I'm 33 and make $140K. Is blowing my extra cash on soccer jerseys and nights out hurting my financial future?

By Aditi Shrikant

'Whenever I work a lot of overtime, I just treat myself even more'

Any friction you can create during the shopping process will help you cut down on unplanned spending.

Dear Dollar Signs,

I make $140,000 a year working as a journalist in Los Angeles, but, as a 33-year-old, I often don't feel like I'm doing enough to set myself up for the future.

I save about 10% of every paycheck, contribute to my 401(k) and pay all my bills on time. But I feel like I often spend too much on things I don't need like soccer jerseys or nights out. Whenever I work a lot of overtime, I just treat myself even more.

I don't really budget, which is my issue. Basically I use one credit card for fun (nights out and splurge buys), one card for work travel and one card for necessities. Am I doing enough? Or, what should I be doing more of so that I'm not broke one day in the future?

Sincerely,

Clueless in LA

If you're just starting out on your money or career journey and have questions about how to navigate your finances, we want to hear from you. Write to Dollar Signs, MarketWatch's new advice column, at dollarsigns@marketwatch.com.

Dear Clueless,

I think you're experiencing a bit of imposter syndrome about being financially responsible - and I can relate.

Being shoddily employed in my 20s gave me a scarcity mindset that was hard to shake. Even though I now have a 401(k) and an emergency fund, I still catch myself feeling like I'm not doing enough to ensure a financially stable future. And when I buy something I don't need, especially when it's on the pricier side, the spending hangover I get always gives me a little bit of anxiety

Still, you're making some smart choices sans budgeting. And - even though many financial planners recommend budgeting - to me, budgeting is the worst. It can feel overly restrictive and, as a result, sour our relationship with money. The fact that you're already pretty savvy makes the act even more unnecessary.

However, there are guardrails you can put in place to feel more in control of your funds and cut down on impulse spending, like making it harder to shop on your phone.

I also wonder if you're fully utilizing all of your credit cards. Using three credit cards isn't necessarily a bad thing, as long as you pay them off in full every month, but you should be taking advantage of all the incentives they offer, like points or cash-back rewards.

How to cut down on impulse spending

At your age, your retirement account should (although it's not always possible) have the equivalent of one year's salary and your emergency fund should cover at least six months' worth of expenses. If you are meeting those goals, paying your bills and paying off your credit cards on time, then the rest of your funds are more or less fun money.

Be vigilant that you're not falling into a trap called "lifestyle creep," which is when your spending rises with your income. Usually, this is due to impulse buying and upgrades in your lifestyle - a bigger apartment in a nicer neighborhood, or an extra vacation in a ritzy hotel.

These changes are easy to justify because they often make our lives easier. For example, hiring professional movers as opposed to using your friends, or buying lunch every day instead of brown-bagging it can feel like worthwhile conveniences. But, they can be pretty costly.

Instead of just aimlessly spending all the money you have left over after meeting your financial obligations, assign yourself a fixed amount for nonessentials, suggests Susie McLane, a certified financial planner at Summit Place Financial Advisors in Summit, N.J. Here is the important part of this strategy: Don't raise that number if your salary goes up.

"Train yourself so that any raises you get, you put away into a savings or an investment account and let the money continue working for you," McLane said.

Any friction you can create during the shopping process will help you cut down on unplanned spending. For example, if you're making a lot of online purchases, delete your credit-card information from your phone or computer. I know I've fallen out of love with a few items after learning I'd have to type in my credit-card number to obtain them.

"If you have to force yourself to think about the purchase for even a second longer, then you're less likely to hit the 'buy now' button," McClane said.

You can also put some more effort into bargain hunting when it comes to splurges like those soccer jerseys you mentioned. The popular Lionel Messi Inter Miami light-pink jersey, for example, is $130 at the official Major League Soccer online store. But on wholesale sites like DHgate.com, you can get a convincing replica for under $20.

If the team matters more than the player, you can buy the jersey of an athlete who was just traded, as it will have gone down in price significantly.

Get the most out of your credit cards

Having three credit cards is smart, according to Chris Nelson, a credit-card writer at The Points Guys. But you want to make sure you're getting the most out of them.

One way to do this is to create a spreadsheet. That is what Nelson, who has 10 credit cards, does: One column is dedicated to the balance due date, and the others track all the rewards points he needs to use and by what date.

"Basically, I'm trying to get as much of the annual fee back as possible," he said.

Make sure that your credit card's incentives align with your behavior. If you eat out more than you buy groceries, for example, you'll want cards that give you points at restaurants rather than supermarkets.

Nelson likes the American Express (AXP) Gold Card or a Capital One (COF) Savor card for "fun," he said. They earn a lot of rewards for dining out and entertainment.

With the American Express Gold Card, you get four-times the amount of points at restaurants, and with the Capital One Savor, you get 3% cash back on entertainment and restaurants. (The Points Guys is compensated by some credit-card companies, but says its reviews are not affected by those agreements.)

It's clear you're making some thoughtful financial choices. I'm confident you will not end up "broke" in 50 years. But by doing a bit of planning around your nonessential purchases, you can quell some of that spending anxiety.

Because drinking cocktails and buying soccer jerseys is fun! But it's even more fun when you're not riddled with guilt.

-Aditi Shrikant

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10-31-25 1352ET