1. They choose to pay for booze over food
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This seems like a no-brainer choice, especially because you're all in your twenties, and hangovers don't demand the world's amount of carbs the following day. Alcohol is typically far more affordable than getting groceries or eating out, and most people drink while out socializing. It's much more appealing to drink tequila with friends than to cook bland pasta alone in their apartment.
2. They always date within the neighborhood reach
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In other words, it's game over if they enter the address or the time location into Google Maps, and it suggests they drive, take an Uber, or public transportation. They limit the Tinder radius immediately! For many poor people, transportation expenditures for non-essentials like dating are among the first things to go.
3. Or stop dating completely
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You see, dating is expensive. It costs a lot to go out to dine, drink, see a movie, buy clothes, and wear makeup or new clothes. And they have to keep doing this because, let's face it, the likelihood of finding a terrific match on the first try is really remote. So, if your friend stopped dating and keeps your outings at a minimum, they are likely having a hard time with their finances.
4. Their commute to work takes them an insane amount of time
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Though it may seem unimportant, time is money; thus, it is crucial. We all have that friend in our groups that takes two hours to get to work and another two hours to get home. And even if they want to start a business or get a side hustle going, the time they lose on each commute takes too much of their day to allow them to do anything else.
5. They have trouble paying their debts
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That friend in your group is likely poor if paying their bills gives them the chills, and they're always thinking or talking about their debts. The fact that they feel so stressed that they need to make those payments no matter what they do is a telltale sign that they are experiencing financial troubles. Perhaps deep ones.
6. They are only buying the lowest-cost products they can find
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They see themselves as being frugal with their spending and saving their money. As a result, they are constantly searching for the less-expensive goods they can find. (However, we know that they end up paying twice as much for a regular item since they are unaware that such goods are not durable.)
7. They only eat fast food or frozen food
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If eating out or buying frozen foods is their main source of nutrition (not because they lack time to prepare meals, but rather because it is the cheapest alternative), your friend is most likely struggling financially. In addition to spending their money on junk, they might be eating items that are harmful to their health in the long term and making them sick, eventually costing them a significant portion of their income in medical expenses.
8. They have an addiction
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While this is not always the case, more often than not, finances are drained by addictions. No matter how affluent your friend is, if they have a drug, alcohol, women, or other addiction, including shopping, they probably only have money on paper. This is because while they currently have the resources to support their addiction, they will be left with nothing if they exalt it.
9. Their car is over 17 years old
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A car is not a sign of wealth, but if a friend in your group just cannot afford to buy a newer car and drives the old vehicle that probably belonged to their parents, they are likely struggling with their finances. Besides the fact that an older car needs a lot of daily maintenance, they likely visit the mechanic every few weeks, which also drains their funds.
10. They expect others (and the government) to help them
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If your friend's only hope for bettering their circumstances and way of living is the election of a new administration, they are likely impoverished. The truth is that only they have the power to improve their life. You know you're poor when you expect someone — in this case, the government — to solve your money problems.
11. They rely on loans to get by
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For instance, your friend is likely financially underprivileged if they got their car through a loan. A car is not making anyone money but is draining finances due to the gas it needs and maintenance, which shows that they are not setting aside enough money to live on. Many people are starving due to this ostentatious way of living and mindset.
12. They think that university is the only way to make it
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Don't get it wrong; while education is important, it is not the sole route to success. This misunderstanding has led to a large number of struggling, impoverished graduates in society today. Many struggle to finish college because they want to find a decent career afterward, but when there is no job, their ideal is dashed, and they wind up working for someone who left school to get experience.
13. They never fill their gas tanks full
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This is a well-known indicator of poverty. Simply put, when you're poor, you don't have enough money in your account to consistently fill the gas tank. If you're wealthy (or even middle class), you might not know what this is. Unlike your friend, you've never probably been forced to choose between buying groceries or gas.
14. They always play the lotto but never win
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It is generally accepted that poor people play the lotto much more frequently than wealthy people. The wealth and lifestyle coming with a large jackpot might bring are not things you need if you're rich. The lottery, however, seems to be your only option if you are stuck in poverty. Despite the awful odds, many people gamble because they despise their lives rather than because they actually believe they will win. Even a remote possibility that their lives might suddenly and magically change is all they need to keep playing.
15. They DIY everything. And I mean EVERYTHING
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Being resourceful is crucial when you don't have any money. Your friend needs to figure out how to make the more expensive products on a budget since they likely still want to have lovely things. Whether it's searching Craigslist for a piece of broken furniture and using inexpensive paint that they bought or borrowed from a friend, they are always finding a use for inexpensive plastic boxes, broken chairs, and other items.
16. They consider joining those shady clinical trials
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Those Instagram ads for medical trials suddenly appear to be really friendly for them, and they are actively considering joining them. What do you mean by getting $2,000 and spending a week at a facility with food and heating? They see it as a paid vacation. They might also regularly donate plasma, blood, and/or sperm just to earn some extra money.
17. They've done "questionable" things to pay their bills
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Okay, so it's still preferable to be partially clothed in public for profit than entirely exposed. They might have taken jobs that made them wear a particular T-shirt, appear somewhere (clothed or not), or made a decent day's pay by dressing up as a hot dog, giving out coupons, or doing something they don't want to share. Your modesty and shame kinda vanish when you have bills to pay.
18. Sometimes, they spend more on their pet's food than their own
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You might have noticed that your friend may not have much money, but their pet eats like a king. Their pet is one of the sole sources of serotonin in their entire life while also being a parasite that absolutely drains their bank account. However, they will go on and buy lamb chops with gravy for their furry friend, while they will only get water for dinner.
19. They're interested in free activities only
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When you're strapped for cash, you might go to Google for help, which sounds kind of like this: "free activities in my area." Trust me, people struggling financially still want to have fun and meet new people even though they don't have any money. It's always worthwhile to go and obtain what they can, whether it's a free workout in a green area or a sustainable clothing swap in the city.
20. They dread payday because of all the bills they need to pay
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Nothing is worse than receiving a bank notification that your paychecks have arrived in your account and realizing that you won't be able to spend or save any of it on the things you genuinely want to when you are literally living paycheck to paycheck. That's the hell many people struggling with their finances go through each month. So, if you know your friend does this, be kind to them and even help them if you can.
21. They never turn on the heating or AC in their home
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There is no way they are turning on the air conditioning or heating in their apartment unless it has snowed in or they are at risk of fainting from the heat. In the winter, if necessary, they will also dress in every layer they own and wander around wrapped in a blanket burrito. As with air conditioning: Perusing the local mall during the summer heat is like a cold nirvana.
22. They start reminding people about the money they own
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"Do you have the $10.50 I lent you? Yes, I will need that back." That's what financial struggle sounds like, so take it easy on your friend if they've done this to you or anyone in your group. Although the sum may seem insignificant, they are fully aware of the bills, grocery lists, and other expenses that will be paid with that money (and perhaps a bit more).
23. They started to cut bills they consider unnecessary
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How significant is water, really? Do you actually need renter's insurance? How difficult could it be when the Amish don't use electricity? Basically, it comes down to anything other than the WiFi for them. If your friend bid adieu to Netflix, regular beauty treatments, the gym, and other things they used to regularly do just because it costs money, they are likely in some financial trouble.
24. They start borrowing clothes from friends instead of buying new ones
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Clothes swapping is an option for those who don't have the means to buy new ones, especially if they have family or friends who are the same size as them and share their fashion preferences. The mindset behind this is that since it's new to the closet, it's basically like buying new clothing, except that there's no cost involved.
25. They try to go vegetarian or vegan to cut food costs
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Okay, so meat and fish are pricey, but how pricey could a carrot possibly be? Right, pizza is really a vegetable, no? Potatoes are baked fries, right? Going vegetarian is typically much less expensive unless you choose a particularly upscale health food option, so if your friend suddenly says they want to try to become vegetarian or vegan just to cut food costs, they could really use a hand. You can simply bring over food some days or gift them a meal via Uber Eats.
26. They talk about being broke... all the time
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They feel the need to constantly bring up how difficult their life is, just in case people are unaware of it. How is it possible that a subway fare has increased to $15? That is unethical and a clear attempt to keep poor people downtrodden! They find themselves relating to a lot of socialist rhetoric and become a little preachy about how everything is too costly, all the nice dive bars have closed, and landlords are tyrants.
27. Most of their friends are also broke
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They say that misery enjoys company, and well, broke people have each other at least. It's useful to have someone you can call and ask, "Do you want to buy $3 wine and sit in a dark, frigid apartment and gossip about people living Instagram fantasy lives in Dubai?" The soul finds comfort in it.
28. For them, an extra $20 is a big deal
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Some extra $20 means a lot when every cent counts. That $20 can really be put to a lot of use, such as enjoying a satisfying meal without feeling guilty or purchasing milk, bread, eggs, and other necessities. They might use it to help pay the power bill or, as we have discussed, to fill up their car with gas. $20 means a lot when you're broke.
29. Birthdays and holidays stress them out
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Growing up, birthdays and holidays were usually fun for many people, but because of the financial hard times, they were difficult for most parents. Your friend also knows that gifts can be pricey, and if they haven't prepared for them (which practically no one does), they'll mess with their money. Birthdays and holidays can cause many worries when you are broke and lack the flexibility to deal with those kinds of one-time costs.
30. They use anything past their useful life
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Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without it. If this is your friend, they are either exceedingly frugal or experiencing financial hardship. The art of using things until they truly break down — whether it's patching up clothing that has holes, fixing their own damaged items around the house, or reusing things so they last longer — is a reliable indicator that they may be poor.
31. They repair their clothes
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If you had a pair of jeans that got a hole in them, you might not think twice of throwing them out and buying a replacement pair. For a person with no money, that's easier said than done! You might have noticed your friend is constantly stitching up holes or re-soling their shoes.
32. They shop second hand
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In this day and age, shopping second hand can actually be a great choice for anybody - even if you can afford brand new - because it helps the environment and avoids fast fashion. But for some people, shopping in thrift stores or only ever buying second hand isn't a choice, because it's the only thing they can afford.
33. They only eat main meals
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Most people throughout the day might be snacking a lot, or grabbing a Starbucks coffee and muffin in the afternoon, buying the odd food product here and there around their breakfast, lunch and dinner. But this person might only eat their biggest meals - maybe even skip breakfast - so they're not spending extra money on those snacks.
34. They're never the first to suggest plans
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Your friend isn't going to feel comfortable with plans if they don't have a lot of money - because plans cost money! Even things that are free, it's inevitable you're going to spend a bit on travel or food and drink, even if not paying for a huge entrance fee. So they're never going to be the first one to suggest actually doing something.
35. They avoid group vacations
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Vacations cost money - that's the bottom line. But, worse than that, when you go on a big vacation with friends, spending can easily get out of control because everyone wants to do different things, or might suggest something that costs money that everyone else then wants to do - leaving the poor person having to pay for it, or being left out.
36. Or even weekend trips away
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A weekend trip might be cheaper than a two week vacation abroad, but that still doesn't mean that a weekend trip isn't expensive! Weekend trips still need to take into account travel costs (gas or flights), food, drink and accommodation - even if they're being careful not to buy any souvenirs.
37. They're working hard for a promotion
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Your friend might also be taking the idea of a promotion very, very seriously because it usually means a pay rise. Even if they don't particularly like their job, they may be buckling down and putting in the extra hours to apply for a promotion they don't even want just to get more in their paycheck!
38. They have a second job (or maybe even a third!)
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People struggling for money usually do look for a second form of income, either to bump up their bank account balance or even as security if they feel like they might lose their main job. Depending how many hours they have free, they might be working multiple jobs to pay the bills.
39. They're always selling stuff on eBay
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eBay is a great place to make extra cash if you want to sell things you don't want, and you don't have to be poor to want to do it - but for a person needing money, they might be desperately trying to sell the majority of their possessions, like their DVD collection, just to make some extra cash.
40. They never tip
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Tipping will add an extra amount onto a bill, which might not seem like much money to someone who's not even worrying about it, but it can seem like an awful lot to someone who was struggling to pay for the meal in the first place. Even an extra few dollars in tips can be an extra few dollars less in their pocket!
41. They make it clear they're not splitting the bill
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When a group of friends go out, it's no uncommon for everyone to just agree to split the bill evenly if you're all pretty much getting the same thing. But for a friend without a lot of money, this can mean they end up paying more than they usually would because they're paying for more than what they're rightfully eating.
42. And then they only order salad and water
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Case in point being they're likely going to order the cheapest thing on the menu, or anything they can get for free - like tap water. This keeps them in control of their own spending, and makes it likely they'll refuse a starter or dessert. So if they're splitting the bill between a group ordering three courses and lots of drinks, they're not going to like that!
43. They might have lost weight
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Someone who is trying to save money isn't going to be able to afford fancy meals, but it can be worse than that - they might be seriously cutting back even with what they're eating at home, so if they're living off instant noodles, it might be they lose weight from lack of calories.
44. They sold their car
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When you're poor but you happen to have a car - even if you need it to get from A to B - it can be the most logical choice in terms of what to sell if you need a big lump of cash! Cars can also be draining on the expenses over time, like with insurance and gas, so they may have made the decision to cut costs that way.
45. They might not even have a car!
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For the same reasons as above, they may not have been able to even get a car in the first place! Even if it's obvious they definitely need one to get around or commute to work, they might have no choice in the matter. A car means money and unexpected bills, which just doesn't work for them!
46. They want a pet, but won't get one
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Any pet owners knows if you're lacking in money, you're going to prioritize your pet's health and food over your own, because you just love them too much! But a person without a lot of money will likely not get a pet in the first place - even if they'd love one - because it costs too much.
47. They don't lend out money in the first place
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One time or another between friends, money will be borrowed and paid back, but this friend might never, ever lend money in the first place, even if it's only five dollars. They either don't have it to lend, or they're so worried about it not being paid back quickly enough, it's not worth the risk.
48. They've never offered to cover the cost of anything
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Friends grabbing coffee together or a quick bite might say, "Oh, I'll get this, don't worry!". Happily covering the entirety of the bill, while other friends might say they'll get the next one. Offering to cover the cost of a whole bill, even for a few coffees, is a no-go for a person without a lot of money!
49. You see them in the same clothes, ALL THE TIME
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Clothes can get seriously expensive - impulsive shopping is where most people rack up a credit card bill, after all. Are you seeing this friend in the same clothes they wore ten years ago, even if they don't fit properly anymore? It's likely they're not spending any money on new clothes.
50. They definitely don't use big brands
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Big brands, no matter whether it's clothes, cosmetics or household cleaning, can run up a big bill. You've never ever seen them wearing well known brands, using famous makeup brands or anything but the grocery store's own version of a product. They get things as cheap as possible.