What’s something that screams ‘I’m broke, but trying to look rich’

[Booyakashaa]

Saw thing on Instagram threads, mostly Americans, would love to see what MN’ers think

Just for fun

I think…anything Michael Kors

Big logos in clothes

High levels of interest in the possessions and finances of others. The need to compare indicates insecurity with one's own position. The need to gauge what others percieve as 'broke' indicates a desire to avoid making those errors oneself.
Criticism and performance superiority about some aspects of spending - certain cars, designer items, grooming - to ensure everyone is aware you don't have them because you think they're flashy/dated/unpleasant/only for broke people, lest they think you don't have them because you can't afford them.

No, I go there every week, believe me, it's value for money. It compares very well to other supermarkets, the quality is consistently good and we have virtually no food waste.
Again, it's personal choice.

And there are a LOT of posts spluttering about the fact they have such a thing and ^they* aren’t poor. Which in itself is a sign of insecurity. Wealthy people tend to care not a jot.

I agree! What a pathetic thread

The biggest telltale sign in women is when they're overly groomed everywhere (loads of makeup, hair done, acrylic nails, accessories, bag) but have very bad teeth. Includes crooked and discoloured teeth or really badly done, ultra white turkey veneers.

With the obvious exception of quirky old aristocrats who don't give a toss about teeth, dental work is one of the most discreetly expensive things you can show without having to wearing a flashy watch or bag. It's also a giveaway for spending habits, as someone with "poor" mindset tends to spend small amounts that bring instant gratification (nails, hair, makeup), rather than spending a large amount of money for a process that also entails a lot of pain and discipline.

Ha I’m definitely not broke but I did grow up poor as fuck and so I can see it a mile away and think it’s sad how much effort people put in to trying to prove that they’re not.

Yes, even more. You won't get a terraced house in Islington or Tufnell Park for less than that, never mind Hampstead or Notting Hill!

Those are the funniest posts. Oh no, I live in a terraced house and I am so smart my house is worth at least 1 million, donchaknow
😆

It is a shame to be so embarrassed about yourself and your circumstances.

Definitely quite a lot of sneering.

It's a sliding scale, isn't it? People who live in terraced houses are too poor for range rovers. People who can't afford to fly first class are just showing off with their hair extensions. Kids who save up and buy new brand trainers are just failing to look like the real rich. No matter how large or small the purchase, you're too poor for it and getting above yourself in someone's eyes.

For me I think it's volume.

if someone has one Louis Vuitton bag and there's no other screaming labels about them then it seems ...normal (wealthy?) person

but it's when someone has that LV bag, balenciaga trainers, t shirt with whatever designer name in big branding, van cleef and arpels piece(s), Moncler jacket, Gucci wallet, Cartier bracelet and Chanel sunglasses...

...when they're on the 18:42 train to Bolton...

..in standard class.

Meanwhile someone who is honestly wealthy is more likely to be still using her Mulberry Roxanne bag circa 2011, her wallet a beat up worn in leather Longchamp that her mum gave to her as a hand-me-down eons ago, driving an inconspicuous bog standard car, and while they could drop £20k on a van cleef necklace for every day, their daily piece is a one from an independent little silversmith in Cornwall on holiday two years ago

I was surprised at how the prices compare to other large supermarkets. I don't eat food, but my family do and the quality of the meat, fruit and veg is very good.

But! I went in one on holiday and it was a lot of fun. 🤩.

Yes, that's what I've found. Also, their own brands are excellent value. It's not like Fortnums, plenty of ordinary people go there!

I think people who aren't rich but are trying to look it are quite likely to start a thread pointing at other people and how they're not up to standard. Reeks of insecurity, tbh.

I've never had my nails done and wouldn't know a fake designer handbag if it fell on me, but if people do little things that make them happy then good for them.

But why describe that second person as "honestly" wealthy? They have money and they come from money and they are signalling those things with their possessions.

The other person may or may not have more money than it has taken to accumulate their designer wardrobe, but there is nothing dishonest in that. And there's no reason to assume they want to look like old money, or are in any way inferior to old money.

Are we really saying it's in some way a pretence to wear designer clothes if you live in Bolton and don't travel first class?

If we are, I'd think more of your first person for not giving a damn about that standard

It’s simply a thread to bash the poor. Everything that is being described here is a certain demographic. It’s very sad.

This. Most things mentioned so far on this thread cost a lot of money!

I'm a relatively high earner and I wouldn't spend my money on Botox or personalised number plates or designer bags because I'd rather spend it on nice food and activities for my kids.

I imagine that people who actually are broke aren't spending their money on these things because they can't afford it.

A bit off topic. But I was watching Seth Meyers with my bf and he was telling the story about how his child was born in the lobby. My bf said that he would have thought a rich person would live in a house. In Manhattan? I'm sure he is slumming it in a flat

I don’t think people who buy the odd piece of luxury whilst the rest of their attire is ‘budget’ are largely doing it to look rich. They do it because they want to feel like they own something nice that they like. No everything is a nefarious attempt to deceive.

Most people will have a few bags in the boot or have a load of them together at home

I don't see many people going through there bags thinking I need to take my Waitrose bag today as that's where I'm going

I just go to whichever store with whichever bag

One day I will take my Aldi bag to Harrods

That thread is so unkind.

It's all very well criticising people for sneering but the reality is many people can and do hugely overstretch themselves to buy things they feel will make them look a wealthy. There are mums at school who can never afford to do anything like holidays, clubs for their kids etc but drive a huge hulking great white SUV (and have to get to school an hour early to park it).

I'd say it's quite important we highlight the futility of these "status symbols" as it's a way of puncturing the worse excesses of capitalism.

Stopping caring about whether something makes you look rich isn't the preserve of the wealthy. And it's hugely liberating. So why shouldn't we talk about it?

Although I we should also talk about the "middle class" brands people overstretch to buy so they can feel superior....

Quite! I wanted to "funny" the post about taking the right bag for life to the right shop.