Here’s what they said:

1.

“I grew up what I call fake-poor.

We werent actually poor.

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“It feels like I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop, and I’ll end up just like my parents."

My parents didnt believe in spending money when Id just outgrow stuff in a year.

They could have bought a car that actually ran reliably; they just didnt want to.

u/canonhourglass

2.

A person holding an empty wallet open with both hands, indicating financial difficulty or lack of money. No text present

I don’t budget the rest, but I always have enough to spend on fun.”

u/suberry

3.

“Travelling and experiences is a big one for me.

A woman stands on a mountainous landscape, holding a camera and looking off into the distance. Clouds hover over the green peaks in the background

Traveling is like being transported to an alien planet sometimes, and I feel so alive.

Otherwise, its saving where I can and cooking most meals.”

u/Bebebaubles

4.

An elderly woman with short hair and glasses stands among potted plants, holding a teacup, wearing a light patterned top

“I’m not good with money at all.

I really need to be a lot more disciplined.

u/SteadfastEnd

5.

A woman reads a long receipt with a concerned expression, surrounded by coins, money, and notes at a table

“I grew up working class.

Most of my cousins (810 of them) have started home buying, and most earn six figures.

Not bad for a refugee extended family with no close relatives back in Asia.

A suburban single-story house with a front porch and well-maintained garden featuring various shrubs and trees. Blue sky with some clouds in the background

u/msing

6.

I have a 401(k) and all that good stuff.

But I also believe in spending money on things that really matter.

A person sits in a cafe, holding a smartphone in one hand and looking out the window thoughtfully. A coffee cup is on the table

What good is money if you dont use it?

So Im very deliberate about it, but when I spend, I do so without a second thought.

And itll be paid off in under four years, financed at under 3%.

A man wearing a suit and tie sits at a desk, resting his face on his hand, looking at a computer screen with a bored expression

Spanish is my second language, so I go to Spain and live it up.”

“I think the old generation, especially immigrants, dont always have a healthy relationship with money.

Not their fault financial institutions arent exactly as reliable as ours are here.

BuzzFeed celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with an illustration of diverse figures in traditional and modern attire

And the financial instruments we have here are very powerful at creating wealth if you might harness it correctly.

And if they grew up poor, they never want to spend money on anything.

“I live within my means, so I don’t spend much.

Not because I’m trying to save, but just because I don’t really desire buying much.

I want to enjoy myself every now and then.

“So, I take a middle approach.

Save most, but just spend it whenever you want.

u/Iscratchmybutt

8.

“I’m adopted Korean.

My parents are very financially conservative boomers and extremely low-risk investors.

Have a little squirreled away in high-yield savings and mutual funds.

I drive a really crappy car that is paid off.”

u/StarbuckIsland

9.

“Paycheck to paycheck.”

u/DerpyEyelessRat

10.

“Like most Asian parents, I spend money to torture… Ooops…

I meant enrichment classes for my kids.”

u/LSinUSA

11.

Parents probably still think I spend too much though, lol.”

u/Familiar_Bat_9415

12.

I have enough money for lots of things but not a house.”

u/hello010101

13.

“I grew up poor.

Some people go nuts when they accumulate some disposable money.

I’m somewhat in the middle.

I’m not cheap, but I’m not reckless.

If I want something, I’ll just buy it.

I take Lyfts more often than the subway.

Guitar playing is a serious hobby for me.

Just bought one last week.

All guitars don’t feel/sound the same.

These are my big splurge buys.

With most other things, I’ve learned to be frugal.

“I have a healthy bank account and very little debt.

I treat debt as a cancer.

But I’m at the point in my life where if I want something, I’ll buy it.

I subsidize my daughter’s living expenses as she’s just started grad school.

There’s no guarantee of a tomorrow.”

u/tellyeggs

14.

“I save 15% of my earnings before bills, and the rest sits in checking.

u/ImaginaryAI

15.

“I save a lot but honestly dont make that much within the larger framework of society.”

u/throwawayandwhathavu

16.

“I’m stingy as hell but also rich enough that it doesn’t really matter.

The stinginess comes from my parents not really having anything when they came to the US.

Typical nail salon and factory family, and they pushed educationhard.

Well, I got educated and got a nice career.

I just never lost the frugal habits I had when I was younger.”

“My investments are typical, long-term things.

The rest I spend on a big vacation in Vietnam every year.”

u/ViolaNguyen

17.

We lived pretty comfortably.

Turns out they basically have nothing to show for all their hard work.

I kinda wish my parents did more of that.”

I got pushed into buying property, but I live with family, so its not a huge burden.

I want to learn everything about personal finance in an almost unhealthy way.

On paper, Im probably ahead of my peers, but I feel five steps behind.

u/Better-Ad5488

Note: Some responses have been edited for length and clarity.