New Delhi, July 15 -- You just got a raise. So, naturally, you reward yourself - a better phone, dining out more often, maybe you upgrade your car. After all, you've earned it. But this celebration of success hides a dangerous pattern.

This isn't about spoiling yourself - it's about gradually resetting your "normal" to a point that becomes financially unsustainable.

What you're experiencing is lifestyle creep. And left unchecked, it's one of the biggest reasons people feel broke, even with rising incomes.

Lifestyle creep (also called lifestyle inflation) refers to the gradual increase in your spending as your income grows. It doesn't happen overnight; it builds silently over months and years, disguised as rewards or necessities.

Here'...