.com/rent-vs-buy-calculator

💳 Tools + Cards I Use:

Rakuten Cash Back: https://shorturl.at/w0PcH

SoFi HYSA: https://wealthlink.me/michela-sofi-hysa

AmEx Platinum: https://tinyurl.com/2rkrysw2

Bilt Rewards: https://tinyurl.com/4kd8s33a

Blue Cash Everyday: https://tinyurl.com/yrcbr2ac

All Other Resources:

https://breakyourbudget.com/links

👩🏼‍💻 Inquiries: michela@breakyourbudget.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakyourbudget/

📲 Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@breakyourbudget

📸 Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/michela_alloccaa

💸 My ShopMy:

https://shopmy.us/shop/michelaallocca

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 – Why I think about lifestyle upgrades differently

02:00 – Avoiding lifestyle creep while still upgrading your life

05:30 – Living alone and prioritizing your space

10:00 – Investing in your sleep and home environment

14:00 – Coffee setup and daily rituals

17:30 – Knowing your financial independence numbers

20:30 – Decentering work from your identity

24:30 – Wellness upgrades (Oura ring, skincare)

30:00 – Daily habits that changed my routine

42:00 – Small products that elevate everyday life