Your 20s are wild.
You’re finally earning your own money and somehow also watching it dissipate into thin air.
If that’s you, keep calm – me too.
Most of us step into the same money traps – and the good news is, once you spot them, you can dodge them.
Here are the 5 sneaky ways your cash keeps slipping away:
1. The “I Deserve It” Splurge
Bad day? Add to cart.
Good day? Also add to cart.
That little voice saying, “I’ve worked hard, I deserve this” is basically the devil in a shopping bag.
Treating yourself is fine, but if every week feels like a reward week, your wallet won’t survive.
2. Buy Now, Cry Later
BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later) feels like free money… until all those payments hit at once. Suddenly, half your paycheck is gone before you’ve even blinked.
Nuren Reminder: if you can’t afford it today, future-you won’t magically be richer in three months.
3. Food Delivery Addiction
Nothing wrong with the occasional bubble tea or late-night order, but if you’re ordering GrabFood, foodpanda, AND ShopeeFood like it’s a personality trait, that’s hundreds flying out of your account every month.
Cooking may not look as aesthetic on IG, but your bank balance will love you.
4. Subscription Sneak Attack
Spotify. Netflix. Disney+.
That random app you downloaded for “free trial” meditation and forgot to cancel (or use).
Each one feels small, but together? They’re eating your budget like termites.
Do a subscription audit once in a while and be brutal.
5. Lifestyle Inflation
Remember when you survived on instant noodles in uni?
Now one paycheck comes in and suddenly it’s, “I only drink oat milk lattes”.
Upgrading your lifestyle every time your salary bumps feels great… until you realise you’re still broke, just with fancier coffee.
Budget Now, Enjoy Later
Falling into these traps doesn’t mean you’re “bad with money”.
It just means you’re in your 20s – figuring things out, making mistakes, and learning as you go.
The trick is to catch yourself early and hit the brakes!
So, the next time you hover over “Checkout”, ask yourself: Is this future-me approved?
If the answer is ‘No’… maybe it’s time to close that tab and let your bank account breathe. Sales will come again.