Breaking the Cycle: How Negative Behaviors Keep People Stuck Financially (and How to Break Free)
- Matt Paquet
- Mar 17
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 30
Many people struggle to get ahead financially, not because they lack money, but because of deep-rooted behaviors and mindsets that keep them stuck. These patterns often stem from childhood experiences, mental health struggles, or personal habits that have gone unchecked for years. The good news? These cycles can be broken. Here’s a look at some of the most common self-sabotaging behaviors and practical ways to overcome them.
1. Blaming Others: Giving Away Your Power
People who consistently blame others for their financial situation disempower themselves. By shifting responsibility to external factors—bad employers, unfair landlords, or "the system"—they lose their ability to take control.
How to Break the Cycle:
Accept responsibility for where you are, even if unfair circumstances played a role.
Focus on what you can change today—whether that’s budgeting, job searching, or cutting unnecessary expenses.
Stop waiting for external rescue; financial independence comes from self-driven action.
2. Self-Helplessness: The Art of Not Trying
Self-helplessness is when people convince themselves they can’t improve their situation, often due to deep-seated fears, depression, or past failures. It leads to inaction, dependency, and ultimately, financial stagnation.
How to Break the Cycle:
Start with one small step—open a savings account, track expenses, or apply for one new job a week.
Recognize that setbacks happen, but doing nothing guarantees failure.
Seek professional help if mental health is a barrier; therapy can be a game-changer.
3. Mental Health Struggles: The Silent Roadblock
Depression tells you not to bother. Anxiety overloads and exhausts you. Both make financial progress feel impossible. When overwhelmed, people avoid dealing with money altogether—ignoring bills, avoiding bank statements, and making impulsive choices for temporary relief.
How to Break the Cycle:
Set a routine for financial tasks (e.g., check bank accounts every Monday, budget every payday).
Use automatic bill payments to remove decision fatigue.
Prioritize mental health—seeking treatment can lead to better decision-making.
4. “I Can’t Afford It” Mindset: A Self-Fulfilling Trap
Many people claim they "can't afford" to save or invest, yet they spend impulsively on small comforts—fast food, cigarettes, subscriptions, and unnecessary purchases. The real issue isn’t lack of money; it’s lack of money management.
How to Break the Cycle:
Track where every dollar goes for a month. You’ll quickly spot leaks.
Apply the "Pause Rule"—wait 24 hours before spending on non-essentials.
Reframe spending: Instead of saying “I can’t afford it,” ask, “How can I make this affordable?”
5. Addiction to Comfort: The Enemy of Change
Many struggling financially are addicted to familiarity, even if it’s harmful. This could be staying in toxic social circles, continuing bad habits, or refusing to leave a dead-end job because change is scary.
How to Break the Cycle:
Identify who and what is keeping you in the same place.
Slowly replace unhealthy habits with productive ones (e.g., swapping social drinking for a weekly class or gym session).
Surround yourself with people who push you forward, not hold you back.
6. Lack of Structure: No Plan, No Progress
Without a structured approach, money disappears as quickly as it comes in. A lack of budgeting, inconsistent income management, and emotional spending leave people feeling like they can never get ahead.
How to Break the Cycle:
Use a physical or digital budget—write out every expense before spending your paycheck.
Set up limited-access savings accounts to stop impulse spending.
Create a clear financial goal—pay off debt, save $1,000, or invest $50 a month. Small goals lead to big changes.
Final Thought: Change Starts With You
Breaking these cycles isn’t easy, but it’s possible. The first step is recognizing self-sabotaging behaviors and choosing to do something different—
Comments