Ever catch yourself rolling your eyes when someone rambles on about their finances like they’ve got a Swiss bank account for every day of the week?
Here at Small Biz Technology, I’ve seen firsthand how the way people discuss cash can reveal more about what they don’t have than what they actually do.
It isn’t that folks who exaggerate or deflect in money conversations are necessarily trying to fool us; sometimes, they’ve simply absorbed habits that mask deeper uncertainties.
I’m not here to roast anyone—I’ve had my own moments of awkward money talk, for sure.
But if you pay attention, you’ll notice patterns in how certain people attempt to project a bigger bank balance than reality can back up.
Let’s dive into seven signs that might clue you in when someone’s wealth is more of an illusion than a solid fact.
1. They drop brand names left and right
Ever been in a chat with someone who peppers in high-end labels every other sentence?
It usually sounds something like: “I just picked up a Gucci wallet after my dinner at Nobu,” or “I can’t start my day without Starbucks Reserve coffee.”
Sure, they might genuinely enjoy these brands—but it’s also possible they’re trying to broadcast a lifestyle that implies they can afford the best of the best.
I remember a buddy from college who’d namedrop every expensive thing he bought—even if he’d been saving pennies on the side just to afford one flashy purchase.
It was kind of painful to watch because it felt like he was more concerned with the perception of wealth than actually managing his finances.
If someone’s every sentence is a commercial for luxury labels, it might be a sign they’re compensating for what they lack in their bank account.
2. They make a big deal out of small “deals”
You know that friend who can’t stop bragging about how they scored a 10% discount on something?
Don’t get me wrong—I love a good bargain.
But some people push it so hard that you start to sense a bit of desperation in the mix.
They say things like, “I got an incredible deal on these limited-edition shoes,” but then talk about it five times in one conversation.
Of course, plenty of well-off individuals love discounts (Warren Buffett himself is famously frugal).
The key difference is, they’re not usually bragging about it every chance they get.
A constant need to flaunt how thrifty they are can be a hint that they’re stretching their budget further than they let on.
It’s like they’re telling you, “Hey, I can still hang with the brand-name crowd—I just do it smarter,” when the real story might be that they don’t have as much wiggle room as they’d like.
3. They talk vaguely about “big opportunities”
Have you ever met someone who’s always on the verge of closing a “major deal” or starting a “huge project,” yet nothing ever solidifies?
They’ll say things like, “Oh, I’m about to invest in this real estate venture,” or “We’ve got a partnership lined up that’s going to change the game,” but then never share details or results.
It’s not that they’re outright lying about their ambitions; they might genuinely believe something will pan out.
But if someone perpetually hovers in the “almost there” zone, it can indicate they’re fueling an image of financial security that doesn’t exist.
Real success often has real specifics—even if those specifics are simply “I’m waiting on final paperwork” or “I’m collaborating with this partner.”
Ambiguity, on the other hand, can be a red flag.
4. They constantly compare themselves to the wealthy
“Dude, I could easily be making Mark Cuban money if I just had a few more breaks in life,” or “I’m basically a Jeff Bezos in the making, just wait and see.”
Sound familiar?
Some folks drop these comparisons like it’s their full-time hobby.
It reminds me of that friend who’s always gauging himself against top-tier moguls or Internet billionaires as if it’s just a matter of time.
When someone’s hyper-focused on how they stack up against major success stories, it can sometimes mean they’re insecure about where they currently stand.
They’re projecting a future vision of themselves to downplay where they really are.
It’s almost like a “fake it till you make it” routine, except the “fake” part can get pretty transparent the more they do it.
5. They deflect or change the subject on specifics
Ask a direct question—like, “How are you funding that new venture?”—and suddenly it’s a chorus of “Oh, you know, I’ve got a ton of equity” or “I have multiple income streams.”
But press for any details, and they get cagey or switch topics to something completely different.
This is often a big giveaway that their actual finances might not be as strong as they imply.
I’ve noticed this pattern in networking circles, especially at events where everyone’s trying to make a great impression.
Some folks just can’t handle pointed questions about their alleged success.
If you find them steering the conversation away from clarifying how they’re pulling it off, it’s a fair guess they’re inflating their story.
Genuine financial stability usually doesn’t need so much smoke and mirrors.
6. They criticize how others spend
Ever meet someone who nitpicks everyone else’s financial choices?
“Oh, that guy wasted money on a fancy vacation,” or “Why would she buy a new car when a used one’s cheaper?”
It can feel like they’re trying to one-up the world by demonstrating how much “smarter” they are about money.
In reality, that kind of persistent judgment can be a defense mechanism.
When I was starting out in entrepreneurship, I met a few individuals who would trash talk high rollers in the tech scene, claiming they were reckless spenders.
But the real story was that they couldn’t match that spending power, so it became easier to label it as “irresponsible” than to admit they weren’t on the same financial level.
Criticizing how others throw around their cash might be a sign of envy or insecurity—more about the speaker’s financial gaps than those they’re judging.
7. They resort to generic clichés about money not mattering
I’ve heard people say, “Money isn’t everything,” and I definitely believe there’s truth in that.
But if they say it too often, it begins to come off like a verbal dodge.
Maybe they suspect others are onto the fact that they’re not as loaded as they claim, so they pivot into a moral stance: “Money can’t buy happiness,” or “I’m above materialistic stuff, anyway.”
Don’t get me wrong: being detached from chasing dollars can be commendable if it’s genuine.
However, if it’s paired with the other signs—like boasting, brand-dropping, or refusing to get into details—it might be an easy cover.
Instead of acknowledging a tight financial situation, they lean on the noble idea that “money isn’t everything” so no one asks for receipts, literally or figuratively.
Wrapping up
How people talk about finances can reveal what’s really going on beneath the surface.
We all have different perspectives on money, shaped by our experiences and insecurities.
If you see yourself in one of these points, it doesn’t mean you’re doomed to a lifetime of fake-it-till-you-make-it.
However, it could be your cue to tackle some money beliefs head-on and build a more genuine, confident financial story.
After all, real success—financial or otherwise—usually shows up in actions, not just in talk.
Until next time, friends.
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