Some people just can’t seem to hold onto their money to save their lives.
The minute it hits their account, it’s already gone, spent on impulse buys, takeaways, or things they don’t actually need. If this sounds familiar, it’s not just about bad spending habits. The way you handle your finances often comes down to deeper personality traits, habits, and even emotional triggers. While some people naturally prioritise saving, others find their cash slipping through their fingers before they even realise it. If money seems to burn a hole in your pocket, you probably have these qualities, too. No shame, by the way — if you can afford it, you keep doing you!
1. You love instant gratification.
Waiting for something is not your style. If you want something, you’d rather have it now, even if it means spending more or dipping into money you should probably be saving. The idea of holding off for a better deal or waiting to see if you truly need something doesn’t really cross your mind. Instant gratification is one of the biggest reasons money disappears fast. The problem is, the excitement of a new purchase fades quickly, and before long, you’re onto the next thing. That cycle keeps you spending without ever feeling truly satisfied, making it difficult to build lasting financial stability.
2. You convince yourself that small purchases don’t count.
Dropping £4 on a coffee? No big deal. Grabbing a snack at the petrol station? Barely worth mentioning. The problem is, these little purchases add up fast, especially if they happen daily. You might not even notice how much you’re spending until you check your account and wonder where all your money went. It’s easy to justify small purchases because they don’t feel like real spending. But when they happen all the time, they can drain your bank account just as quickly as a big splurge. If you don’t track them, they can become one of the biggest money leaks in your budget.
3. You hate feeling restricted.
Budgeting? Saving? Tracking your expenses? That just sounds like a bunch of rules telling you what you can’t do, and you’d rather not deal with that. You want to enjoy your money, not feel like it’s being controlled by spreadsheets or numbers that take the fun out of spending. The problem is, avoiding structure usually means you have no idea where your money is actually going. And without some level of control, it’s easy to end up broke by the end of the month, wondering why your bank balance is so low yet again. A little financial discipline can go a long way.
4. You treat money like it’s replaceable.
You believe that money always comes back around, so why stress about it? If you spend too much now, you assume you’ll just make more later. That makes it easy to justify reckless spending because, in your mind, there’s always more where that came from. While confidence in your ability to make money is great, treating cash as an endless resource can backfire. Unexpected expenses, job changes, or emergencies happen, and if you’re always living for the moment, you might not be prepared when you actually need financial security.
5. You love the thrill of spending.
For you, shopping isn’t just about buying what you need—it’s an experience. Whether it’s browsing online sales, swiping your card, or unboxing a new purchase, there’s something exciting about spending money that gives you a little rush, making it feel like a reward. That thrill makes it easy to overspend, especially if you shop when you’re bored or stressed. Of course, the excitement wears off fast, and you’re left looking for your next spending fix. Without mindful spending, the cycle repeats itself, keeping you stuck in financial limbo.
6. You struggle with FOMO.
When your friends invite you out, you say yes, even if it means blowing through your budget. When a new product drops, you buy it because you don’t want to miss out. The fear of missing out is a huge driver of impulse spending, especially when social pressure is involved. You’d rather spend money now than feel left out later. But constantly giving in to FOMO can lead to spending money you don’t have and regretting purchases that didn’t really add value to your life. Learning to pause before making purchases can help you break the habit.
7. You justify spending as “treating yourself.”
Every time you buy something, you tell yourself you deserve it. You work hard, life is stressful, and splurging a little makes you feel good. While there’s nothing wrong with treating yourself, using this excuse all the time can drain your finances fast, leaving you struggling later. If every small inconvenience or rough day leads to retail therapy, your bank account is going to take a hit. True financial stability comes from balancing spending with long-term security, not just rewarding yourself in the moment. Finding other ways to cope with stress can help.
8. You’re easily influenced by marketing.
Source: Unsplash Flash sales, limited-time offers, and influencers raving about the latest must-have item? You’re in. Clever marketing tactics work well on you because they make you feel like you need to buy something right now before you miss out on a great deal or exclusive product. Companies design their ads to create urgency, making you feel like you have to act fast. If you’re not careful, you can end up spending money on things you never planned for, all because the marketing got to you first. Taking time before making a purchase can help.
9. You avoid checking your bank balance.
Source: Unsplash If looking at your bank account makes you anxious, you might be avoiding reality. Instead of keeping track of what’s going in and out, you just keep spending and hope for the best. Out of sight, out of mind, right? Unfortunately, avoiding your finances doesn’t make the situation any better. Without knowing where you stand financially, it’s easy to overspend and end up struggling at the end of the month. Checking your balance regularly helps you stay aware of your spending habits. Once you start tracking, you may realise how much unnecessary spending is holding you back.
10. You don’t plan for the future.
Source: Unsplash Retirement, savings, investments — those things feel too far away to worry about right now. You’d rather focus on enjoying your money today than thinking about something that seems decades away. But ignoring long-term planning can leave you unprepared when life throws curveballs. The truth is, financial security doesn’t just happen on its own. If you’re constantly spending without thinking about the future, you might find yourself struggling later when it actually matters. Even small, consistent savings now can make a massive difference down the road.
11. You love the status of owning nice things.
Source: Unsplash Expensive brands, the latest tech, designer clothes — having these things makes you feel successful. You enjoy the feeling of walking around with something high-end, even if it means stretching your budget a little too far. Sometimes, you buy things not because you need them, but because they make you feel good. The downside? Trying to “keep up” can become a never-ending cycle. If your spending is more about appearances than actual needs, you might be sacrificing financial stability just to impress other people. In reality, wealth isn’t about what you buy — it’s about what you keep.
12. You hate saying no to yourself.
When you want something, you find a way to justify it. You don’t like the idea of depriving yourself, even if deep down you know it’s not the best financial decision. If you have money, you’re going to spend it—because why not? Self-control isn’t something that comes naturally to you. While treating yourself isn’t a bad thing, constantly saying yes to every purchase can leave you in a tough spot. Learning to set limits, even when you don’t want to, is key to keeping your finances in check. Sometimes, saying no now means saying yes to bigger opportunities later.
13. You see saving as something you’ll “get around to later.”
You know saving is important, but you keep telling yourself you’ll start once you make more money or when life gets a little easier. Right now, spending feels like the priority, and saving always seems like something for the future rather than the present. Unfortunately, if you keep waiting for the “perfect” time to start saving, you’ll never actually do it. The best time to build good financial habits is now, even if it’s just a small amount at a time. Future you will thank present you for starting early instead of waiting too long.
14. You don’t think about opportunity cost.
Every pound you spend on one thing is a pound you can’t spend on something else, but you don’t really think that way. You focus on the immediate purchase rather than what that money could have been used for in the future. If you want something, you buy it without much thought about alternatives. If you constantly spend without considering what you’re giving up, you might be holding yourself back from bigger financial goals. Whether it’s travelling, buying a home, or investing in something meaningful, every purchase should align with what truly matters to you.
15. You genuinely enjoy spending money.
At the end of the day, you just love to spend. Buying things makes you happy, and having money sitting in your account doesn’t give you the same satisfaction as spending it on something fun or exciting. It’s not that you’re reckless, you just enjoy using money rather than holding onto it. While there’s nothing wrong with enjoying your money, balance is key. Learning to enjoy both spending and saving is the best way to avoid constantly feeling broke while still treating yourself when it counts. The happiest people don’t just spend freely — they also create financial freedom for themselves.
