18 Habits That Keep Me Feeling Broke

Because Who Doesn’t Love Staying Broke and Stressed?

There was a time in my life when my bank account mirrored how I felt inside: empty, overwhelmed, and stuck.

Your finances have a sneaky way of shaping your mood and self-worth.

Looking back, I realize some habits made me feel even broker than I was—and they might be keeping you stuck too.

Let me share my journey and the eye-opening behaviors I had to confront.

1. Neglect Your Hygiene—Feel Cheap Inside and Out

Nothing screams "I'm not thriving" like skipping a toothbrush session. When I stopped prioritizing personal care, it wasn’t just my teeth that suffered—it was my confidence too.

2. Forget Meditation—Stress Is Free, Right?

Meditating felt like a luxury I couldn’t afford. But living in constant chaos? That cost me peace of mind—and money too.

3. Fast Food Feeds More Than Hunger (Hint: Your Bank Account)

I thought a dollar menu was my budget’s best friend. But greasy meals left me tired, unhealthy, and spending more in the long run.

4. Ask Your Parents for Money Past 26—It’s Awkward AND Expensive

There’s no shame in asking for help, but relying on parents past a certain age drained more than just my pride—it stalled my independence.

5. Swipe Until It Hurts—Overdraft Fees Are Your Silent Saboteur

Nothing stung more than logging into my account to find overdraft fees piled up. Using my debit card carelessly was a vicious cycle I had to break.

6. Ignore Savings—Because Emergencies Never Happen, Right?

Living paycheck to paycheck felt normal until life threw a curveball. I learned the hard way: saving isn’t optional; it’s survival.

7. Max Out Your Credit Cards—Retail Therapy Will Heal Everything (Or Will It?)

When I wanted to feel better, I shopped. And shopped. But my credit card bill came back to haunt me every single month.

8. Party Hard, Feel Empty

Every invite felt like a "yes." I didn’t realize the real cost of late nights, endless rounds of drinks, and pretending to be someone I wasn’t.

9. Be the "Generous Friend"—Even When You Can’t Afford It

I loved treating friends to drinks and dinners, but being the "yes" person to every bill left me broke and resentful.

10. Shop, Wear, Return—The Hidden Cost of a One-Time Look

I thought I was gaming the system by returning clothes after wearing them. Turns out I was fooling myself—and risking getting banned.

11. Sleep in Your Car—Because That’s “Saving Money”

Skipping a safe place to stay felt like a sacrifice I had to make. But the toll on my physical and mental health wasn’t worth it.

12. Skip the Tip—It’s Not as Free as You Think

Cutting corners at restaurants didn’t save me much. Instead, it made me feel cheap and ungrateful.

13. Fake It on Instagram—When You’re Losing in Real Life

I curated the perfect life online while quietly struggling. Pretending to be rich never made me feel better—it just added pressure to keep up appearances.

14. Cheat the Soda Fountain—A Dollar Saved, But At What Cost?

I thought I was clever filling a water cup with soda. But little acts of dishonesty were a reflection of how I saw myself.

15. Thanksgiving Hopping—Take Without Giving

Going from house to house without contributing left me full of food—but empty of gratitude.

16. Hitch Rides—And Lose Control of Your Life

Relying on friends for transportation saved me gas money but cost me freedom and respect.

17. Overdrink—Alcohol, Hangovers, and Zero Productivity

Too many nights spent drinking left me hungover, broke, and wondering why I couldn’t get ahead.

18. Wait for a Job to Find You—Spoiler Alert: It Won’t

I kept hoping for opportunities to magically appear. But dreams without action? That’s just wishful thinking.

Feel Rich, Act Rich, Be Rich

Your relationship with money begins with how you treat yourself.

Start by breaking these habits, prioritizing self-care, and making intentional choices. Care for your mind, body, and bank account like they’re priceless—because they are.

Today, I'm not perfect with money, but I'm intentional.

I've learned that real wealth isn't about looking rich on Instagram—it's about sleeping well at night knowing you're making choices aligned with your values.

It’s not just about having money—it’s about feeling worthy of it. When you feel rich inside, the rest will follow.