10 Things Poor People Do That the Rich Don’t — How to Change Your Behavior and Change Your Life

Being born poor is a stroke of life’s luck—dying poor, however, is a choice. Let’s tackle 10 deeply-ingrained habits that hold people back and how to transform each one into success-driving behaviors. Ready for big change?

  1. Watching Too Much TV

    Poor mindset: binge on series and celebrity drama.
    Rich mindset: invest that time in books, coaching, skill-building, or networking.

  2. Waiting for Someone to Rescue Them

    Poor mindset: blame fate, pray for bailouts.
    Rich mindset: take full ownership—seek solutions, build assets, not liabilities.

  3. Sleeping Away Opportunities

    Poor mindset: late nights, missed mornings.
    Rich mindset: seize early hours, stay disciplined, yet well-rested for productivity.

  4. Having No Savings or Emergency Fund

    Poor mindset: no cushion when paychecks stop.
    Rich mindset: save consistently—aim for 15% or build buffers through side income.

  5. Succumbing to Lifestyle Inflation

    Poor mindset: raise lifestyle with every raise.
    Rich mindset: raise savings and investments as income rises.

  6. Using Debt for Wants, Not Assets

    Poor mindset: credit cards, TV, weddings—expenses balloon.
    Rich mindset: leverage debt to invest—real estate, business growth.

  7. Gossiping and Naysaying

    Poor mindset: focus on others’ failures.
    Rich mindset: focus inward—energy toward growth, not tearing others down.

  8. Poor Follow-through & Quitting Easily

    Poor mindset: ideas vanish at first obstacle.
    Rich mindset: embrace failure, persist until goals succeed.

  9. Praying Instead of Acting

    Poor mindset: wait for divine magic.
    Rich mindset: pray and proactively work—resumes, networking, skill-building.

  10. Being Comfortable in Comfort

    Poor mindset: resist change, cling to status quo.
    Rich mindset: welcome discomfort—learning, new challenges, growth situations.

Change Your Mindset — Change Your Life

Each of the points above reflect behaviors easy to fall into—but with awareness and intentional action, they can be reversed. Track your distractions, challenge your excuses, build cushions, and surround yourself with ambitious, ethical people.

Start Taking Action Today

Consistency beats perfection. Pick one habit—maybe curb TV time or start saving 5% this month—and build momentum. Small changes compound rapidly into massive financial shifts.

Disclaimer: This is not financial advice. Results vary based on individual effort and circumstances.

Related Posts