Growing up lower middle class taught me lessons that money can’t buy. These ten habits shaped who I am, and no amount of success will ever make me forget them.
There’s something about growing up lower middle class that leaves a mark on you.
It shapes the way you think about money, food, work, and even comfort. You don’t just see the world differently. You feel it differently.
When you’ve lived with just enough to get by but not enough to relax, you learn habits that stick. Some people call it “scarcity mindset.” I call it practical wisdom.
Here are ten habits that have followed me into adulthood, and honestly, I’m glad they did.
1) I use everything to the last drop
I don’t care if it’s toothpaste, olive oil, or face cream. I’ll squeeze, scrape, and shake that bottle until it’s absolutely empty.
Growing up, there was no such thing as waste. If we had leftovers, they became lunch. If a jar was almost done, someone always knew how to stretch it for one more meal.
Even today, when I can afford to replace things easily, that instinct to make the most of what I have hasn’t left.
And you know what? It’s not just about saving money. It’s about appreciation.
There’s a quiet satisfaction in using something fully and knowing nothing went to waste.
2) I always check prices, even when I don’t need to
When I walk into a store, my eyes automatically scan for the price tag before I even look at the product.
It’s muscle memory at this point. Growing up, every purchase had to be justified. My parents would compare prices like it was an Olympic sport.
Now, even though I can afford nicer things, I still check the price. Not because I can’t buy it, but because I want to know what it’s worth.
That awareness has saved me countless times from impulsive or ego-driven purchases.
It’s taught me that value doesn’t always equal price. Sometimes the twenty-dollar item outperforms the two-hundred-dollar one.
3) I cook more often than I eat out
Food was, and still is, a big part of my life.
But back then, eating out was reserved for special occasions like birthdays, graduations, maybe a family celebration once or twice a year. Most of the time, we cooked.
Now, even though I’ve worked in luxury F&B and have eaten in some of the best restaurants in the world, I still prefer home-cooked meals.
There’s something grounding about chopping vegetables, tasting as you go, and sharing food you made yourself.
Cooking at home keeps me creative, grateful, and connected to what I eat. It’s not just cheaper. It’s more human.
4) I keep “just in case” items
If you grew up lower middle class, you know exactly what I mean.
That drawer full of spare batteries, half-broken pens, and old cords isn’t clutter. It’s insurance.
We didn’t throw things away because you never know when you’ll need them. And honestly, that mindset has saved me more times than I can count.
Yes, I’ve learned to declutter and not hoard, but I still believe in having backups.
Extra light bulbs, paper towels, or an emergency snack stash. Life happens, and being prepared never hurts.
5) I take care of what I own
When something broke in our house, the first question wasn’t “who can we call?” It was “can we fix it?”
That mentality has stuck with me. I clean my shoes, sharpen my knives, and maintain my gadgets.
It’s not about being cheap. It’s about respect.
When you’ve worked hard for what you have, you don’t treat it as disposable. You maintain it so it lasts.
And in a world built on fast everything like fast fashion, fast tech, and fast food, that kind of patience is almost rebellious.
6) I compare options before making decisions
Growing up, decision-making always involved weighing options.
My mom would stand in the grocery aisle comparing two brands of cereal for five minutes, doing mental math to figure out which was the better deal per ounce.
Today, that habit shows up in every area of my life. I research before I buy, plan before I act, and think twice before saying yes.
It doesn’t mean I’m slow or indecisive. It means I value thoughtfulness.
The same mindset that saved us money back then now saves me time, energy, and regret.
7) I never assume money will always come in
When you’ve seen money come and go, you learn to respect its volatility.
Even during my best-paying years working in luxury hospitality, I never felt totally comfortable spending freely. Not because I was scared, but because I understood how fast things can change.
That awareness is what pushed me to build multiple income streams later on. To save. To invest. To have a plan B.
You don’t have to be paranoid to be prepared. And honestly, the security that comes from living below your means feels a lot better than the thrill of spending beyond them.
8) I find joy in small upgrades
When you grow up without much, even a small improvement feels luxurious.
I still remember the first time we got a flat-screen TV. It wasn’t huge, but it felt like the future.
That same feeling sticks with me today. Whether it’s buying better coffee beans, upgrading my pillow, or getting a slightly nicer bottle of wine, I still feel grateful every time.
You don’t need extravagance to feel rich. You just need perspective. The trick is to never let comfort make you numb to gratitude.
9) I don’t chase labels
In my twenties, working in high-end restaurants, I saw both sides of the luxury world. On one side were guests who bought expensive things to show off.
On the other were chefs and sommeliers who understood that true quality often hides in simplicity.
That’s the side I gravitated toward.
Growing up lower middle class taught me that status doesn’t define taste. You don’t need designer sneakers to have style or a five-star restaurant to enjoy great food.
What matters more is the feeling something gives you. If it brings you joy and meaning, it’s luxury enough.
10) I always remember where I came from
Lastly, and maybe most importantly, I don’t take any of it for granted.
The work I do, the food I eat, the life I’ve built, all of it sits on a foundation of those early lessons.
I remember watching my parents stretch a paycheck, make a dollar do the work of five, and still find ways to laugh through it.
That kind of resilience doesn’t fade with time. It shapes you.
It reminds you that success isn’t about escaping your past. It’s about carrying forward what made you strong.
The bottom line
Growing up lower middle class taught me lessons I couldn’t have learned any other way.
It taught me how to appreciate the simple things, make smart choices, and stay grounded no matter how far I climb.
Sure, I could unlearn some of these habits, but why would I want to?
They’re part of what keeps me real, humble, and grateful. They remind me that while money can buy comfort, it can’t buy character.
And if I ever forget that, I just open the fridge, look at the leftovers waiting to be reheated, and smile. Some habits aren’t meant to be outgrown.
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