The rush of a big commission check feels incredible. Suddenly, you’ve got more money in your account than ever before.

The temptation? Spend it.

New truck, fancy dinners, maybe even a vacation you didn’t plan.

But here’s the truth—overspending after a big payday is the fastest way to stay broke no matter how much you earn.

I’ve seen reps cash $20k checks and be broke in a month. I’ve also seen reps use the same check to buy freedom, security, and wealth. The difference isn’t the amount of money—it’s the plan.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• Why commission checks make you more likely to overspend
• The hidden dangers of blowing through big paydays
• Proven strategies to protect your money
• Smart ways to celebrate without wrecking your finances
• A step-by-step system for handling every commission check

Why Commission Income Leads to Overspending

There's something about landing a fat commission check that just messes with your brain. I call it the "lottery effect" – when you see $15,000 hit your account after closing a commercial job, your first thought isn't usually "let me allocate this responsibly."

It's more like "I deserve that truck upgrade" or "finally time to book that trip."

Irregular income creates this weird illusion of abundance. You forget about the three weeks you barely made anything because right now, in this moment, you feel rich.

And honestly, I'm pretty good at staying focused on my goals, but being in a competitive team environment with high income producing people who like to show off what they spend still presents temptations.

When your buddy rolls up in a new Corvette or posts pictures from Cabo, it's hard not to feel like you're missing out.

The absolute worst mental trap? Telling yourself "I'll just make more next month." Maybe you will, maybe you won't. Roofing sales doesn't come with guarantees, and that mindset has buried more reps than I can count.

The Dangers of Overspending After a Big Commission Check

Let me paint you a picture of what happens when you blow through every commission check without a plan.

First, you've got no savings to cover slow seasons. Winter hits, leads dry up, and suddenly you're sweating because rent's due and your checking account is looking scary.

Then you fall behind on quarterly taxes because you spent that money on a boat instead of setting it aside. The IRS doesn't care about your excuses, by the way.

Lifestyle creep is the silent killer. Your expenses rise permanently to match your best months, but your income doesn't stay there consistently. Now you need $8,000 a month just to survive instead of $4,000, and the pressure never stops.

You're also missing massive opportunities to invest and build actual wealth. Every dollar you waste on depreciating assets is a dollar that could've been working for you in real estate or retirement accounts.

And here's what nobody talks about – the stress and regret when money runs dry is absolutely soul-crushing. I've watched grown men nearly lose their families over this cycle.

Proven Strategies to Avoid Overspending

The secret isn't willpower – it's systems. You need a percentage system that tells every dollar where to go before you even think about spending.

Here's what works: automate transfers the day your check clears. Don't wait, don't think about it, just set up automatic transfers to your different accounts.

This is where the F.E.A.S.T. System comes in – it details exactly how to manage your money with specific percentages for taxes, savings, investing, and spending.

Bank accounts have basically taken the place of the old envelope system. Instead of cash in envelopes, you've got separate checking accounts for different purposes. One for taxes, one for investing, one for bills, one for spending.

When your spending account is empty, you're done spending.

The 7-day rule has saved me thousands. When you want to make a big purchase, wait seven days. If it's really expensive, wait 30 days.

Half the time you'll realize you didn't actually want it that bad.

For smaller stuff, I still track for discretionary spending like eating out or entertainment in my PFM software – when the limit is hit, it's done.

Smarter Ways to Celebrate Big Commission Checks

You absolutely should celebrate your wins – just do it smart.

Now that I've gotten into my 30s, I realize how little "stuff" brings value to me. That new gadget or pair of shoes? The excitement lasts maybe a week. But experiences? Those stick with you forever.

I'd rather spend money on memories than junk that'll end up in my garage.

I'm a huge believer in having a "blow account" where you can spend guilt-free, but keep it small – I do 5%.

I know that sounds tiny, but check this out: with just that 5%, I was able to take my wife snowboarding in Lake Tahoe, a weekend trip to San Diego, take the family to Cozumel for my birthday, and take my wife to NYC for a Tony Robbins seminar all in one year.

And I still donated $10K to charity and put $100K toward the mortgage that same year.

When you spend money on personal growth like courses, books, or coaching, that's an investment that pays dividends.

And celebrating with people who actually support your financial goals instead of trying to keep up with the flashy spenders? Game changer.

Set aside that fun money without guilt, but keep it reasonable. You can live an incredible life without blowing every commission check on liabilities that lose value the second you buy them.

Step-by-Step System for Handling Every Commission Check

Here's the exact process I follow every single time a commission hits my account, and it's kept me out of trouble for years.

Step 1: Separate taxes immediately. Move 25-30% straight to a dedicated tax account that you don't touch. The IRS will come for their money eventually, so act like it's already gone.

Step 2: Allocate percentages for everything else – savings, investing, and lifestyle. Your personal split could be roughly 20% savings/emergency fund, 20% investing (real estate and retirement), and the remainder for bills and living expenses.

Step 3: Attack high-interest debt if you've got it, or build your emergency fund to 3-6 months of expenses minimum. This is your financial foundation, and you can't skip it.

Step 4: Automate your long-term investing so you're consistently building wealth without having to think about it. Set it and forget it – this is how you actually get ahead.

Step 5: Spend what's left guilt-free. Once you've handled everything else, enjoy your money. You earned it, you allocated responsibly, now live your life.

The key is doing this every single time, not just when you feel like it. Discipline beats motivation every time.

A big commission check can either be your biggest blessing or your biggest trap. Overspending feels good in the moment but leaves you stuck in the same cycle.

A smart system ensures you enjoy the present while building a better future.

Next time you land that big check, don’t let it slip away. Save some, invest some, enjoy some—and watch your money work for you.

Start with your next commission: decide your percentages now and stick to them.