Being “broke” in 2026 doesn’t always look like empty bank accounts.
Sometimes, it looks like grabbing extra ketchup packets… or waiting for payday instead of touching your savings.
A new survey from Lenspricer.com asked more than 3,000 people, including Ohioans, to share the small habits they’ve picked up to stretch their budgets. What they found isn’t necessarily extreme hardship, but something more relatable: everyday, quiet decisions that add up.
At the top of the list? Ohioans say they’d rather wait for their next paycheck than dip into savings, even when money feels tight.
Other common “broke behaviors” include:
Reusing things longer than you probably should
Taking extra napkins or condiments for later
Avoiding delivery fees by picking up food yourself
Waiting days, or even weeks, for a sale
Some habits lean a little more serious.
The study found people are also:
Delaying doctor, dental, or eye appointments
Constantly checking their bank account
Using public Wi-Fi to save data
And in some cases, behaviors drift into a gray area, like forgetting to scan an item at self-checkout or sharing subscription logins.
The biggest place Ohioans cut back first? Eating out.
About 43% say dining and takeout are the first to go when money gets tight.
While many describe their finances as “careful and controlled,” others say things feel unpredictable, highlighting how common these habits have become.
