People, you’re on a tight budget, even if you’re not. Let’s look at 18 less obvious habits that make people think you’re counting every penny.
Ignoring Home Repairs
If you ignore those little jobs around your house, like a dripping tap or a door that won’t close right, people might think you can’t afford the repair costs. Keeping your place looking good helps show people you’re financially on top of things. A small fix today will save you a big bill later.
DIY Repairs
Of course, even repairing your things can become an issue, as only doing DIY repairs tells people you’re strapped for cash. You shouldn’t always fix stuff yourself because people will think you’re trying to avoid the cost of new items. Pay for a proper fix or replace it because that can save you a lot more in the long run.
Breaking Down Payments
When you break down even the smallest purchases into a payment plan, you tell people you’re trying to stretch every dollar. Managing big payments like this makes sense, but doing it for everyday items isn’t so good. Do you really need to split that $20 grocery bill into monthly payments?
Carrying Lots of Small Bills
Anyone who has a wallet stuffed with more ones and quarters than twenties is probably someone who’s scraping every bit of cash together. It makes people think you’re overly cautious with your budget for the wrong reasons. They’ll start to think you’ve only got enough for the necessities.
Collecting Coupons
Clipping coupons is great, but only shopping with coupons? Not so much. If you can’t pass the checkout without using a discount code or twenty, people will think the full prices are just out of your reach. While saving is smart, you should balance it out sometimes to avoid looking like you belong on “Extreme Cheapskates.”
Outdated or Worn Clothes
We all have our favorite pair of old jeans, but that doesn’t mean our entire wardrobes should look like they’ve been through the wringer. Constantly wearing outdated or worn clothes suggests that new clothes are a luxury you can’t afford. You don’t necessarily have to look flashy, but you should look like you can and do update your wardrobe.
Borrowing but Not Lending
It’s okay to borrow things now and again, whether that’s money or tools, but you shouldn’t do it all the time. If you do, people will start to think you don’t have enough money to cover your needs, even making them wary of lending stuff to you. Make sure you share your stuff just as much as you borrow it.
Always on Overdraft
Nothing says “money troubles,” like constantly being in your overdraft because it means you’re not good at planning your own finances and costing you a lot more. It’s even worse if you keep getting overdraft notifications when you’re around other people. That’s pretty much a public announcement that your account is running on empty, which is never good.
Money on Your Mind
Don’t talk about your money problems all the time because that makes people think that’s all you’ve got going on. Of course, we all have financial rough patches sometimes, but that doesn’t mean it should be your only topic of conversation. Keep any discussions about money for private moments.
Skipping Out on Fun
Constantly saying “no” to nights out or fun activities will make people question how much money you have. It’s natural to avoid expensive events occasionally, but it suggests you’re broke when you’re always avoiding them. Suggest more budget-friendly activities instead because it’ll show people you’re still keen to hang out.
Old Tech Only
When you’re hanging onto an ancient laptop or a phone that’s five years outdated, it seems like updates are out of your budget. You don’t have to always buy the latest devices, but having reasonably current ones means you’ve got enough money. A little upgrade every so often will stop your devices from looking like museum pieces.
Refilling Mini Toiletries
It may seem economical to keep refilling those tiny bottles, but it makes it seem like you don’t have enough to buy the big ones. Plus, the cost of filling them over and over again actually adds up to a lot more than you think. Save up and buy big bottles in bulk, and you’ll get to keep that extra cash.
No Professional Service
It’s one thing to be resourceful; it’s another to avoid professional services all the time, like plumbing or haircuts. Avoiding this professional help comes across like you’re scrimping and suggests you’re cutting corners. Even spending a little now and then on professional services helps people know that you care about quality and reliability.
No Emergency Funds
You never know when disaster can strike; when it does, it usually drains your finances. If you cannot have an emergency fund to prepare for this, then it’s clear you’re living paycheck to paycheck. Set aside some money because it’ll stop you from looking desperate when the inevitable happens and give you peace of mind.
A Diet of Instant Noodles
As delicious as they might be, living off instant noodles is not a good idea. People will think you can’t afford anything else, and this kind of diet is also bad for your body. You can easily spice things up by adding some vegetables or eggs to make your meals and your budget a little healthier.
Hesitating at the Checkout
Hesitating at the checkout tells people you’re holding onto your cash a little too much. Of course, being aware of your expenses is important, but you might want to keep the careful budgeting to yourself. Check the prices of things as you shop and ensure you’re fine with them instead of delaying it all until the end.
Counting Every Cent
Similarly, fussing over the price of every item draws attention to your financial situation. You should try to make the whole process a little easier by using a card or doing a quick cash transaction. This way, everything looks and feels more relaxed, so people won’t think you’re hard-up for money.
Unpaid Bills
Overdue notices and final warnings stress everyone out, and they also tell other people that you’re drowning in debt. Even if you’re sorting things out, don’t let those unpaid bills sit in plain sight on the kitchen counter. Put them away in a drawer, or better yet, set up auto-pay so your finances stay private.
19 Grim Realities of Dating After 50 That Are Often Overlooked
19 Grim Realities of Dating After 50 That Are Often Overlooked
26 Things That Will Be Extinct Because Millennials Refuse to Buy Them
26 Things That Will Be Extinct Because Millennials Refuse to Buy Them
24 Outdated Slang Terms You Absolutely Shouldn’t Be Using Anymore
24 Outdated Slang Terms You Absolutely Shouldn’t Be Using Anymore
25 Hardest Parts About Getting Older That No One Ever Talks About
25 Hardest Parts About Getting Older That No One Ever Talks About
