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Why spending money can sometimes make you feel wealthier than saving it
11th September, 2026 11:27 AM
For many people, seeing money accumulate in a savings account brings a sense of security. But for others, the feeling can be different.
Spending money on something they need, enjoy, or have been planning for can sometimes leave them feeling better about their finances than watching the same amount sit untouched in an account.
This does not necessarily mean such people dislike saving. It can have more to do with how people experience money and the immediate satisfaction that comes with using it.
Spending gives an immediate sense of value
Saving often comes with a future reward. A person may put aside money for rent, school fees, an emergency, or a major purchase, but the benefit may only be felt months or years later.
Spending, on the other hand, creates an immediate result. Buying a new item, paying for a meal, travelling, taking care of a personal need, or even treating someone can make a person feel that their money has served a purpose.
People can experience greater well-being from certain spending decisions, particularly when the purchase is meaningful to them. The study also found that people who spent money in ways that made them happy reported improvements in their overall well-being months later.
This helps explain why someone can spend Ksh 5,000 and feel satisfied, while saving the same amount may not create the same emotional response.
The feeling of having something to show
Another reason spending can feel rewarding is that it creates something visible or useful.
Someone who saves Ksh 10,000 may only see a figure on a mobile banking application. Someone who spends the same amount on new clothes, a household item, a short trip or a course can immediately see what the money has provided.
The money has been converted into something that can be used or experienced. That can create the feeling that one has gained something rather than simply moved money from one place to another.
This is also why some people find it easier to justify spending on experiences or personal development. The purchase may not increase their bank balance, but it can provide memories, skills, convenience or personal satisfaction.
Why saving can sometimes feel like losing money
Saving requires people to think beyond the present. The benefit is often linked to a future situation that may feel uncertain.
A person saving for an emergency may not know when that emergency will happen. Someone saving for a house may need years before reaching the target. During that period, there may be moments when the saver feels that the money could have been used for something more immediate.
According to research on spending and saving behaviour, saving can improve long-term well-being by reducing uncertainty, while spending can provide immediate gratification. The challenge is that the two compete for the same money.
This can make spending feel more rewarding in the short term, even when saving may be more beneficial in the long run.
Spending does not always mean financial irresponsibility
Feeling good after spending money does not automatically mean a person is careless with their finances. The important factor is what the money is being used for and whether the spending fits within the person’s financial situation.
Paying for something necessary, investing in education, buying time-saving services, or enjoying an affordable experience can all have value beyond the amount spent.
The problem begins when the temporary feeling of being richer encourages someone to spend money meant for important future needs.
Finding a balance between today and tomorrow
Money can provide two different forms of satisfaction. Saving can offer security and reduce worry about the future, while responsible spending can provide enjoyment and make everyday life more comfortable.
The two do not necessarily have to compete. A person can set aside money for future goals while also leaving room for planned spending.
