Feb 28, 2026

7 Habits That Keep Many Americans Poor, According to Jaspreet Singh

Written by Chris Cluff
|
Edited by Chris Cluff
Contactless payment with debit card, coffee shop open after lockdown.

Certain habits could be holding you back financially and keeping you poor. The goal is determining which actions are holding you back from saving money.



Financial guru Jaspreet Singh frequently weighs in on matters of fiscal responsibility and he has outlined seven habits that keep the majority of Americans poor.

When you have an expensive car, you have to spend money on premium gas, insurance, and maintenance. The expenses associated with a fancy car will add up quickly and hurt your bank account. You spend more money on everything associated with your vehicle, so you have less to invest in your future.

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You drive around a vehicle that’s losing money every single month. You’re spending money on something that won’t build your future. You should invest the funds allocated to your monthly car payments into the stock market to help you retire more comfortably. Singh doesn’t want you spending money on a depreciating asset like a vehicle.

Singh argued that the home you live in isn’t a true asset since you’re purchasing this home as a place to stay in. It’s not technically an investment since you’re living in this residence instead of renting it out. You must spend money on your mortgage and all the costs tied to home ownership.

Singh wants you to treat your home like a liability so that you can continue investing money outside of your primary residence. You don’t want to stretch yourself too thin by applying for a mortgage that consumes most of your household income.



Singh stressed the importance of getting compound interest on your side so that your money grows for you over time. It’s easy to let life get in the way as you get your first job and settle down by building a family. You don’t want to get caught up in a trap where you keep on putting off investing.

While an influencer typically gets paid to flaunt their possessions, the average person will spend money on luxury items that keep them broke. If you’re not getting paid to wear high-end brands, you should think twice about spending the money on them. If you’re struggling with your bills, you should be focused on your investments instead of trying to look rich.

Singh pointed out how people will worry about spending money on a cup of coffee instead of chasing the big financial wins. He urges viewers to go after the bigger issues like housing and transportation when trying to save money.

Singh pointed out that many people will act like they deserve to have expensive items — even though they can’t afford them. Instead of telling yourself that you deserve these treats, you should stick to the realities of what your bank account can afford. If you can’t afford something, you shouldn’t buy it.

Singh discussed how too many people get too emotional about wealth instead of trying to learn from financial success stories. He wants viewers to focus on trying to understand success instead of getting upset by the results of others who have achieved tremendous things.



This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.

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Written by
Chris Cluff
Edited by
Chris Cluff