We often don't realize that our financial decisions are wrong. Many middle-class people spend money without thinking on things that look impressive, but in the end they only deplete their savings and prevent them from increasing their wealth.
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“One of the most harmful habits is spending more than you earn,” says Christopher William, CPA financial expert and founder of Balanced News Summary. “This is a common problem in the middle class because people often want to buy more than they can afford,” he explained.
William points out that this often results in large amounts of debt, making it difficult to save for retirement or other long-term investments. “Plus, if you consistently spend more than you earn, that cycle can be difficult to break.” Below is a list of things you shouldn't spend your money on if you're middle class but want to get rich.
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Student loans and other debt
Jonathan Merry, a financial expert at Moneyzine, warns that while we all know education is important, we also need to be careful. “I have observed the student loan crisis firsthand and find it alarming that financial institutions are handing out large loans to middle-class young people without fully understanding the nature of the loans. think.”
The important thing here is to avoid such huge debts while developing your professional skills. “Excessive loans and debt will hold back middle-class families, so try to manage your debt before taking on more and more debt,” Mary said.
On the topic of debt, Carter Seuss, CEO of Credit Summit Consolidation, said that many people in the middle class have large amounts of debt, whether it's student loans or credit card debt. He pointed out that there is a tendency to “If you don't stay on top of this, it can quickly get out of control and really drain your resources,” he said.
“For the middle class, I think one of the biggest expenses that prevents us from achieving better financial health is debt,” Sues continued. “When you focus your budget and financial efforts on paying down debt and moving forward without paying monthly interest, the task of climbing the financial ladder becomes much easier.”
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Membership and subscription
Merry said many of today's middle class members have memberships in many retail stores and subscriptions to all the online apps they need. “It may seem cheap, but these fees add up to a significant expense,” he continues, “For example, if you only use your $50/month gym subscription twice. , which works out to $25 per use. There may be more economical training options.”
He added that if you subscribe to multiple streaming platforms but only watch them occasionally, you may be spending too much on entertainment as well.
Investment in depreciable assets
Melly explains that many middle-class individuals invest in products that lose value over time. “In my opinion, making flashy purchases, perhaps to imitate the wealthy class, often misses the point.”
He added that while new purchases like cars are appealing, they are not always wise. A new car loses value the moment it leaves the dealership. “Smart shopping means considering options such as slightly older cars with low mileage that won't lose value quickly.”
Stephen Neely, CFP and financial advisor at Fortress Capital Advisors, shares a similar sentiment regarding asset depreciation. “Financial experts often criticize people for spending money on things like lattes and avocado toast, but the impact pales in comparison to a lifetime of buying expensive cars.”
Neely also notes that too many middle-class people buy expensive SUVs and trucks that cost $65,000 to $100,000, drive them for three to five years, and then trade them in when the value drops by 50% to 70%. I also noticed that I had to take it out and try again. Also. “Doing this instead of buying an affordable car like a Toyota He Corolla or a Honda He Accord could easily cost hundreds of thousands of dollars over 30 years, considering the opportunity cost of the investment.” there is.”
cover the costs of an adult child
Merry said one common mistake middle-class families make is caring for the living expenses of their adult children as they approach retirement. “Many middle-class parents fall into this trap,” he explains, “because they empathize with the struggles of their struggling adult children and want to help them.” He pointed out that it has a big impact on their savings.
“It's important that they learn financial independence rather than being dependent on you,” he advised. “It may be beneficial to discontinue funding your adult children and use the money to save for retirement. I always suggest that economic aid be discontinued.”
Overlooking the hidden costs of frugality
Percy Grunwald, financial expert and co-founder of Compare Banks, said that while frugality is an admirable quality, being too frugal can lead to missed opportunities. “In some cases, paying a little more upfront for a quality item or experience can save you money in the long run. For example, investing in energy-efficient appliances can reduce your long-term utility bills.” .”
live beyond your means
Lifestyle inflation is a major barrier to wealth accumulation for the middle class, said Denis Silshkov, financial expert and head of growth at Awning. “As individuals' incomes increase, their expenses tend to increase proportionately or disproportionately, which can impede their ability to save and invest effectively,” he said.
For example, a common misconception is that driving a luxury car or living in a bigger house means wealth. While these may be indicators of higher income, they do not necessarily lead to long-term wealth if you are financing with debt.
“Just because the bank has approved a certain amount, it doesn’t make financial sense to take out a larger mortgage,” Shirshkov said. “If you take out too much on your mortgage, you may be unable to invest in assets that increase in value over time or to build an emergency fund.”
succumb to social pressure
Silshkov warns that spending money on looks will ultimately be your downfall. “It's worth mentioning the emotional expenditure caused by the desire to keep up with peers and social pressures.”
In fact, he observed, the idea of ”keeping up with the Joneses” can be particularly harmful. “I remember one colleague who, despite earning a six-figure salary, had to keep an eye on his coworkers and neighbors and constantly upgrade his gadgets, vacations, and even his wardrobe. I was living paycheck to paycheck. This is an easy trap to fall into, but it has a long-term impact on wealth building.”
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This article was originally published on GOBankingRates.com: 7 things the middle class spends money on that hurt their chances of becoming rich
