People like to think that money doesn’t define a person, but growing up rich or poor has a way of shaping how someone sees the world.
It’s about more than the wealth itself; it’s also about the opportunities, struggles, and expectations that come with it. The way someone views work, relationships, security, and even their own self-worth is often rooted in the financial environment they were raised in. These are just some of the ways growing up with money (or without it) changes the person someone becomes.
1. How they view money itself
For people who grew up wealthy, money is often seen as a tool — something that provides options, security, and comfort. It’s not something they obsess over because they’ve never had to worry about it. There’s an assumption that money will always be there in some form.
For those raised in poverty, money is survival. It’s something that determines whether they eat, whether the bills get paid, and whether they have a roof over their heads. The value of every penny is understood because they’ve seen what happens when there’s not enough of it.
2. Their sense of financial security
People who grew up with wealth tend to feel financially secure, even if they’re not rich as adults. They know they have a safety net, whether it’s family support, investments, or just the knowledge that they can always figure things out.
Those who grew up poor often struggle to feel financially secure, even if they later become successful. There’s always that underlying fear that it could all disappear. They might save obsessively, avoid taking financial risks, or never feel truly comfortable spending money.
3. Their attitude toward work
For those raised in wealthier households, work is often about finding something fulfilling rather than just making ends meet. They’ve been encouraged to chase passions, explore careers, and think long-term about success.
For those who grew up poor, work is about necessity. It’s not always about what they want to do; it’s about what pays the bills. Hard work is often seen as the only way to survive, and career choices are made based on stability rather than passion.
4. Their approach to risk-taking
People raised with money are often more comfortable taking risks. Whether it’s starting a business, travelling the world, or trying something new, they know that if things go wrong, they’ll have something to fall back on.
Those who grew up poor tend to be more cautious. When failure means serious consequences, taking risks feels like a luxury. They might avoid opportunities that aren’t guaranteed to work out because they can’t afford to take the hit.
5. How they handle failure
Wealthier kids are often taught that failure is just part of learning. If they mess up, there’s usually someone there to support them, whether it’s parents, connections, or financial resources that help them bounce back.
For those raised in poverty, failure can feel catastrophic. There’s no safety net, so one mistake — losing a job, making a bad investment, or falling behind on bills — can send everything spiralling. This can make them more afraid to try new things.
6. Their level of confidence
Growing up with money often leads to a quiet confidence. When you’ve always had access to opportunities, it’s easier to believe you can achieve whatever you set your mind to.
People who grew up poor may have confidence in their resilience, but they often struggle with imposter syndrome. They’ve had to prove themselves over and over again, and even when they succeed, they may feel like they don’t belong in certain spaces.
7. Their views on generosity
Wealthy people are often raised to donate or give back, but their understanding of generosity can be abstract; it’s more about writing a cheque than truly understanding struggle.
Those who grew up without money often have a much more personal approach to generosity. When you’ve experienced need firsthand, you tend to help in tangible ways, whether it’s sharing food, offering a place to stay, or making sure someone else doesn’t struggle like you did.
8. Their expectations about lifestyle
For those raised in wealth, certain comforts are just a given. Holidays, eating out, quality healthcare, and higher education are all things they expect, not things they have to fight for.
For those raised in poverty, nothing is guaranteed. Every meal, every bill, and every opportunity feels like something that has to be earned. They don’t take stability for granted because they’ve seen how fragile it can be.
9. Their relationships with people from different backgrounds
People raised in wealthier circles often spend most of their time around other people like them, making it harder to truly understand financial struggle. Even if they’re kind and open-minded, they may not fully grasp the challenges of poverty.
Those who grew up poor are usually more adaptable. They’ve interacted with people from all walks of life, whether it’s through work, school, or daily survival. They tend to read people well and navigate different social situations with ease.
10. Their attitude toward education
For wealthier families, education is a stepping stone, not a question. University is expected, and getting a degree is often about networking and opening doors rather than just securing a job.
For those raised in poverty, education is a privilege and a gamble. The cost is a major factor, and higher education is often seen as a financial risk rather than a guarantee of success. Many grow up believing that skills and experience matter more than formal qualifications.
11. How they handle unexpected expenses
Growing up with money means unexpected expenses aren’t really a crisis. Car repair? Medical bill? It’s inconvenient, but it’s not life-altering.
For those who grew up poor, surprise expenses can be devastating. Even when they’re financially stable as adults, that stress response never fully goes away — they always feel like they need to prepare for disaster.
12. Their relationship with material things
People who grew up with money don’t usually place deep emotional value on possessions. If something breaks, it gets replaced. If they lose something, it’s an inconvenience, not a tragedy.
Those who grew up in poverty often form strong attachments to material things because they’ve had so little. Whether it’s holding onto old clothes, never wasting food, or keeping items long past their usefulness, it comes from a place of not knowing when they’ll have enough again.
13. How they view financial success
For those raised with money, financial success is expected, not celebrated. It’s just part of the natural order of things, and if they’re struggling, it’s seen as a temporary setback.
For those who grew up poor, financial success feels like a huge deal. It’s something to be proud of, but it also comes with guilt, pressure, and the feeling that they need to take care of everyone around them.
14. Their definition of happiness
Wealthier people often tie happiness to experiences—travel, personal growth, and self-discovery. They expect life to be fulfilling beyond just survival.
Those raised in poverty often define happiness in simpler terms — security, a stable home, and the ability to provide for loved ones. While both groups want to be happy, their priorities are shaped by what they had — or didn’t have — growing up.
