upworthy

money advice

Culture

Financially successful people who grew up poor share the 'cheap' money habits they still use

"Still comparing prices on everything even if I can afford both."

Image via Canva

People who grew up poor but found financial success share their "cheap" money habits.

People who grew up poor belong to a unique club. They can fully understand each other's childhood experiences regarding money and financial hardships. Even when money is flowing and available in the present day, past financial experiences can still impact their current money habits.

In a Reddit subforum of people discussing their experiences growing up poor, member Civil-Awareness posed the question: "People who grew up poor but now have money what cheap habit do you still can't shake?"

Many people who grew up poor opened up about how their childhoods continue to impact their spending habits. These are 22 of their relatable responses.

 thrifty, thrift, saving money, frugal, money habits Leah Remini Budget GIF by TV Land  Giphy  

"Still comparing prices on everything even if I can afford both." —CheekyClair

"I always feel a twinge of guilt buying something that wasn't on the list, especially if it's not something we necessarily need or a name brand." —pippintook24

"I still wear clothes until they're literally falling apart instead of buying new ones when I should." —jcf1211

"I still turn off every light the second I leave a room, can’t help it, it’s wired into me." —michaelmorgan297

 turn off lights, lights, save energy, light switch, electricity Turn On GIF by Alexis Tapia  Giphy  

"Using plastic grocery bags as trash can liners." —chichiski

"Buying reduced price short date food." —Unique-Demand-9954

"We still eat Kraft dinners, we just eat more. Oh and have fancy Dijon ketchup with them." —ouzo84•6h ago

 kraft, kraft dinner, mac and cheese, kraft gif, mac and cheese gif Loop Falling GIF by JOSH HILL  Giphy  

"I still have to justify my purchases. My wife absolutely hates it, but if I can’t truly justify a ‘want’ purchase, I don’t do it. IE, we are at the mall and I see a shirt I really like, I will debate on it, stew on it, thinking I already have X # of shirts, do I really need this? What makes it better than my other shirts? Is the quality better? Does its color go better with my other pants? Does it fit better? Often the answer is no but I’ve spent 20 minutes pacing in the mall window shopping with my wife debating on a $30 shirt that I don’t buy. As an example." —AmericanMeltdown

"I still eat 'poor meals' and enjoy them." —j0nny5iv3

 old car, bad car, crap car, car, car gif Old Car GIF by ABC Network  Giphy  

"Keep a sh*t car." —Own-Load-7041

"I won't leave food on my plate. This really doesn't help with weight control but when you grow up knowing if you don't eat it, that's money wasted, it's a really hard habit to break." —HNot

"I use stuff until it breaks. I have more than enough money to buy a new TV but I'm still using my dads old tv from 20 Years ago. It has HD, 40'' and is a flat screen. No reason to change it even tho I often want a better one." —Gnomax

"Hoarding condiment packets from restaurants like they're precious treasure. Old habits die hard..." —TheLordMyDog

 condiments, condiment, condiment packet, condiment packets, packet condiment Too Much Cooking GIF by CBC  Giphy  

"Adding water to my shampoo, conditioner, soap, etc. to get the last little bit out." —NolinNa

"Eating leftovers for days." —truefan31

"Buying generic everything at the grocery store even though I can afford name brands now." —high_kew

"Keeping everything bc what if I need it." —Constantdehydration

 keeping things, stuff, keep stuff, maire kondo, clutter Max Greenfield Comedy GIF by CBS  Giphy  

"Looking at price tags before items. I’m trying to look at items first, but sometimes I can’t help it." —TropicalTrainwreck

"I thrift almost all of my clothing. It feels dumb to blow $$ on brands." —sweetnothings94

 thrifting, thrift, thrift shop, thrifting clothes, thrift gif National Thrift Shop Day GIF  Giphy  

"When the deodorant runs out, but you can still pop the plastic thing out and get the bits leftover and rub them into your pits." —midijunky

"When staying at a hotel that offers a breakfast buffet, I'll eat as much as I can, then assemble a lunch before I leave." —azninvasion2000

"Working two jobs. I have no real need to work either job, but psychologically, I can't kick the fear of not bringing in a stable income." —Ok-Telephone-605

From Your Site Articles
money habits
CultureJoy
Education

Expert in positive psychology reveals the 8 times 'money can absolutely buy happiness'

Science says money can in fact buy happiness. But there's a catch.

Photo credit: Canva

Because the solution isn't always forgoing the avocado toast.

The phrase “Money can’t buy you happiness” started as a way to remind folks that there’s more to life than meaningless material possessions. But as we all get a little older and wiser, we realize that money absolutely does contribute to a more comfortable and secure life, and while those things aren’t the sole determinant of happiness, they are undeniably huge factors.

Furthermore, experiences, relationships, personal fulfillment, and a sense of purpose—all major indicators of true happiness—can be enhanced by having financial resources.

In other words, as happiness expert Jessica Weiss wrote in her CNBC piece, “Money can absolutely buy happiness.” The problem is “we’ve just been spending it all wrong.”

In the article, Weiss cited the rather well known 2010 study which found that day-to-day happiness rose as annual income increased, up to $75,000 (though perhaps that number has increased to match inflation). Point being: up to a certain extent, larger incomes do, in fact, increase happiness.

And yet, it can be hard to feel like we are never ever making enough to truly feel happy. Or, we feel guilty about the seemingly frivolous purchases we do make. This is where Weiss’ list comes in. According to her, investing in these eight categories below “actually trigger that lasting and sustainable kind of happiness,” and “benefit your well-being in the long run.”

1. Live Music

money, happiness, how to be happier, 10% happier, money advice, how to invest, money and happiness, cnbcPeople enjoying a concert.Photo credit: Canva

No one who's been to a concert would argue this one. But as Weiss noted, it’s not just about watching performers take the stage. It’s equally about the physical act of singing with one another, which triggers a mood boosting, stress relieving phenomenon known as “collective effervescence.” Using this logic, a cheap night of karaoke or joining a choir group could also do the trick if you can’t necessarily justify concert tickets.

2. Novel Experiences

money, happiness, how to be happier, 10% happier, money advice, how to invest, money and happiness, cnbcA woman sipping coffee. Photo credit: Canva

Time and time again, experts agree that money is well spent on activities that create positive memories. This could range from a camping trip to, as Weiss writes, simply “painting your nails an unexpected color.”

In her book The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron similarly writes about “artist dates,” which are carved out moments each week dedicated to nourishing your inner creative being. They can be as lavish or as bare bones as you want. However, unlike Cameron, who urges folks to participate in artist dates alone, Weiss notes that engaging in novel experiences with friends or loved ones “supercharges the happiness effect.”

3. Purchases That Literally Buy You Back Some Time

money, happiness, how to be happier, 10% happier, money advice, how to invest, money and happiness, cnbcThree happy cleaners. Photo credit: Canva

Studies show that people with higher incomes experience more “time stress” than others, because they have a limited amount of time to achieve not only their work, but mundane chores and keep up with some semblance of a social life. But some purchases literally buy you some time back, whether that’s an Instant Pot for faster meals or a monthly house cleaning to finally dust off the shelves.

But it’s not just time-saving products which give you back some sanity. From a really good mattress to a well fitting bra (iykyk), certain splurges add so much ease and comfort to our lives that they are well worth the money.

4. Relationship-Boosters

money, happiness, how to be happier, 10% happier, money advice, how to invest, money and happiness, cnbcFriends enjoying a meal together. Photo credit: Canva

We are, after all, social creatures. No amount of capitalism is going to change that. In fact, as Weiss noted, our close relationships trump genetics, wealth, and even fame in terms of predicting our overall satisfaction.

And the great thing is, a simple potluck movie night or family hike can do the trick.

5. Acts of Generosity

money, happiness, how to be happier, 10% happier, money advice, how to invest, money and happiness, cnbcHappy volunteers at a charity event. Photo credit: Canva

A 2010 study reported by Utah State University found that people experienced happier moods when they gave more money away (as long as they had the choice of how much to give). Two years prior, a 2008 study in the journal Science found that those who engaged in “higher prosocial spending,” i.e., spending on others versus themselves, reported “significantly greater happiness.”

You can trust the science, or you can test the theory yourself. Donate to a cause that you’re passionate about, or treat your friend to dinner (a relationship booster and an act of generosity…win-win!), and see how you feel. Odds are you’ll feel pretty good.

6. Small Pleasures

Happiness doesn’t always need to come from big-ticket items. Rather than a lavish two week vacation, opt for a weekend getaway. Or, for the love of god, go ahead and buy a fancy latte without thinking this is the reason you can’t afford a home. As Weiss writes, these simple joys write the brain for "cumulative joy.” Plus, they’re certainly less stressful than expensive splurges.

7. Character building challenges

money, happiness, how to be happier, 10% happier, money advice, how to invest, money and happiness, cnbcA woman participating in a marathon.Photo credit: Canva

Novel experiences are great, but Weiss argues that physically or mentally challenging experiences (think cold plunges, hikes, competing in a marathon, learning new skills) offer a delayed, yet ever-so-satisfying “earned pleasure” of having overcome an obstacle, which increases confidence.

8. Big Plans

money, happiness, how to be happier, 10% happier, money advice, how to invest, money and happiness, cnbcA man making vacation plans. Photo credit: Canva

The great thing about committing to booking those vacation tickets is the joy of anticipating the upcoming reward, Weiss notes. “ Your vacation starts delivering happiness the moment you book it, months before you pack your bags,” she writes. This is a great reminder for those of us that procrastinate on actually committing to the trip due to sticker shock.

Bottom line, retail therapy tends to get a bad rap—and not without good reason, as we do live in a society that normalizes constant, mindless spending. But often, the material and experiential value of a purchase harmoniously meet in the middle, and thus impact our happiness in positive ways. Think of a fun clothing item you bought on vacation, that you then wear out to a friend’s dinner and share stories of procuring it, versus something trendy you bought and never wore.

Of course, many companies have long caught onto this idea and sell the promise of an experience with the purchase of their product. Hence why discernment is crucial. But if you’ve been chastising yourself over an event ticket here or a fancy new gadget there, remember that maybe you really are investing in yourself…which is always a worthy investment.

From Your Site Articles
money
EducationEducation & Information
Trending Stories