Mia Zhang
Growing up in a lower middle-class family, it’s a reality I know all too well.
Budgeting every dollar, saving scraps and making do with what we have. It’s not always easy, but it’s life.
But have you ever wondered why you do the things you do? Why you hold onto certain habits like a lifeline?
It’s not just about being frugal or practical. It goes deeper than that.
These are habits, ingrained so deep that you probably don’t even realize you’re doing them.
But they’re there, trust me. And they’re a direct result of your upbringing.
Here’s the scoop on the eight habits you probably adopted without even noticing if you grew up in a lower middle-class family. And let me tell you, these habits are worth recognizing and understanding.
1. You’re a master of budgeting
Growing up in a lower middle-class family teaches you the value of every penny.
You don’t just understand budgeting, you live and breathe it.
It’s not about being stingy, it’s about making the most of what you have. You’ve learned how to stretch a dollar, how to get the best deals, and how to plan for the unexpected.
Without even realizing it, you’ve become a pro at managing money. It’s not something you consciously decided to learn, it just happened out of necessity.
And now, it’s just second nature. Whether you’re at the grocery store or planning your monthly bills, you’re always looking for the most cost-effective way to manage your finances.
2. You know the value of hard work
Growing up, I remember watching my parents work tirelessly. They’d come home late, exhausted but never complaining. They understood that hard work was a necessity to make ends meet.
Unconsciously, this lesson seeped into me. I learned that nothing comes easy and that if you want something, you’ve got to work for it.
I’ll never forget my first part-time job at a local grocery store. Waking up early on weekends, shelving cans and sweeping floors wasn’t glamorous, but it was a start.
That job taught me the importance of earning my own money and more importantly, it instilled in me an indomitable work ethic that I carry till today.
Just like budgeting, this isn’t a habit you consciously pick up. It’s just something you do because it’s been ingrained in you since childhood.
3. You appreciate the simple things in life
Albert Einstein once said, “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”
Growing up in a lower middle-class family, you learn to see the miracles in everyday life. It’s not about having the latest gadgets or the fanciest clothes. It’s about cherishing those small moments and finding joy in simplicity.
I remember how a simple family picnic in the park, with homemade sandwiches and iced tea, used to make my day. It wasn’t about extravagant outings or expensive gifts. It was about spending quality time with the family and making memories.
This habit of appreciating the simple things isn’t something you consciously develop. It’s a perspective, a way of seeing the world that’s been shaped by your upbringing.
And let me tell you, it’s a perspective worth holding onto. Life becomes so much richer when you learn to see and appreciate the miracles in everyday life.
4. You’re resourceful
Did you know that many of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs come from humble beginnings? It’s not a coincidence.
Growing up in a lower middle-class family, you learn to be resourceful. You learn to make do with what you have and to find solutions to problems with limited resources.
This knack for resourcefulness isn’t just about surviving. It’s about thriving in any situation. It’s about being able to look at what you’ve got and figure out how to make it work for you.
From fixing a leaky tap with an old piece of rubber to starting a successful business with just a great idea and a whole lot of determination, this habit of being resourceful can take you far in life.
And guess what? You probably didn’t even realize you were developing this habit. But it’s there, honed by years of making the most out of what you had.
5. You value relationships over material possessions
When you grow up in a lower middle-class family, you quickly understand that material possessions are fleeting, but relationships are forever.
You learn to value the people in your life more than the things you own. You realize that a warm, loving family and a handful of close friends are worth more than any amount of money.
This isn’t a habit you consciously adopt. It’s a belief, a principle that’s been ingrained in you through years of prioritizing people over possessions.
Research bears this out — in fact, studies show that people from lower and middle-income families tend to live near extended family. Thus, they tend to enjoy closer relationships than those from more affluent families.
Whether it’s skipping an expensive outing to spend time at home with your family, or helping a friend in need instead of buying that new gadget you’ve been eyeing, this habit of valuing relationships over material possessions is something that stays with you.
6. You’re not afraid of failure
Growing up in a lower middle-class family, you’re no stranger to challenges. You’ve seen your share of ups and downs, and you’ve learned that failure is not the end of the world.
Instead, you understand that failure is a stepping stone to success. When you fall, you dust yourself off and get back up again. You don’t let setbacks discourage you; instead, you use them as motivation to do better.
This isn’t a habit per se, it’s more of a mindset. But it’s something that’s been shaped by your upbringing, by watching your parents persevere in the face of adversity and never giving up.
And let me tell you, this mindset is a game-changer. It gives you the resilience to face whatever life throws at you and the courage to chase your dreams, no matter how big they may be.
7. You’re adaptable
One of the best things about growing up in a lower middle-class family is that you learn to adapt. You see change not as a threat, but as an opportunity for growth.
Whether it’s moving houses, switching schools or even changing jobs, you’re not afraid of change. You understand that sometimes, change is necessary for growth and progress.
This ability to adapt isn’t something you consciously develop. It’s a skill that’s honed over years of dealing with uncertainty and making the most of whatever life throws at you.
And guess what? This adaptability is a huge asset. It allows you to thrive in any situation and seize opportunities that others might miss.
8. You’re grateful
Above all, if you’ve grown up in a lower middle-class family, you understand the importance of gratitude.
You’re not just grateful for the big wins or the grand gestures. You’re grateful for the everyday blessings – a roof over your head, food on your table, and the love of your family.
Gratitude isn’t a habit you consciously adopt. It’s a lifestyle. It’s a perspective shaped by years of appreciating what you have, rather than longing for what you don’t.
This habit of gratitude is perhaps the most powerful of them all. It brings joy to your life, fosters positivity, and attracts abundance.
Wrapping up
If you grew up in a lower middle-class family, chances are these habits became second nature without you even realizing it.
They’ve shaped how you approach challenges, manage resources, and find gratitude in everyday moments. While others might see them as quirks, you know they’re the tools that keep you grounded and resilient.
These habits aren’t just a reflection of your upbringing—they’re proof of how much you’ve learned and grown. They remind you that success isn’t always about abundance but about making the most of what you have. And honestly, that’s a kind of wisdom money can’t buy.
