8 daily habits of lower-middle class people who will never be rich

If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me, “What’s the secret to getting rich?” I’d be sitting pretty in my private island compound—typing away under a palm tree, sipping coconut water. As someone who used to run a small tech startup before leaping into full-time writing at Small Biz Technology, I’ve seen firsthand how people sabotage themselves on a daily basis.

Many of us have big dreams, but it’s our habits—tiny actions we repeat day after day—that shape our destiny. I’m not a billionaire (yet), but I’ve been around plenty of successful entrepreneurs to know the difference between those who achieve wealth and those who perpetually struggle.

In this article, I’ll explore eight specific habits I’ve noticed in certain folks who seem perpetually stuck in the lower-middle class income range. Now, let me be crystal clear: not everyone who’s lower-middle class thinks or behaves this way—far from it. But there are some destructive daily habits that can keep a person trapped. If you’re looking to build a brighter financial future, these are the habits to avoid like the plague.

Let’s get started.

1. They Scroll and Complain (But Never Create)

Ever notice how some people spend hours on social media, reading post after post about everyone else’s successes—whether it’s a friend who launched a small business or a cousin who started day trading—and all they do is complain about how “lucky” those people are?

They scroll, they envy, they complain… and then they never do anything about it. This habit is a triple whammy: not only does it drain energy that could be used productively, but it also breeds resentment. If you see someone else succeeding, learn from them instead of writing off their success as dumb luck.

Famous investor Warren Buffett once said, “Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.” While they’re planting their tree, the perpetual scroller is likely on the couch, using that phone’s battery from 100% to 0%, complaining the whole time.

To break out of this cycle, challenge yourself to create instead of just consume. Launch that website you’ve been dreaming up, take an online course to learn new skills—do something, anything, that builds your future, instead of endlessly doom-scrolling through someone else’s story.

2. They Watch TV With Zero Purpose

Now, let me be the first to say: I love a good Netflix marathon. My personal weakness? Documentaries about obscure tech moguls and historical innovators (my brother still teases me about how many I’ve watched). But there’s a big difference between leisure that recharges you and mindless binge-watching that acts like quicksand for your ambition.

Some folks come home from work, hit the couch, turn on the TV, and then—poof!—four hours vanish without a second thought. It’s daily sedation. TV itself isn’t the enemy, but watching it with zero purpose can lull you into complacency. Those four hours could’ve been used to work on a side hustle, read a business book, or hone a skill you’ve always wanted to master. Instead, the relentless watchers end each day the same way they started it—except with fewer hours to build a better tomorrow.

If you watch TV, do it deliberately. Pick something uplifting or educational—or at least limit it to a set time so you can still invest in your personal development. The difference between building wealth and staying stuck often hinges on how you use your free time.

3. They Fear Risk More Than They Desire Reward

I remember during my startup days, we had a chance to pitch an angel investor who liked our product but asked for a bigger equity stake than we wanted. It was a risk. We could take the money, but we’d lose a chunk of our ownership. After a heated debate—during which I lost about a pound of sweat—we took the deal. You know what? It opened doors, provided a runway for growth, and allowed us to expand quicker than we ever could on our own.

Many lower-middle class individuals I’ve met shy away from every risk like it’s a venomous snake. They won’t invest in a small venture because, “What if I lose money?” They won’t start a side business because, “What if it fails?” Sure, there’s logic in being cautious, but always choosing security over any form of calculated risk can cap your income for life.

Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.” – Henry Ford

That’s the mindset difference: successful people embrace failure as a learning opportunity, while others shy away from any shot that might end in a crash and burn. Ironically, by avoiding small risks, these individuals often put themselves at a greater long-term risk of never improving their financial situation.

4. They Don’t Expand Their Skills (Because They Think They Can’t Afford It)

We live in the golden age of online education. From free YouTube tutorials on coding or digital marketing to budget-friendly platforms like Udemy or Coursera, there’s no excuse to stop learning. Yet, some will claim they simply “can’t afford” to invest in new skills.

What they really mean is, “I can’t see the immediate payoff, so I won’t invest the time or the money.” The irony is that not learning new skills all but guarantees they remain stuck. A friend of mine saved up every spare dollar from his entry-level IT job to pay for an Amazon Web Services (AWS) certification. That one credential boosted his salary by 30%. A small investment in knowledge can yield major returns.

Think you can’t afford skill expansion? You can’t afford not to. Do free trials. Borrow books from the library (yes, these still exist!). Check out free resources. Don’t let cost be your barrier to self-improvement.

5. They Hang Out With “Energy Vampires”

Some call them “energy vampires” or “misery loves company.” If you spend the majority of your time with chronic complainers—colleagues or friends who mock every attempt at self-improvement—you’ll likely adopt their habits, whether you realize it or not.

When I first started writing, I had a buddy who would say, “Why bother writing? There are too many blogs out there already.” Well, sure, there are a lot of blogs. But there are also a lot of coffee shops, a lot of restaurants, a lot of YouTube channels. That shouldn’t stop anyone from creating something of their own. I parted ways with that negativity (politely, of course) and found new mentors and friends who encouraged my creative pursuits.

Legendary motivational speaker Jim Rohn famously said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” If all five of your closest pals keep telling you wealth is impossible or that “life is meant to be endured, not enjoyed,” you might start believing it. It’s not about abandoning everyone in your life who’s a downer, but do be mindful of how their energy seeps into your mindset.

6. They Rely on One Source of Income (and Call Everything Else a ‘Scam’)

Some folks see every side hustle idea or potential online gig as a “scam.” I get it—there are shady operations out there. But there are also legitimate avenues to make extra money, whether through freelancing, affiliate marketing, or even renting out a spare room on Airbnb.

Lower-middle class earners who never break free often cling to a single paycheck. They treat that job as the ultimate lifeline but then complain about never having enough money left over at the end of the month. Meanwhile, wealth-minded individuals often diversify their income streams. They figure out ways to supplement their day job—maybe by selling digital products, driving for a ride-sharing service, or investing in stocks and dividends.

As the proverb goes, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” This is especially true if your one basket is a job you don’t even enjoy. Diversifying doesn’t guarantee a smooth ride, but it creates more opportunities to grow your income over time.

7. They Scrimp on the Wrong Things (While Overspending on Others)

Every time I check out at a grocery store, I see people carefully scanning for coupons, buying the cheapest canned goods, but then ironically they’ll splurge on an expensive gadget or a fancy TV just because “It’s on sale!” The problem isn’t in looking for deals on groceries—that’s actually quite smart. It’s in the mismatch between scrimping on essentials while mindlessly overspending on non-essentials.

It’s common to see folks skipping out on better-quality food or educational materials but dropping hundreds on new phones they don’t need. The net effect is that your money is still disappearing, but you’re not investing in things that could improve your life or your earning potential.

I learned this lesson the hard way. In my early days, I’d buy the cheapest coffee brand I could find and skip out on networking events because of the cost. But I’d blow money on tech gadgets just because they seemed “cool.” Eventually, I realized I was shortchanging my personal development. Now, I still love my gadgets, but I budget for them after I’ve covered investments in my skills and future.

8. They Never Think Beyond the Next Paycheck

This might be the biggest habit of all: living in a perpetual state of short-term thinking. Some people get their paycheck, and it’s like they’re sprinting to the next payday without a pause to strategize or invest. If you’re only ever thinking about your next two weeks, you’ll never accumulate the resources or mindset to save, invest, or plan out your future.

When I pivoted from being an entrepreneur to full-time writing, I had to plan months ahead—consider potential contracts, content schedules, whether or not I’d eventually want to pivot back to running a business. People who remain financially stagnant often act like the future is something they can’t control. But it’s a self-fulfilling prophecy.

The best way to combat this? Start small. Save 5-10% of every paycheck in an investment or savings account you don’t touch. Automatically invest in a retirement fund. Create a vision board for where you want to be next year, in five years, in a decade. When you lift your eyes from the next two weeks to the next two decades, you begin to make decisions that set you up for wealth creation rather than living hand-to-mouth.

 

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Ethan Sterling

Ethan Sterling has a background in entrepreneurship, having started and managed several small businesses. His journey through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship provides him with practical insights into personal resilience, strategic thinking, and the value of persistence. Ethan’s articles offer real-world advice for those looking to grow personally and professionally.

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