You know you were raised thrifty if you still display these 5 shopping habits

1. You automatically check the unit price on everything

While other shoppers grab the first box of cereal they see, are you doing quick math to figure out whether the 18-ounce box is actually cheaper per ounce than the family size?

This habit probably comes straight from parents who taught you that bigger doesn't always mean better value. They likely walked you through the grocery store pointing out how companies try to trick you with packaging.

Now you find yourself explaining to friends why the "bulk" pack of paper towels is actually more expensive per sheet, or why that tiny bottle of olive oil is the better deal.

You've become that person who pulls out their phone calculator in the shampoo aisle.

2. You always shop the clearance section first

This comes from growing up in a household where clearance shopping wasn't just smart—it was sport. Your parents probably planned entire shopping trips around markdowns, teaching you that patience pays off and there's no shame in buying last season's whatever if it works just fine.

Today, you feel a genuine rush when you find exactly what you needed marked down 70%. Your friends might tease you about your "treasure hunting," but you've scored designer jeans for $12 and kitchen appliances that work perfectly well despite being last year's model.

Sure, sometimes you buy things just because they're cheap, but more often than not, you walk away with quality items at a fraction of the cost while everyone else pays full price.

3. You feel guilty buying anything at full price

That moment of hesitation at the checkout counter is real. Even when you can afford something and genuinely need it, paying the sticker price feels like you're doing it wrong somehow.

This guilt stems from growing up hearing phrases like "we'll wait for it to go on sale" or "let's see if we can find it cheaper somewhere else." Your parents likely instilled the belief that paying full price meant you weren't being smart about money.

Now you find yourself apologizing to cashiers for not having a coupon, or explaining to your partner why you need to "think about it" before buying that $30 sweater you actually love. You've probably left stores empty-handed more times than you can count, only to return weeks later when the item finally goes on sale.

The funny thing is, this habit often saves you from impulse purchases and helps you make more thoughtful buying decisions, even if it drives your less thrifty friends crazy.

4. You research purchases obsessively before buying

A simple purchase like a toaster becomes a three-day research project. You read reviews, compare features, check multiple retailers, and probably have at least five browser tabs open before making any decision over $20.

Now you're the person friends consult before making big purchases because you somehow know which vacuum cleaner models have motor issues and which phone cases actually protect against drops. You've bookmarked comparison sites and can recite Consumer Reports findings from memory.

Sound familiar? 

Sure, your decision-making process might drive salespeople crazy, but you rarely buy anything you end up regretting. While others deal with buyer's remorse, you sleep peacefully knowing you made an informed choice.

5. You see luxury brands as a waste of money

Last but not least, here's one you probably expected. 

This mindset comes from parents who taught you to focus on function over flash. They probably pointed out that fancy labels don't make products work better, and that smart people don't fall for marketing tricks designed to separate them from their money.

This thinking has real backing, too. For instance, according to Experian Automotive, 61% of households earning over $250,000 don't drive luxury brands—they drive Hondas, Toyotas, and Fords.

Turns out, many very wealthy people think exactly like you do!

The bottom line

If you recognized yourself in most of these habits, you're almost certainly carrying forward the lessons of a thrifty upbringing—and that's not a bad thing.

Sure, some of these behaviors might seem excessive or outdated to friends who grew up differently. But the reality is, these ingrained habits have probably saved you thousands of dollars over the years and kept you from falling into the consumer debt trap that catches so many people.

The trick is finding balance. Your thrifty instincts are valuable tools, but they shouldn't control your life or prevent you from enjoying reasonable purchases that bring you joy.