12 Money Superstitions That Make You Poorer

Introduction. Money is shrouded in many signs, beliefs and traditions that people pass from generation to generation, sometimes without thinking about their meaning. “Don’t lend in the evening, otherwise you will lose all your luck”, “Do not raise your wallet from the land – this is to poverty”, “You can not count money on Monday ...” The list of such “prohibitions” may be impressive, but how much do they help, or, on the contrary, prevent sober thinking and taking care of your financial well-being?

Studies in behavioral economics (e.g., data from APA and a number of financial institutions) show that our beliefs and habits often influence our wallets more than objective circumstances. Some of these myths or superstitions literally teach us to passivity, shifting the responsibility for well-being to “higher powers” or “luck” rather than our own actions. In this article, we’ll talk about 12 common money-related superstitions that can stunt your growth, and how to get rid of them by building a healthier and more mindful attitude toward finance.



1. You can’t borrow money at night.
It is believed that if you lend (or repay) after sunset, you “pass” along with the money your luck. In fact, there is no evidence that the time of day affects the outcome of financial transactions. Moreover, in the modern world with round-the-clock bank transfers, such a restriction loses all meaning.

• Why it gets in the way: You can miss the opportunity to help a person or get a percentage from a profitable loan. Attachment to “prohibitions” deprives you of flexibility and rationality.

2. "Empty wallet to poverty"
Some believe that it is necessary to keep at least one large bill in your wallet to “bait” money. From a psychological point of view, having “start-up bills” can give you confidence, but in itself does not improve your financial status. It is more important to manage income and expenses.

• How to let go: Instead of a mystical amulet, learn to keep track of finances. This is more effective than any superstition about bills.

3. “You can’t whistle in the house, there’s no money.”
In the Slavic tradition, the ingrained prohibition: “do not whistle – there will be no money.” In fact, whistling (like many other rituals) has no correlation with financial success. But sometimes people are so afraid to violate this "notice" that they deliberately limit themselves in harmless actions, forgetting about the real factors of wealth - education, work, savings.

• Remember: If you overemphasize signs, you may miss out on real opportunities to invest time and energy in something more important.

4. Put a coin in your shoes and you will be rich.
This tradition (some cultures put a coin under the insole for good luck) is only folklore. Yes, one can believe in symbolic action, but relying on it as a guarantor of wealth is naive. It is much more effective to know how to plan a budget, reduce debt and learn new skills.

• Why it's better to refuse: The hope for a “magic coin” reduces the motivation to develop financial competencies.

5. “Taking money kills luck.”
A common superstition is: “Don’t count money in front of someone or too often, or luck will get hurt and leave you.” In reality, control over your finances, revision of expenditure items, income analysis are the foundation of competent financial behavior. The more often you “see” the real picture of your funds, the better you can plan.

• Outcome: Systematic accounting, rather than “mystical prohibition,” helps to consciously manage money. Stop being afraid to count, learn to really understand your possibilities.

6. “If a black cat runs, the deal will fail.”
The old omen about the “black cat that crossed the road” for more than a century frightens people doing business. However, there is no causal relationship between the actions of the animal on the street and your transaction. Rather, there is the effect of a self-fulfilling prophecy: you or your partners become nervous, acting insecurely.

• Council: Instead of spying on cats, it is better to ensure the legal purity of contracts and the quality of negotiations.

7. “You can’t lift your wallet off the ground, it’s someone else’s trouble.”
Some people believe that finding a wallet with money is unfortunate. In reality, if you find someone’s money, it’s best (in terms of honesty and morality) to try to return it to the owner or give it to the police (depending on the situation). The moral side of the issue is not directly related to the “curse”.

• Warning: This belief forms a passive attitude: “It is better not to touch, but what if trouble?” But taking care of things and trying to return them to the owner is what strengthens your karma and social reputation.

8. You can’t spend money on Monday, you’ll be poor all week.
Monday is not a magical day that defines the future. Financial management knows no time limits. If you have to pay your bill on Monday, do it. To force yourself into a narrow time frame “can” or “can’t” is a way to create unnecessary stress.

• What really works: Regularity and planning. Choose convenient days for payments, but based on rational considerations, not fear.

9. “If you put a pen down in the corner, the money won’t go away.”
Ancient rituals with brooms, brooms, threads and other household items are common in different cultures. But financial success, alas, does not depend on the direction of the broom handle. It depends on how well you invest and how you manage your expenses.

• Conclusion: Look for rational principles (financial accounting, market analysis) rather than mystical guesswork.

10. You cannot give your money through the door.
It is believed that if you pass a bill or wallet through the doorstep, you will “fight with money”. In fact, this is just a popular belief, which has no real confirmation. In the era of translation and the digital economy, the boundaries of “thresholds” are completely erased.

• Important: Not so much “how and where” you transmit, but “how consciously” you manage finances (loan, return, interest, agreements).

11. You made it up: if there is no money, then it is not fate.
The extreme version of superstition is “wealth is born” or “for some fate smiled, for others not.” This justifies inaction, unwillingness to develop or try new opportunities. This setup closes the door to gaining skills and finding opportunities.

• Psychological trap: A person blames failure on “karma” or “lack of destiny”, when in fact the reason is a lack of knowledge, skills or underestimation of their abilities.

12. “The bill fell to the floor – the loss of money”
Many of us adhere to petty superstitions, they say, dropped the receipt, so there will be extra costs. The problem is that by focusing on such trifles, we are distracted from real financial discipline – for example, delaying the payment of loans or not watching the timing of the zero balance sheet.

• Alternative: It’s better to pay attention to automating payments, setting reminders than worrying about a piece of paper on the floor.

How “debunking” superstitions helps you become richer
When a person stops relying on mystical prohibitions and rituals, they move to a more constructive approach to financial matters. What is the specific benefit of “liberating” these myths?

• Conscious planning: You’re not afraid to “count the money” or “pay on Monday,” so do everything on time and without panic.
• More flexible response: If the deal is profitable and safe, you don’t give it up because “you can’t whistle” or “the time is wrong.”
• Reducing anxiety: Many superstitions fuel fear and guilt. By giving up, you feel more light and confident.
• Increasing financial literacy: You begin to learn the real tools: savings, investing, insurance, not amulets and conspiracies.

Conclusion
Money superstitions are a kind of “mythological part” of our mentality that can form limiting beliefs and distract from real financial strategy. When we give it a decisive value ("Don't count the money, otherwise the luck will go away", "Don't lend at night"), we replace common sense and planning with irrational fears. Yes, traditions can be an interesting part of culture, but if they “make us poorer,” it’s time to rethink their impact on everyday decisions.

True financial growth comes from a combination of factors: personal responsibility, the ability to save and increase capital, an understanding of how interest and investment work, and a psychological willingness to learn and take risks consciously. All this is based on real knowledge and experience, not on mystical signs. If you want to improve your well-being, first of all, free yourself from the superstitions that constrain your thinking and kill your initiative. Instead of accepting the kitchen will be a thoughtful budget, instead of fear of a “bad day” – flexible schedule and readiness for opportunities, and instead of amulets – financial management skills.

Ultimately, the ability to look at money soberly, plan and make informed decisions is the best “magical formula” for wealth. Allow yourself to throw away old myths and make way for real actions that can really make you richer, not only materially, but also morally, psychologically.