“My neighbors know me, but I get lots of either pitiful or concerned stares from strangers.”

Growing up without much access to money can impact our habits and perspective on the world.

over 12 thousand people provided their insights on the matter.

Woman working intently at a computer in a modern office environment

Here’s what they had to say below:

1.

“Research every purchase for hours and hours to ‘find the best deal’ before pulling the trigger.”

“Eat leftover sandwiches from corporate lunch meetings.

Person washing their hair in a shower, visible from the back with lathered hair and hands on their head

Even if I’m not in the meeting.

I’m not poor, but a free meal is a free meal.”

u/RandyMarsh_88

3.

Scissors cut out paper coupons, offering various discounts such as "20% off" and "$20 off," highlighting savings strategies

“I must extract every last bit of toothpaste from the tube.

Add more water, shake, and get another few days out of it.”

“Wash and reuse plastic ziploc bags.”

Restaurant menu board showing various food items with prices, including chicken bake, roast beef sandwich, hot dog combo, and pizza. Staff member in foreground

u/Genshed

5.

“Wait for sales.

They are clean and laundered.

Open sauce packets showing various condiments, likely ketchup and mayonnaise, squeezed out partway. Image is likely related to food or dining in a work and money context

I wear them to the garden, drink my coffee, walk my dog, etc.

My house clothes are faded, some stained.

I walk around my neighborhood to get steps in.

Close-up of two hands holding a bar of soap with lathered bubbles in a bath setting

My neighbors know me, but I get lots of either pitiful or concerned stares from strangers.”

u/NotDinahShore

“All my shirts have four holes in them…”

u/IONTOP

7.

“Costco hotdog.”

A person wearing a smartwatch holds a smartphone displaying financial management apps in one hand and a cappuccino in a saucer in the other hand, sitting at a desk

“I can tell within $2 what my grocery cart total is going to be, including tax.

She was so grateful she used to save a bit to get me a treat.

Now, I can buy anything I want, but I still budget myself and never go over it.

Plastic grocery bags filled with items are placed on a tiled floor

I get a lethal eye roll.”

u/Zapthyself

“Oh man, I am the same way nowadays.

I would calculate tax, too, based on items that were taxed and items that weren’t.

A person loads a dishwasher by placing a cutlery basket inside. The open dishwasher has various dishes and glasses

u/OolongPeachTea

9.

“I still have a drawer dedicated to fast-food sauces.”

), but the packrat instinct runs deep.”

u/iRob_M

11.

“Take the sliver of soap and press it into the new bar.”

“Divide paper towels to use what’s actually needed.”

My kids use half a roll to dry their hands, so my frugality gets canceled out."

u/Morningfunziethrow

13.

“Look at my bank account for a $2 purchase.”

It’s sooooo good that way."

u/agent_x_75228

15.

“Use plastic shopping bags to line trash cans at home.”

“I still cut my own hair.”

Im a woman in a high-cost-of-living area, so a cut and color would run me a few hundred.

u/slvtberries

17.

“My wife refuses to start the dishwasher unless it’s full.

I don’t even know the price of water.