Money problems aren’t always about income. Sometimes, it’s your thinking that keeps you stuck. You might be doing all the right things – tracking expenses, cutting costs, saving where you can – but still feel broke.
That’s because the real issue could be your broke mindset. And until you fix it, no budget will truly work.
Let’s break down what a broke mindset looks like, how it silently sabotages your goals, and what you can do to change it.
What Is a Broke Mindset?
A broke mindset isn’t about how much you earn. It’s how you think about money. It’s the belief that you’ll always be broke, that saving is useless, or that money is evil.
This mindset shows up in small, daily habits:
- Telling yourself “I deserve this” after every small stress
- Avoiding your bank app because it feels scary
- Thinking saving RM5 is pointless
- Saying “I’m just not good with money”
These thoughts may sound harmless, but they add up. They shape your actions and create the same result month after month: no savings, no progress, just stress.
How the Broke Mindset Keeps You Poor
The truth is, your mindset decides how far your money can go.
A broke mindset will:
- Make you believe you can’t improve
- Keep you in survival mode
- Encourage emotional spending
- Push you to compare and copy others
- Stop you from planning ahead
This mindset leads to poor decisions – even if your income increases. That’s why many people with higher salaries still live paycheck to paycheck.
Break the “Scarcity” Loop
One of the core beliefs of a broke mindset is scarcity. You believe there’s never enough:
- Not enough money
- Not enough time
- Not enough luck
This mindset causes panic. It makes you grab small pleasures instead of focusing on long-term gains. You buy fast food because cooking feels “not worth it.” You skip saving because “RM10 won’t matter.”
But here’s the truth: RM10 saved daily is RM3,650 a year. Small things grow – but your mindset must let them.
Stop Saying “I Deserve This”
Yes, you work hard. But if your reward system is always spending, you’re reinforcing the broke mindset.
Saying “I deserve this” after every stress purchase might feel empowering – but long-term, it keeps you stuck.
Instead, flip the script:
- “I deserve peace of mind.”
- “I deserve a savings cushion.”
- “I deserve freedom from debt.”
Reward yourself with progress, not impulse buys.
Don’t Wait to “Make More”
A broke mindset often says: “I’ll start saving when I earn more.”
But the reality? If you can’t manage RM1,000, you won’t magically manage RM10,000. More money doesn’t fix poor habits – it amplifies them.
Start where you are. Even RM1 a day builds discipline. And discipline is what protects wealth – not salary.
Upgrade Your Language, Upgrade Your Mind
Watch how you speak about money. Words matter. A lot.
Replace:
- “I’m broke” with “I’m budgeting”
- “I can’t afford it” with “It’s not a priority right now”
- “I’m bad with money” with “I’m learning better money habits”
Your brain believes what you tell it. Speak in ways that build confidence and control.
Take Back Control With Small Wins
The fastest way to break a broke mindset? Small wins. They prove to your brain that change is possible.
Try this:
- Save RM5 in a jar daily
- Track every expense for 7 days
- Cook 3 meals at home this week
- Sell one unused item online
These actions seem small, but they break the “I can’t” cycle. You show yourself that progress is possible – even now.
Final Thoughts: Change Your Mind to Change Your Money
The broke mindset isn’t your fault – but it is your responsibility to change it.
You don’t need a big salary, perfect budget, or fancy tools to start. You need belief. You need intention. And you need to stop thinking like a broke person.
Every RM saved is a decision. Every decision is a step. And every step is a move toward freedom.
You can shift your mindset. You can build real wealth. You just need to stop believing that being broke is permanent.
Follow CashTacticsMY for more honest, relatable money advice – made for Malaysians who want real change without all the fluff.