Salary Hike? Don't Just Spend It! Upgrade Your Life & Balance Sheet Smartly

• Avoid lifestyle creep: Salary hikes often vanish into small, permanent upgrades without improving savings.
• Plan proactively: Decide how much of the incremental money is for your future and how much for your present *before* spending begins.
• Automate savings: Immediately increase SIPs, retirement contributions, or transfer funds to a separate account on payday.
• Prioritize financial health: Use the hike to clear high-cost debt, build an emergency fund, and strengthen insurance coverage.
• Smart lifestyle upgrades: Choose one or two areas that genuinely improve daily life, avoiding widespread fixed costs and big commitments.

Why It Matters: Use your salary hike strategically to secure your financial future and thoughtfully enhance your lifestyle.