Spending creep happens when your expenses gradually increase without you really noticing—a subscription here, a nicer coffee there, slightly more expensive groceries. It's not a dramatic lifestyle change, but these small upgrades add up over time and can quietly eat away at your ability to save or reach financial goals.

Spending creep often goes hand-in-hand with lifestyle inflation, but it's sneakier because each individual expense feels justified or insignificant. The antidote is regular check-ins with your spending to ensure your money is still aligned with what truly matters to you.