Does spending money make you feel bad? Read this comic

August 10, 2026
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Ever regretted spending too much on dinner? Or ashamed about not being able to give a family member more financial support?

There’s a term for this feeling, says certified financial planner Lauryn Williams: financial guilt. And it can hold you back from taking steps to fix your finances — or enjoying the money you do have.

Narratives like “I should have known better” or “I shouldn’t be in this situation” don’t help, she says. “They don’t allow you to move forward because you feel so guilty.”

Williams, the founder of the financial planning firm Worth Winning, shares three kinds of financial guilt and how to address them.

This comic was reported by Marielle Segarra and written and illustrated by Abi Inman.

Have you ever gone out for a delicious meal and then, after you paid, you felt <<Image: Patron sitting at a group dinner. A waiter is bringing them the check.>> …TERRIBLE? <<Image: Patron receives check, which is now an anthropomorphized Bill >> <<Image: Patron looking queasy, thought bubble with text in a spiral. Bill looking on, concerned. looks visibly shaken by expensive receipt and begins to spiral.>>

There's a name for this feeling, says Lauryn Williams, a certified financial planner: financial guilt. Some people feel this when they've overspent. Others feel it because they're not spending enough or giving enough." <<Image: Lauryn Williams portrait. Bill speech bubble says, “Fun fact: She’s also an Olympic medalist, in both track and field AND bobsledding.”>> It can hold you back from taking steps to fix your finances — and stop you from enjoying life's pleasures, she says. <<Image: Guilt hovers over patron’s shoulder at the dinner table.>> Bill: Williams shares three types of financial guilt and how to address them. <<Image: Bill puts up three fingers..>>

Guilt from overspending.Feeling regretful about splurging on something you want but can’t afford. <<Image: Patron surrounded by multiple shopping bags.>> How to deal: First, acknowledge you’ve made a mistake, but don’t make sweeping judgments about yourself, Williams says. Patron: Just because I spent $100 on dinner doesn’t mean I’m a bad person. I had a great night with my friends. <<Image: Bill gives Patron a thumbs up.>>

Then, work on your “guilt-free budget,” Williams says. Ask yourself: What do I value? And set aside money for those things. <<image: Patron working on a budget spreadsheet on the computer.>> Yes! Spend more here! <<Image: Traveling, movies with your friends, sessions with your cat psychic!>> No! Spend less here! <<Image: Clothes you’ll wear for a week, bougie dinners 3x a month, the subscription juice cleanse your coworker is trying!>> You’ll feel more financially prepared and less guilty about spending on what matters to you, she says.

2. Guilt from unequal income in relationships Feeling uncomfortable that your partner is making more money than you, or vice versa Patron: I feel bad that you keep paying for things! Partner: I feel bad that I’m not paying for MORE things! <<Image: Patron talking to partner.>> How to deal: Talk it out, Williams says. Remind each other that everyone contributes differently to the household — and you are a team. “You take care of my mom, you take the kids to school and you figure out our meal plan every week.” “And you pay for plenty. I like to contribute where I can.” Bill: Of course this approach will only work if you DO feel like they’re pulling their weight … but if not, that’s worth a conversation too. <<Image: Couple looking happy and connected. Bill in the corner with interjection.>>

3. Guilt from not spending more on others How to deal: First ask yourself where the guilt is coming from, Williams says. Who do you feel financially obligated to? Are you in a position to help them? What can you reasonably offer? Feeling bad for spending money on yourself instead of those in need <<Image: Person overthinking about their mom.>> Then, make a plan. Decide how much you want to give them, and be clear with yourself about what the limits are. Maybe it’s a set sum that you’re sending your mom every month, a recurring donation to a cause that’s important to you, or a contribution to your nephew’s future college fund. <<Image: Person writing out a budget plan on paper.>>

Also try to remember that people who care about you will want you to enjoy the money you’ve earned, not feel guilty that you’re doing well, she says. Bill: I'm just a bill. Yes, I'm only a bill. Lauryn Williams is right.. Don’t pin your self worth on me! I’m just a little guy. Patron: I know buddy. <<Image: Bill and Patron walking off into the sunset.>>

The comic was edited by Malaka Gharib and CJ Riculan. The producer of the episode is Clare Marie Schneider. We’d love to hear from you. Leave us a voicemail at 202-216-9823, or email us at LifeKit@npr.org.

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