Picture this: It’s been a stressful morning and you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed, so you decide on a quick break. As you stroll past your favourite coffee shop, you say to yourself, “Yeah, I deserve that latte today.” But soon enough, that little treat becomes part of your daily routine.

Welcome to “treat brain.” It’s when we splurge on items to feel better about the chaos of life or reward ourselves for completing a task. “Life is stressful, and those quick hits of gratification from purchases can provide a temporary escape,” Kelly Ho, a Certified Financial Planner at DLD Financial Group, told Peak Money.

The problem: Treat brain isn’t sustainable for your wallet. Ho warns, “If we indulge every day, it can lead to financial issues down the road.”

What you can do: Try connecting those rewards to your achievements. Instead of buying a coffee just because you made it outside, maybe wait until payday and treat yourself for sticking to your budget. “Doing that actually makes those rewards even more meaningful,” Ho said.

MEERA RAMAN –  THE PEAK
PUBLISHED OCTOBER 10, 2024