When you live paycheck to paycheck and don’t have a lot of money in the bank, it’s natural to pinch every penny as hard as you can. But once you’re financially comfortable, it often makes sense to loosen your grip a little and upgrade your standard of living.
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However, Dave Ramsey expert George Kamel discovered a group of folks who are still acting like they’re broke, even though they now have wealth. He discussed the trend at length in a recent YouTube video.
No time to watch? GOBankingRates will share the highlights for you here.
15 ‘Broke’ Habits
BuzzFeed community members said that they stretch their dollars as far as they will go by:
- Washing and reusing sandwich and freezer bags.
- Cooking meals at home from scratch.
- Splitting a bottle of mouthwash into two separate containers and watering down both.
- Wearing underwear and T-shirts until they’re falling apart.
- Buying items used, like clothing or furniture.
- Asking themselves if they really need something before making a purchase.
- Refusing to buy a brand-new car.
- Attaching soap slivers to the new bar.
- Getting every bit of product from a container by cutting it open.
- Repairing items instead of replacing them.
- Making dinner with all of the leftovers in the fridge.
- Walking and biking everywhere.
- Cutting hair at home instead of going to a salon or barbershop.
- Washing and reusing glass jars.
- Keeping every cardboard box in case they have to move in a hurry.
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Which Habits Are Keepers?
Kamel encouraged financially stable viewers to give up scarcity-minded practices, such as:
- Washing and reusing sandwich and freezer bags
- Watering down mouthwash
- Wearing holey underwear
- Cutting open product containers
- Cooking with old leftovers
- Cutting your own hair
- Hoarding cardboard boxes
Doing those things could pose health or injury risks, lead to discomfort, result in a bad haircut or cause your garage to be overtaken by cardboard.
However, Kamel believes that some of these habits aren’t just appropriate for folks who are struggling financially. Some conditioned behaviors are really just frugality in action or good stewardship of resources.
Here’s what you may want to keep doing (or start if you haven’t already):
- Cooking your own meals from whole ingredients. You’ll save money and eat healthier.
- Shopping for used items (within reason — for example, shoes should probably be purchased new). You’ll get a bargain and help the environment.
- Questioning your purchases in advance. You’ll avoid impulse buys and can redirect the money toward something more productive or fulfilling.
- Repairing items when possible. Your efforts will be frugal and eco-conscious.
- Walking and biking to your destination (when practical). You won’t spend any money, and you’ll get great exercise.
So, what “broke” habits do you have? Are you ready to let any of them go or pick up new ones?
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 15 ‘Broke’ Habits That Even Rich People Have — and Which Are Worth It, According to This Ramsey Expert
