You set a goal. You stuck to your plan. You reached the finish line. And then… you hesitate.
Maybe you saved $10,000 for that dream vacation you’ve been talking about for months. But now that the money’s sitting in your account, a new thought creeps in:
“Maybe I should wait until I have $15,000 — just to be safe.”
Sound familiar?
If so, you’re not alone. You might be what we call a goalpost mover.
Here at Consolidated Planning, we help people navigate these kinds of moments every day — when the plan says, you’re ready, but your mindset still says, maybe just a little more. It’s not about doing the math. It’s about shifting the way you think about money so you can actually enjoy what you’ve worked for
So why does spending — even when it’s part of the plan — feel so uncomfortable?
Buyer’s Remorse And Your Goals
Think back to a time when you bought something you really wanted and then immediately felt unsure about it.
Buyer’s remorse isn’t just a fluke. It’s often your internal voice questioning: was that worth it? Even when it absolutely WAS.
Maybe you’ve saved for something meaningful, waited patiently, followed through with your plan — and then still questioned the decision right after. That hesitation is normal. And it doesn’t mean you did something wrong. It means your brain might be wired to value accumulation over enjoyment.
But here’s the truth – wanting something is okay. Saving for something is smart. And spending on something you value isn’t something you need to apologize for. That’s exactly what the money is there for.
Money Scripts And Your Mindset
We all carry what the field of Financial Psychology refers to as “money scripts”— deeply held beliefs about money’s role and influence on our lives, often formed in childhood. Some are helpful, and others get in the way.
If you learned early on that money was scarce and only available for essentials, you might have internalized the idea that it’s never safe to spend.
Or maybe you equate bigger numbers in your bank account with a feeling of more security — why stop at $30,000 if you can keep pushing for $60,000?
Watching a savings account grow gives some people the same emotional boost others get from shopping. And neuroscience backs this up. Whether you’re a spender or a saver, both behaviors can trigger similar pleasure responses by releasing dopamine into your brain.
If you’re the spender, you already know this is true.
But putting biology aside, the point is this: spending hesitancy often isn’t about math. It’s about mindset.
There are ways to work with it rather than against it to get the most out of your efforts without missing opportunities or leaving money on the table.
2 Strategies For Spending Your Money Confidently
Here are a few strategies you can use to feel more confident when it’s time to use your money — without second-guessing yourself or moving the goalpost.
1. Cover the Big Things First
You don’t need to overanalyze every dollar if you’ve already handled the essentials.
When your income is protected, your retirement plan is structured properly, your taxes are under control, and your debt is working for — not against — you, then the rest of your money can do what it was meant to do: help you live the life you’ve planned.
This is what we call the anti-budget. Handle the big rocks first. Then spend freely within the boundaries you’ve already set. That structure helps reduce that feeling of guilt, build confidence, and make your financial decisions feel purposeful.
2. Use Mental Accounting
Your brain loves structure. So give it some.
Label your accounts based on what they’re for: retirement, education, emergencies — or even something fun like “Family Adventure Fund” or “Lake House Savings.” That labeling gives your dollars a job and it makes it harder to spend them impulsively.
Better yet, try using a central “wealth-building account” where all your income lands. From there, funnel it into clearly named accounts aligned with your goals. The clarity of earmarking your dollars ahead of time gives you the freedom you need to allow yourself to spend.
Find Confidence In Your Retirement Plan
Too often, we keep stretching the target just because we can. But if you never allow yourself to enjoy the rewards, your plan can start to feel like a treadmill — always running.
However, if you’re not yet confident in your retirement plan, it can be hard to trust that plan and spend some of those dollars.
To stop moving the goalpost and build a better post-retirement life, talk with a financial advisor at Consolidated Planning.
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Exp. 6/2027
Guardian, its subsidiaries, agents and employees do not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. Consult your tax, legal, or accounting professional regarding your individual situation. The information provided is based on our general understanding of the subject matter discussed and is for informational purposes only.
This material contains the current opinions of James M. Matthews and Consolidated Planning only. These are not the opinions of Park Avenue Securities, Guardian, or its subsidiaries.
Registered Representative and Financial Advisor of Park Avenue Securities LLC (PAS). Securities products and advisory services offered through PAS, member FINRA, SIPC. Financial Representative of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America® (Guardian), New York, NY. PAS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Guardian. CP Planning Group, Inc. is not an affiliate or subsidiary of PAS or Guardian.
