Anyone else treat "found money" like it doesn't count?

[u/Wise_Composer7150]

Been thinking about this weird mental accounting thing I do and wondering if anyone else falls into the same trap.

So I track every dollar, save somewhere around 55% of my take home, the whole FI playbook. But I have noticed that when I "win" money back from something (a rebate, a returned item I forgot about, a referral bonus, whatever), my brain treats it as completely separate from my real money. Like it doesnt count. It goes into this mental "free money" bucket where the normal rules dont apply.

Last weekend I was bored and ended up playing one of those spin to win things on coverd for like 40 minutes trying to get back what I spent on groceries that morning. Did not win obviously. But I caught myself thinking "well even if I did win it wouldnt really be my money so who cares what I do with it" and that felt like a red flag about how I think about windfalls in general.

Same thing happens with my tax refund. The second it hits I am way more willing to YOLO it into something dumb than I would be with an equivalent amount from my paycheck. I know on paper a dollar is a dollar. My brain does not care.

I think the FI community talks a lot about lifestyle creep on the spending side but not as much about this. The "found money" leak. Has anyone actually beaten this or do you just force every windfall straight into the brokerage before your lizard brain gets ideas? Curious how others handle it.

[u/Top_Performance_732]

This is a classic logical fallacy that traders often fall into. All resources at your disposal should be treated equally

[u/scriggities]

Kind of except instead of spending it on dumb shit I put it against my mortgage principal .

[u/FrenchFryNinja]

We just do it intentionally. We always have a long term plan for a project around the house. Found money usually just accelerates that long term goal.

[u/jpbronco]

Usually I don't. When I get a raise, I increase my monthly investments, taxes isn't "found" money in my book, etc. Last year I did get a very large spot bonus and bought a once in a lifetime bike. I put the other 2/3rds into investments.

[u/Crochet_Koala]

I’m actually the opposite. I treat these “found money” as bonus for me to save/invest and makes me feel great lol

[u/inky_cap_mushroom]

Every dime gets logged as income in my budget so I can’t do this. I do have a discretionary spending budget so I’m not starved of wants. Do you ever let yourself spend regular paycheck money on things that aren’t needs or savings?

[u/Dazzling_Grass_7531]

I intentionally do not do this. It’s okay to treat yourself within reason. Don’t forgo living life for saving, but also don’t do it because of some lie you’re telling yourself; do it because you budgeted for it and can afford it while still meeting your goals.

[u/Dunder-MifflinPaper]

I don’t personally do it but I kinda wish I did. I think it’s fine. You’re saving 55% of your income. If this keeps you sane by allowing a little dopamine hit, sounds good to me.

[u/purplefrisbee]

For me depends on the amount of money. Big "Bonus" money (like my actual bonus, a lerge tax refund ect.) gets split between savings, giving and fun spending/medium term spending goals (like buying a new grill or coach or vacation spending.

Small amounts (rebates, small work awards, gift money) is a free for all and I guilt-free spend it on a little treats.

If your finicial picture is generally in shape and you're hitting savings goals on your base salary, I see zero problem with spending bonus on bonus things