I Act Poor, You Act Rich, and We’re Both Liars

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

Unlock the keys to true wealth and abundance. Discover why money isn’t everything and how mindset and self-perception play a crucial role in financial success.

Your Movie Begins The Minute You Play The Lead

Have you ever noticed that some people have money but never talk about it, and others have nothing and boast about their wealth?

Yes, me too, and I believe the reasoning behind this starts with the person inside and the role they choose to play.

Stop for a moment and think about what you would like your movie trailer to look like when you look back on life.

Your life is a movie, and everyone’s watching, but only the people who choose to watch, and often it’s the people you wish would just fall asleep in the theatre.

Sometimes, we think more people invest in the person we’ve become than there is.

Just because you glam, frost, or suit up doesn’t mean you’ll attract the attention you believe you should.

It may just see you waiting in line at the food bank for your next meal if you don’t wake up.

They say that to become rich, you have to be making money in your sleep, and that’s how it’s done.

I know a few people who go to bed at night, and the money is still rolling in.

In part, they live the life their bank account allows, but you wouldn’t often know it.

Related: How money changes the way we act and think

I’ve come to believe that no matter what role we choose to play, it’s all psychological because we create the lines.

Your movie will either be a box hit or an epic fail. There is no in-between, especially when you’re playing the role of your life, and the only person who cares is YOU.

Acting Poor vs. Being Poor

I’m a huge fan of motivational quotes, especially ones that stick in my mind and force me to ask myself questions.

I’m not sure who came up with, “I act poor, you act rich, we’re both liars,” but one thing is for sure: it’s true.

You can stay rich by acting broke and continue being broke by working like you’re rich.

It sunk into my mind because, over the past 20 years, I’ve been on a financial roller-coaster with and without my wife.

Back in the UK, when I was at University and working, I had money in the bank because I was a frugal saver.

If I could get something for free or reduced cost, I would have my nose stuck there.

Going out with my friends would see my lead role looking for deals or coupons.

Often I suggested coming to my place for dinner and heading out to save money.

I could cook an entire meal for the cost of one meal had we eaten out.

Having a few drinks at the house instead of paying for drinks at the pub made more sense to me, but not everyone agreed.

My friends knew I worked but thought I was on the edge of being poor because of my spending and saving habits.

My cupboards were bare, and I lived day-to-day.

That was the role I chose because I wanted to become rich but in the sense of not having to worry about money.

I’m still not a fancy guy today; jeans and T-shirts are my friends.

It was never about millions of dollars; it was just financial freedom from everyday worry.

They never really questioned me, and I never really brought it up.

Sometimes you think you know your friends, but do you?

Setting The Stage For Your Movie Premiere

At 21, I had no debt and was purchasing my first home, so I wasn’t poor and rich, but I sure acted like I was broke for good reason.

I didn’t want to be.

The struggle is real, especially when you grow up in a household where money is a big issue due to a lack of it.

My parents were and still are very frugal because that was the only way we could get by and make sure the bills were paid.

They weren’t acting poor; they were living pay to pay and stashing away a bit here and there, even if it were a few pounds.

I don’t know what poor means to you, and I know that anyone reading this might have considerations about what being poor or rich indicates.

You see, what one person believes is rich, another believes is poor, and vice-versa. You will never have a precise answer unless you bring it to the max.

In this case, the people with low income would have nothing, and the rich would have all the money they want.

That’s the high and the low of people whose income is below the poverty level and rich situation of extremity.

I find it odd that we all take the rich and poor to different heights; however, that’s how we relate finance to the world today.

Some people go above and beyond being rich or poor and pretend to be something they are not.

Acting Rich vs. Being Rich

You can pretend to be rich when you are poor or pretend to be poor when you are rich.

Which would you rather be?

The answer is pretty straightforward to me only if I had to choose one.

Why would anyone want to put themselves into debt to look rich?

Who knows, perhaps for more likes on social media, an abundance of friends and followers, or for mere attention seeking.

Perhaps it just makes them feel good when living the lavish life becomes more of a movie than it does reality.

I’d rather pretend I was poor and relate to real issues that the world faces today.

In a traditional sense, poor people won’t be able to save when they have nothing to save. However, it’s your poor that matters, no one else.

Save what you can and continue to find more ways to bank your freedom.

No one can tell you what you are or what you aren’t.

You can lie to yourself about how much money you have in the bank and whether creditors are calling you or bankers are rolling out the red carpet.

In all essence, not many people care.

When Mrs. CBB met me, she thought I was frugal to the extreme.

However, her extreme meant that I didn’t spend as much on things as she did even though she believed she was economical.

You never really win in the game of who’s rich and who’s poor or more prosperous or poorer.

Accept the role you choose to play and accept the consequences, of the outcome.

When Money Takes Over Your Life

Let’s take a man or woman who strives to be successful but is not quite at the top of their game.

This might mean they haven’t found the career they want or movement up the ladder has stalled.

When they graduate, some people have this money mindset, especially when it’s attached to a sought-after degree or diploma.

What happens is that when this mindset turns on, the person worries about what everyone else thinks rather than what they feel about themselves.

This is where money becomes more of a game than it does reality.

So, you’ve just graduated from school to be a police officer but’re struggling to find a job.

In the meantime, you play up the “I’m going to be a police officer” role.

You think it’s right to do so, so others view you as successful, but you’re not quite there yet.

Pretending that you’ve got money to spend is all in your head because it’s not reality and may never be.

Buying the latest gadgets, cars, clothing, and money talk is a time waster.

Spend your time wisely looking for a job that pays the bills or upgrading your education and skills.

I hope that makes sense.

Some people pretend they went to school and graduated, then max out credit cards and sell everything they own to portray a rich lifestyle.

It becomes a revolving door of I’m rich, but I’m not rich, which means I’m a big liar.

They might not see it that way until they are poor or homeless, to the abovementioned extremity.

Pretending You’re Poor

Honestly, I’d rather just be happy without debt and play out my life as it was meant to be.

You can choose to create the life you want, but nothing matters if you’re not happy with the truth.

All the riches won’t bring you happiness if you know in the back of your mind you’re not rich, and just the lead actor.

The same goes for pretending you are poor because you miss opportunities and experiences you can afford but choose not to.

Ultimately, I’d rather be the poor person because no amount of money can bring you happiness.

If you choose to act poor or rich, you also accept the consequences of your actions.

Having money doesn’t mean you care about experiencing life from the top of the mountain.

Sometimes, wandering around the bottom offers a greater perspective than anything above.

You can’t continue to live a lavish life when you can’t afford it, so if you think your movie will have a happy ending, think again.

The person who gets lucky wins the lottery, inherits cash, or gets their dream job has options.

These opportunities allow them to pay off the debts they incurred playing the rich person role, but only if they’re done playing.

Money Today vs. Yesterday

Growing up, we may not have had everything, and to some degree, moviegoers may have considered us poor.

However, my family managed to create fun experiences that didn’t cost us lots of money.

Then again, some may have regarded us as wealthy.

Who cares what anyone thinks?

That’s our mindset as we continue in the same footsteps and teach our son the value of money.

When he gets older and begins his movie, he can choose what role he wants to play.

Unfortunately, we have no say in where it starts and how it ends.

All you can do is hope and pray that your kids are happy and that the values you taught them carry into their adult lives.

Starting A New Chapter

No matter where you stand, whether you’re the person who acts poor but is rich or acts rich but is poor, consider the consequences of your actions.

There’s no harm in restarting the movie but with a happier ending.

Real life is far better than fiction, especially when you have money but become a saver.

You don’t need to ACT.

All you need to do is LIVE within your means and balance happiness and experiences without praise from others.

Discussion: What does this mean to you? “I Act Poor You Act Rich, We’re Both Liars“?

Please leave me your comments below.

Thanks for reading,

Mr. CBB

CBB Readers

If you have a budget story you want to share with the CBB readers, please email me at canadianbudgetbinder@yahoo.ca, and your story may get featured next.

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