The Psychology of People Who Grew Up Poor

The Psychology of People Who Grew Up Poor

25:15 Feb 23, 2026
About this episode
In this episode of the Building Your Money Machine Show, I dive into the psychology behind people who grew up poor and why simply earning more doesn’t fix financial stress. If you’ve ever felt poor, even when the income is coming in, you’re not alone. I get real about how your upbringing, conditioning, and even the emotional experiences around money shape your money mindset. You’ll find out why money sometimes feels like a threat, why the anxiety lingers no matter your bank balance, and most importantly what to do about it.We explore how poverty doesn’t just empty wallets...it wires your nervous system and creates survival logic that might have gotten you this far, but it won’t carry you into true wealth. Whether you’re facing the math problem of not enough income, or the mindset problem of “thinking broke,” I reveal the step-by-step process to fix both.IN TODAY’S EPISODE, I DISCUSS:Why earning more doesn’t necessarily eliminate financial stressThe difference between being broke and thinking broke—and how both can trap youHow poverty and scarcity thinking wire your nervous system for survival, not wealthPractical steps to separate survival reflexes from real financial decisionsGetting clear on your actual lifestyle costs and categorizing expenses into needs, wants, and noiseThe importance of shifting from income-based to system-based thinking for sustainable wealthBuilding an unshakable financial foundation, including liquidity and debt payment strategiesAutomating savings, debt payments, and creating boundaries to protect from mindset slipsRECOMMENDED EPISODES FOR YOUIf you liked this episode, click here to enjoy these and more:https://melabraham.com/show/Psychology of People Who Act Poor When They're RichI Met 400+ Millionaires - This is what I LEARNEDOnce You Get Rich, Change These 6 Things Immediately12 Unsexy Habits That Made Me Serious MoneyWhat The 1% Teach Their Kids About MoneyRECOMMENDED VIDEOS FOR YOU If you liked this video, you'll love these ones:Psychology of People Who Act Poor When They're Rich: https://youtu.be/KpZEuniVbwkI Met 400+ Millionaires - This is what I LEARNED: https://youtu.be/EwQtlsle45YOnce You Get Rich, Change These 6 Things Immediately: https://youtu.be/exgaT-fho5M12 Unsexy Habits That Made Me Serious Money: https://youtu.be/OjYgoVwFxWsORDER MY NEW USA TODAY BESTSELLING BOOK:Building Your Money Machine: How to Get Your Money to Work Harder For You Than You
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