Feeling Bad After Spending Your Own Money? 6 Simple Rules to Avoid Money Guilt

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Greetings, and welcome to the twentieth edition of Wallet Wellness in 2025 - your weekly source of practical personal finance tips to elevate your money management skills.

We hope you had a chance to check out the last edition, where we explained 7,200 Kenyans Are Worth Above Ksh128 Million; 5 Things They Are Doing Differently. In today’s edition, we discuss the simple rules you can follow to avoid feeling guilty while spending your money (or wasting it in the process).

As always, be sure to check out the Concept Corner below for a deep dive into the money concept of the week.

Let’s dive in! 

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MONEY254 TIP OF THE WEEK

Feeling Bad After Spending Your Own Money? 6 Simple Rules to Avoid Money Guilt

The month has hit a critical juncture where salaried individuals have become cognisant of their daily budgets. A time when you buy something, feel a quick thrill… then the guilt creeps in. “Did I really need that?” “Could that money have gone somewhere smarter?” And suddenly, what felt like a moment of joy becomes a quiet shame spiral.

But here's the thing: spending isn’t the problem. Guilt-free spending is possible—and it starts with intention, not restriction.

Let’s unpack how to enjoy your money without carrying the emotional weight.

1. Guilt Usually Comes from Ambiguity 😬

When you're not clear on your money priorities, every purchase feels like a gamble.

Why It Matters: You can’t feel good about your spending if you don’t know whether it aligns with your goals.

The Fix: Create a personal spending framework. Decide your “Big 3” values (e.g., health, learning, family) and spend freely within those categories—and trim from areas that don’t matter as much to you.

2. Budget Joy On Purpose 🎉

Most budgets are built around restrictions. No wonder they feel heavy.

Why It Matters: If your money plan doesn’t include fun, you'll either rebel or feel guilty anytime you enjoy your money.

The Fix: Include a “guilt-free spending” line in your budget. Whether it’s Ksh 500 or Ksh 5,000—what matters is permission.

3. Watch Out for the Comparison Trap 📱

Scrolling through everyone’s highlight reel can make you feel like you’re always “doing it wrong” with money.

Why It Matters: Guilt often comes from measuring your spending against someone else’s life, income, or priorities.

The Fix: Unfollow accounts that trigger guilt or envy and reaffirm your own financial goals before payday. You’re running your race.

4. Track Feelings, Not Just Figures ✍️

We track numbers (expenses, income, savings)—but what about emotions?

Why It Matters: Patterns of guilt, anxiety, or shame often reveal where your money beliefs need attention.

The Fix: Keep a simple “money journal” for a week. Note what you spent and how you felt after then use it to tweak—not punish—your habits.

5. Let Go of “Perfect” Spending 🎯

Perfection is a trap. Even the most disciplined budgeters mess up.

Why It Matters: Expecting yourself to always spend “right” creates an all-or-nothing mindset. Guilt thrives there.

The Fix: Aim for consistency, not perfection, because one unplanned expense doesn’t undo your financial journey.

6. Replace Guilt with Reflection 🔁

Instead of beating yourself up, ask: What’s this guilt trying to teach me?

Why It Matters: Guilt can be useful when it leads to learning, not shame.

The Fix:

• Ask: Was this aligned with my values?
  

• If yes, celebrate! If not, adjust next time. No spirals. Just steps forward.

Bottom Line:
Spending money can be joyful, meaningful, and free of guilt when it reflects your values and goals. You don’t need to “earn” the right to enjoy your money; you just need to decide, with clarity and kindness, what matters to you.

CONCEPT CORNER

Securities

Securities are tradable financial assets that hold some type of monetary value. They come in different forms—like stocks (which represent ownership in a company), bonds (which are essentially loans to companies or governments), and mutual funds (which pool money to invest in a mix of assets). Securities are commonly used by investors to grow wealth and by institutions to raise capital for their operations. Learn More.

MONEY254 #MONEYTOK

2 Years After Leaving Employment, I Make Over Ksh200K Per Month - Spa Owner

Samuel Antony Ngugi, known as Tony, runs a locs and beauty business opposite Quickmart Kiserian that he started in June 2023 after leaving employment. He earns Ksh5,000–7,000 daily and has employed 11 people, including students. In today’s MoneyTok, we explain what it takes for your money to double using the above rule. Watch the video and draw some inspiration from it.

@money254hq

𝟐 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐈 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐊𝐬𝐡𝟐𝟎𝟎𝐊 𝐏𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 - 𝐒𝐩𝐚 𝐎𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫 Samuel Antony Ngugi, known as Tony, runs a locs and beauty bus... See more

That's it for the nineteenth Wallet Wellness edition of 2025! We hope these financial tips have added some energy to your weekly hustle. Stay tuned for more practical insights in our next edition of "Wallet Wellness" next week and watch out for Money Weekly.

Also, don’t forget to download the Money254 App on the Google Play Store, and remember that we can help you compare over 300 loans, savings accounts, current accounts, and more if you’re thinking about your next product.

Cheers to your wallet's well-being!

Money254 editorial team.