A man turns out his empty pockets, circa 1948. (Photo by FPG/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
You likely have seen or participated in these kinds of personal finance decisions: buying a nice watch, talking smooth, and carrying big dreams—while actually being financially far from stability. So, how do you know when you’re in this situation? Let’s break it down—with receipts.
1) You Live On Lifestyle Credit: You pick up dinner at a fancy restaurant, but are dodging your student loan payments. That’s not wealth—it’s debt cosplay.
In fact, nearly 60% of U.S. credit cardholders live paycheck to paycheck, and half carry revolving credit card debt from month to month, according to a 2024 Bankrate report.
Ask yourself: Are you spending money, or just swiping and praying?
2) You’re Always In Between Something: Maybe you’re “between projects,” “launching a startup,” or “waiting on a big opportunity.”
As of March 2025, overall unemployment is low, 4.2% for adults. That means most are working—if you or someone you know is not, ask why.
3) You Use Relationships To Dodge Money Talk: When you ask about finances, you or someone you’re with pulls the “love isn’t about money” card. It can be cute but misleading.
According to the Institute of Divorce Financial Analysts, money is the one of the leading cause of divorce in the U.S., right behind infidelity and incompatibility. If you can’t talk about money early on, that’s not romance—it’s a red flag.
4. You Tout Assets Even Though You Lack Them: Crypto, NFTs or angel investing are all buzzwords, but what if they come without real retirement savings?
You’re not alone. A whopping 45% of U.S. households have no retirement savings at all. That’s not “starting late”—that’s ignoring the basics.
Ask yourself: Are you working on an actual portfolio or just tweeting about Dogecoin?
5. You Move In Fast And Stay Around Others: Habits like using someone else’s Wi-Fi, eating their groceries, or asking to borrow their car is not a path to financial stability.
And this trend is growing: A 2021 study by the US Census Bureau found that one-third of adults aged 18-34 were living at home.
Translation: Some people are struggling in adulthood—and could be dependent on someone else to upgrade their circumstances. So don’t confuse confidence with capability.
Ask yourself:
- Do I or this person I’m with have a financial foundation—or just a fantasy?
- Am I building with a partner—or taking care of the other person?
Love should make your life easier—not more expensive.