Episode 13 - Lifestyle Inflation - Why You're Still Broke After a Pay Raise (The Raise Trap)

Episode 13 - Lifestyle Inflation - Why You're Still Broke After a Pay Raise (The Raise Trap)

From Living Dirt Cheap by The Canny Couple

March 29, 2026 · 21 min · Episode 13

About this episode

This episode discusses the concept of lifestyle inflation and how it affects wealth building after a pay raise.

Did you just get a raise, but your bank account didn't get the memo? You’re not alone. In this episode of Living Dirt Cheap with the Canny Couple , Julia and Aaron break down "The Raise Trap." We discuss why most people fail to build wealth when their income increases, how "lifestyle creep" and "priceless experience" FOMO are keeping you in debt, and our exact, actionable system for treating your savings like a non-negotiable bill. If you want to stop keeping up with the Joneses and start funding your freedom, this episode is for you. _________________________ We are a debt-free family living on one normal income in rural Southwest Virginia without feeling deprived. After paying off all our debt, we realized real freedom didn’t come from earning more; it came from needing less on purpose. We treat our home as an asset and use traditional skills to solve modern money problems. Join us each week as we share the practical financial strategies, frugal habits, and "inflation shields" that allow us to live a rich life on a small budget. If you want to escape the rat race and build wealth, you're in the right place. Visit us at…

People in this episode

Hosts: Julia, Aaron

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Living Dirt Cheap, The Canny Couple

Places: Southwest Virginia

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