Any poor people out there will know that you’ll do anything you can to tighten your belts when money’s a bit tight. In fact, it’s something you can see in your everyday choices. Here are 13 common signs of someone who’s trying to stretch their dollars. Of course, there’s no judgment here—-who hasn’t looked for ways to save a buck before? If you’re short on funds, it’s not that you’re choosing to do these things – you have to.
Featured Image Credit: Pexels.
Clipping and Using Coupons
You might have seen your neighbor or friend at the checkout line with a stack of coupons but it’s not because they’re trying to save a few cents. It’s a real strategy to keep the grocery bills down. Of course, it takes some time to find these deals & organize them but they’re kinda desperate to make some serious savings every month.
Opting for Store Brands
A person’s grocery cart can tell you a lot about them. Notice a lot of store-brand items? That’s a classic sign that they’re trying to save money because store brands are usually cheaper than their well-known versions. Someone who doesn’t have the luxury of buying branded items doesn’t usually care if store-brands don’t work or taste the same. They just want the less-expensive version.
Skipping the Morning Coffee Run
Coffee lovers know how hard it is to pass by their favorite shop without stopping in. However, poorer people will stick to making coffee at home because they want to save some cash. They don’t have the cash to spend on the simple luxury of buying a cup of joe instead of making it from scratch.
Carpooling or Using Public Transit
Since gas & car maintenance are so pricey, sharing rides has become the norm and you’ll see plenty of people carpooling instead. Even using public transit can really help keep those costs under control. Unfortunately, this means that some people are restricted by bus and train schedules – even in cases of emergency.
Cutting Cable Services
A lot of people are cutting back on cable these days and not simply because they’ve found better shows on streaming services. In fact, ditching cable can drop your monthly bills by quite a bit. There are plenty of cheaper or even free options out there so it makes a lot of sense to pay only for what you actually watch.
Frequent Use of Community Services
When times get tough, community resources like food banks or free local events are a big help for those in need. These services are there to support people in saving money & accessing necessities. Relying on the community instead of yourself is a huge sign of people who are trying to stretch every day.
Thrift Shopping
Buying second-hand has become pretty trendy, although for some people it’s just economical. They don’t care that much if someone has already worn that piece of clothing or if the furniture’s busted. Instead, they want to make the most of their money and will sometimes settle for lower-quality goods.
DIY Home Repairs
If you have a leaky faucet or a hole in the wall then paying someone to fix it can get expensive. That’s why many poorer people will try to do these jobs themselves. Sure, it requires some tools & patience but learning these skills is a lot cheaper for them. They simply can’t afford to get someone in.
Delaying Major Purchases
It’s natural to hold off on buying the latest smartphone but sometimes it’s because people have to be mindful about their spending. Instead, they’ll wait for sales or save up so they can avoid putting big purchases on credit. They’re not choosing to do so—it’s a necessity because they haven’t got enough to spend.
Keeping Older Vehicles Longer
When you see a car that’s been on the road for a while, that’s a clear sign of someone who may not be balling. New cars are quite expensive and that means keeping an older model running for as long as possible seems far more practical to a poor person. Forget about newer cars having better fuel efficiency—poorer people can’t dream that far ahead.
Hand-Me-Downs for Kids
Kids grow like weeds so buying new clothes every season is hardly cost-effective. That’s why hand-me-downs are a go-to for many parents—it saves money and most kids often don’t mind. They might not even notice! Instead of passing down wealth, financially challenged people will pass down stories by teaching their children about the family history of each piece.
Home Cooking Over Eating Out
Cooking at home is way cheaper than eating out. As such, when people start turning to their kitchens more, it’s a sign they’re trimming the fat from their budget. They understand that it’s a lot easier to visit a restaurant & have someone else do the cooking—but it’s a luxury that they simply can’t afford.
Budgeting Apps and Tools
Finally, using a budgeting app or a finance tool may seem common sense to some but for others, it helps them to get serious about managing their money. They meticulously track every expense because they need to know exactly how much is going in & out each month. Buying something at the till without checking your account before and after? That’s impossible for poorer people.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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