Why Trying to Save Money Was Costing Me More Than I Realized

For years, I believed that being good with money meant spending as little as possible. I thought every dollar I didn't spend was a dollar I'd saved.

My thinking changed when I lived in Chiang Mai, Thailand. When I lived out there I would often take a 12-hour overnight bus to Bangkok instead of paying an extra US$25 for a direct flight.

At the time, I thought I was making a smart financial decision.

I wasn't.

The US$25 Decision That Cost Me US$400

One day, the bus was delayed and I missed my international flight. Instead of saving US$25, I had to spend more than US$400 on a new ticket just to get to my destination.

That moment completely changed how I thought about money because I realized I wasn't making financial decisions from abundance, I was making them from fear. I wasn't simply trying to save money. I was afraid to spend it.

Once I saw that pattern, I noticed it everywhere, not just in my travel but in my business as well. I tried to do everything myself, I designed my own graphics, managed my own social media and signed up for countless free courses instead of investing in the support I actually needed.

I convinced myself I was saving money but I was spending something even more valuable:

My time.

My energy.

My creativity.

My peace of mind.

Looking back, I wasn't building a business.

I was building a struggle story.

Part of me wanted to be able to say:

"I did it all by myself."

But carrying everything alone wasn't making me stronger, it was exhausting me.

Investing in Support Changed Everything

After missing that flight, I made a different decision.

Instead of asking,

"How can I spend less?"

I started asking,

"What investment would give me more time, more energy, and more capacity to grow?"

That question transformed my business - Ihired a social media manager, virtual assistants, a business coach and I joined masterminds.

I enrolled in courses that shortened my learning curve instead of trying to figure everything out alone.

Each investment created more ease and with that ease came growth.

Why Investing in Yourself Can Save You Money

One of the biggest lessons I've learned is that the right support often pays for itself.

What my coach helps me understand in two hours might have taken me two weeks to figure out on my own.

Those are two weeks I can spend writing, leading my team, serving clients, exploring new business opportunities, or simply resting.

Support doesn't just save time.

It creates space for better decisions.

The Return on Investing in Myself

As I stopped trying to be Superwoman and started building a support system, my business grew in ways I couldn't have imagined.

I was able to purchase property without taking on debt.

I renovated my mother's home.

I expanded my investments.

I even took five months away from my business to learn Spanish, rest, and focus on my mental health, knowing my business could continue without me carrying every responsibility.

None of that happened because I became more productive.

It happened because I stopped believing I had to do everything alone.

The Real Question Isn't "Can I Afford It?"

When we're afraid to spend money, we often ask:

"Can I afford this?"

Sometimes the more important question is:

"What is it costing me not to invest?"

Not every purchase is an investment nut the right support can change the trajectory of your life, whether that's coaching, education, a financial advisor, childcare, therapy, or hiring your first team member, investing in yourself isn't just about spending money.

It's about creating the capacity to earn more, enjoy your life, and build wealth without sacrificing your wellbeing, sometimes the most expensive decision isn't investing in yourself, it's waiting years because you're afraid to.