Yes, saving matters.
But if you keep calculating everything and cutting back, you can end up with a full bank account...
And an empty life.
Brino's experience
A Reddit user called Brino went through exactly that.
For years, he calculated and optimised everything:
- His budget
- His spending
- His ETF investments
His rule was to avoid unnecessary spending: no trips, no nights out with friends.
Even replacing a worn-out mattress didn't matter to him, as long as he could save money...
His bank balance grew before his eyes.
His quality of life didn't.
His own words summed it up perfectly:
"I was optimising for financial security, not happiness. But security is only half the equation."
That's when he realised he needed to save money and enjoy his life at the same time.
One didn't rule out the other. His spending just needed to make his life better.
What wealthy people do
I came across another Reddit post where people with substantial wealth listed their "best purchases" of the year.
And guess what?
They follow the same principle Brino had only recently discovered.
They spend on things or experiences that actually improve their day-to-day lives.
Some focus on saving time. Others value peace of mind.
That's the approach I support too: finding a balance between financial security and spending that makes life better.
Because money should improve your life, not just pile up.