How a lower-middle-class upbringing silently shapes your habits and self-worth

Have you ever caught yourself agonizing over a small purchase or feeling guilty when you spend money on something you don’t “absolutely need”? Maybe you’ve wondered why you clip coupons or compare prices online, even when you can afford an item at full cost.

If so, you’re not alone. Many of us who grew up in lower-middle-class households adopted habits and mindsets that still shape our daily lives—often without our conscious awareness.

During my psychology studies, I was struck by how formative our childhood environments can be. Growing up in a home where finances are tight can leave an emotional imprint, affecting everything from how we handle stress to how we relate to others.

In this article, I’ll share seven common behaviors that stem from lower-middle-class upbringings, supported by psychological research. I’ll also explain how mindful awareness—a key Buddhist principle—can help you recognize and reshape these patterns.

1. Overthinking every purchase

Do you pause for a long moment—even for something as small as a coffee or a streaming subscription—wondering if it’s really worth the money?

If you grew up in a lower-middle-class home, you may have witnessed family members weighing every minor expense, sometimes with a hint of anxiety.

Why this happens
A study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that people raised in economically constrained environments often internalize a “prevention focus.”

In other words, you learn to prevent losses more than you learn to pursue gains. As a result, this mindset lingers, leading you to carefully evaluate each potential cost, no matter how small.

How mindful awareness helps
When you notice the swirl of anxiety before making a purchase, pause. Take a deep breath and bring your attention to the present moment.

Ask yourself: “Is this hesitation coming from a legitimate budget concern, or is it an echo from my past?” This simple check-in lets you separate real financial caution from habitual worry.

2. Feeling guilty about “luxuries”

Buying something non-essential—like a new outfit, a spa treatment, or even a fancy dinner—can trigger disproportionate guilt. You might hear an internal voice saying, “You should save that money,” or “This is too indulgent.”

Why this happens
From a psychological standpoint, guilt stems from violating an internal value system. If you grew up in a home where frugality was a virtue (often out of necessity), indulging can feel like a betrayal of those values.

Research suggests that people often adopt the financial attitudes of their primary caregivers, internalizing unspoken rules about what is acceptable spending.

How mindful awareness helps
Try labeling the guilt when it arises: “There’s that voice again, feeling guilty over spending.”

By identifying the emotion and allowing yourself to feel it without judgment, you can start to question whether the guilt is actually serving you—or merely reflecting a past mindset that no longer fits your circumstances.

3. Hoarding everyday items

Have you ever held onto bottles, jars, or worn-out clothing because they “might be useful someday”? Maybe you find it tough to throw away leftovers, even if they’re past their prime. This tendency to hang onto stuff can be common among those who grew up with limited resources.

Why this happens
Studies in behavioral economics show that scarcity—or even the perception of scarcity—leads us to overvalue items because we fear future deprivation.

This is also related to “loss aversion,” a concept introduced by Nobel Prize-winning psychologists Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky. When you grow up in a household that’s always “making do,” you learn to keep everything “just in case.”

How mindful awareness helps
Next time you’re deciding whether to hold on to something, take a moment to gently ask yourself: “Does keeping this truly serve me, or am I reacting out of an old fear of not having enough?”

Being present with the physical sensation—maybe a tightening in your chest or a flicker of anxiety—helps you recognize and soften that fear before it dictates your actions.

4. Comparing your financial situation to others

Do you ever find yourself sizing up your finances against friends, co-workers, or even strangers?

If you grew up watching your parents worry about making ends meet, it’s natural to be hyper-aware of economic disparities—both real and perceived.

Why this happens
According to social comparison theory, we often judge our well-being based on how we stack up against those around us.

For someone raised in a lower-middle-class environment, these comparisons can be more pronounced. You might constantly evaluate who has more money, a nicer car, or a bigger house, as a way to gauge your own security.

How mindful awareness helps
When you catch yourself comparing, bring your attention back to what is happening right now. Notice the tension in your body or the thoughts in your mind. You might say, “I’m comparing myself again; let me return to the present.”

By letting comparisons pass without feeding them, you break the cycle of self-judgment or envy that drags you into stress.

5. Underestimating your own worth

Another subtle pattern from a lower-middle-class upbringing is setting your sights too low—whether in your career, relationships, or personal goals.

You might feel that certain opportunities are only for people from a “better background,” even if you have the qualifications.

Why this happens
Research highlights that social class can influence academic and career aspirations.

When resources were scarce at home, you might have received fewer opportunities, leading to a self-fulfilling prophecy: you expect less from yourself because that’s the norm you observed growing up.

How mindful awareness helps
Acknowledge the thoughts of self-doubt as they arise: “I’m feeling like I can’t apply for that job, even though I meet the requirements.” Then question them: “Is this belief rooted in the present truth or a holdover from my past?”

This shift from automatic thinking to mindful inquiry can boost confidence and remind you that you are worthy of better opportunities.

6. Feeling uncomfortable in settings of affluence

Have you been invited to a luxurious wedding, an upscale restaurant, or a high-end networking event, only to feel like you don’t quite belong?

That nagging sense of being out of place can trace back to childhood experiences where extravagance was unfamiliar—or even looked down upon as “wasteful.”

Why this happens
Psychologist Pierre Bourdieu famously described the concept of “cultural capital”—the non-financial assets that give a person social mobility.

If you didn’t grow up in wealthier environments, you might lack familiarity with certain social norms, triggering anxiety or discomfort.

How mindful awareness helps
When you notice discomfort rising in upscale settings, practice grounding yourself. Feel your feet on the floor, take a slow breath, and remind yourself that everyone has a right to be there.

By staying present, you shift your focus away from old insecurities and into your authentic self in the here-and-now.

7. Worrying excessively about a “rainy day”

Finally, if you’ve ever become anxious over not having enough saved for potential emergencies—always bracing for the worst—you could be manifesting a leftover fear from a cash-strapped childhood.

While it’s wise to prepare for unexpected expenses, there’s a point where caution morphs into an ever-present dread.

Why this happens
In psychology, this overlaps with the concept of “catastrophizing,” where you expect dire outcomes.

Growing up with limited financial resources can make you hypervigilant. You might save excessively or feel constant guilt for not saving more, driven by the belief that disaster is lurking around the corner.

How mindful awareness helps
Try noticing when you’re worrying about future catastrophes. Label the worry as just that—worry. Then bring your attention to what’s real in the moment.

Perhaps you run a quick check: “Right now, do I have food, shelter, some savings? Yes? Okay.” This helps you shift from fear-based anticipation to a calmer, fact-based perspective.

Mindfulness perspective

Mindful awareness—being fully present with whatever arises—offers a powerful antidote to the subtle anxieties rooted in a lower-middle-class upbringing. One simple yet effective practice is the “Five Senses Check-In.”

1. Pause for a moment, wherever you are.

2. Breathe slowly and deeply, just noticing the inhale and exhale.

3. Acknowledge five things you can see: maybe the pattern on the wall or the texture of your shirt.

4. Notice four things you can touch: feel the cool air on your skin, or the chair beneath you.

5. Listen for three sounds: the hum of the fridge, distant traffic, your own breath.

6. Savor two scents: perhaps a hint of coffee or the smell of fresh laundry.

7. Identify one taste: could be leftover flavor from a meal or simply the taste of your mouth.

By engaging your senses, you draw yourself fully into the present. This grounding exercise interrupts habitual worries—about money, status, or future calamities—and helps you respond more skillfully, free from old, fear-based patterns.

Conclusion 

Growing up in a lower-middle-class household can shape your habits and emotions in ways you may not even realize.

From overthinking every purchase to feeling unworthy in certain social settings, these patterns can linger well into adulthood. But awareness is the first step toward transformation.

By combining psychological insights with mindful awareness, you can recognize which behaviors serve you and which ones belong to a past context you’ve outgrown.

I’ve found that the more you practice being present—through simple check-ins or mindfulness exercises—the easier it becomes to see your habits clearly and let go of what no longer fits. Trust that you have the power to rewrite your money story and live more freely, with confidence and ease.