THE BROKEN WALLET

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Habits That Make Me Feel Rich

I don’t chase luxury for the sake of it, but I do love when life feels full and calm.

These habits aren’t about looking rich — they’re about feeling content, having ease in your day-to-day, and enjoying your space, your time, and your things. That’s true wealth to me.

None of this cost a fortune, but each habit can add something meaningful to life.

1. I always have a “go-to” meal I actually enjoy at home

For the longest time, I thought the only way to make meals feel enjoyable was to eat out. I used to spend so much money trying to “treat myself,” but now I’ve realized that comfort and satisfaction don’t require a delivery fee.

I’ve created a couple of go-to meals that are affordable, filling, and genuinely good. I know exactly how to season them to my taste, and I always keep the ingredients on hand. It’s not fancy, but it’s dependable and comforting. When I come home tired or just want something easy, I don’t panic or scroll through takeout apps. I just make my favorite meal.

It sounds small, but it makes me feel like I’ve got things handled. There’s a quiet power in knowing your kitchen works for you. I feel taken care of, by me. And the money I save each week just by having this one habit? It adds up fast. No sacrifice, no bland food, just a little prep and a reliable routine that makes me feel at home in my space.

2. I use the “elevated basics” rule

One of the biggest shifts in how I spend is choosing to upgrade the things I touch every single day.

I don’t buy a bunch of stuff. I just invest a little more into things like my sheets, a sturdy water bottle I love, a couple of soft t-shirts that always fit right, and even my dish sponge (yes, seriously). These aren’t luxury items, but they’re items I use constantly, and they add a small dose of comfort to the mundane.

It makes a difference. Drinking water from a glass I like or writing with a pen that glides smoothly might not change the world, but it changes how I move through mine. My environment doesn’t need to scream luxury. It just needs to reflect care. I’m not buying more, I’m buying better. And that simple shift makes me feel like I’m living thoughtfully, not cheaply.

3. I never let my space get too cluttered

Clutter used to sneak up on me. One day the counter had a few extra things, and the next, I was overwhelmed just walking through my space. It took time, but I’ve built the habit of resetting my space regularly. I don’t mean deep cleaning every day. I just make a point to put things back where they belong, donate what I’m not using, and give myself room to breathe.

When my space is clear, I think more clearly. I move more slowly. I don’t feel like I’m dodging visual noise everywhere I turn. It makes my home feel like a retreat, even when it’s small or nothing’s been remodeled. That clean countertop, that made bed, that clutter-free corner, it creates a mood. It makes everything feel a little more peaceful and a little more mine.

4. I batch errands and chores 

Time wealth is a real thing, and one way I protect mine is by planning ahead.

I batch tasks so I’m not constantly reacting. That means I grocery shop once a week with a list, I group returns and errands into one trip, and I set a day for laundry instead of letting it pile up all week.

It sounds basic, but this structure gives me flexibility. I’m not scrambling, and I’m not constantly playing catch-up. I give myself windows to rest, time to be spontaneous, and space to think. Managing my time well is one of the most underrated ways to feel rich. 

Most people think of “freedom” as a financial goal. But freedom also shows up in your calendar, in your routines, and in how you spend your Tuesday afternoons. This habit reminds me that I run my life, not the other way around.

5. I put flowers or greenery in my space (real or fake)

I used to think fresh flowers were a luxury, something you only bought for guests or special occasions. But now? I pick up flowers  when I can, and I’ve also found some great faux plants that don’t look cheesy. Just having that little touch of green, that pop of life in a room, lifts the energy instantly.

I place them in corners I walk by often — my kitchen counter, my desk, my bathroom vanity. It makes the space feel alive and cared for. And honestly, it makes me feel cared for. That little burst of beauty, even when nothing else in the house is spotless, feels grounding.

6. I keep a wish list instead of impulse shopping

I used to impulse buy to “treat myself,” but often, the feeling didn’t last. Now, I pause. When I see something I want, I don’t tell myself no, I just put it on a mental list. Sometimes I go back to it and buy it a week or a month later. But most of the time? I forget I even wanted it.

This habit changed the way I spend. It gives me space to figure out if I actually want something, or if I just liked the idea of it for five minutes. And when I do buy it, it feels like a treat I chose and not something I regret. I enjoy the purchase more because I was intentional.

7. I light candles

There’s something about candlelight that just slows everything down. I used to save my candles for guests or weekends, but now I light them on random evenings. I’ll burn one while journaling, watching YouTube, or folding clothes. It turns a regular night into a cozy one.

Candles are one of the easiest ways to shift the energy in a room. Scented or not, they change the vibe. They make things feel intentional, even if the rest of the day was chaotic. It’s a small act of care that tells me, “You deserve peace right now.”

8. I give everything I own a home

When things don’t have a place, I feel like I’m always searching, shifting, or stepping around stuff. So I’ve made it a rule: everything I keep needs a home. That means I know where my chargers are, where the scissors go, and where I’m putting my receipts. It cuts down stress like nothing else.

There’s a deep calm in knowing where things are. It makes cleaning easier. It makes my space feel bigger. And most of all, it makes me feel like I’m running my home, not getting swallowed by it.

9. I choose quality over quantity, especially in routines

I’ve trimmed down a lot of the “extras” in my life, not to live with less, but to live better. Instead of five mediocre skincare products, I’ve got three I trust. Instead of bouncing between five different bags, I use one or two that match everything and hold up.

This mindset has helped me stop wasting money on things that wear out quickly or don’t work. I’m more patient now. I wait for the right thing, I research, and I invest in what will serve me long-term. It doesn’t mean everything I own is fancy. It just means everything has a purpose.

10. I make time for rest without guilt

Rest used to feel like something I had to earn. I’d only relax after I checked everything off the to-do list — and even then, I’d feel a little guilty. But I’ve slowly learned that real wealth includes time to breathe. Now I schedule rest on purpose. Slow mornings. No-alarm Sundays. Walks without my phone.

And the crazy thing? I get more done now. Because I’m not running on fumes. I’ve built space into my life for recovery, and it shows up in how calm I feel, how creative I am, and how much I enjoy the little moments.