9 Dead Giveaways That Someone Isn’t as Rich as They’re Pretending To Be

There's no one-size-fits-all plan to get ahead financially, so it can be hard to figure out if your wealthy friend is really as well off as they pretend to be.

And while there are a few different reasons why someone may pretend to have more money than they do — including shame, trying to impress you, and the desire to live a life that doesn't match their earnings — there are a few red flags that can help you figure out whether or not their wealth is the real deal. 

Keep reading as we break down nine dead giveaways that someone isn't as rich as they're pretending to be.

Most of us enjoy the occasional vacation, but if someone is trying to cover up that they're broke, they might excessively drop money on trips — or at least try to look like they do.

Whether they're racking up credit card debt or just using every penny they have to keep up the facade of a "lifestyle of leisure," these individuals seem to be constantly taking expensive vacations.

People pretending to be rich see their credit cards as a one-way ticket to a better life. Maybe they weren't taught that credit card debt can be a slippery slope, or else they'd rather live luxuriously until their debt catches up with them.

Whatever the case, these types of individuals are often seen swiping credit cards like they won the lottery, but they're rarely seen paying them off.

Needing to replace an old phone is one thing, but a compulsion to always buy the newest iPhone is another.

Those who are covering up their pennilessness are drawn to flashy upgrades. Whether it's the newest phone, a brand new car, or even a new house, these types of people have to "keep up with the Joneses" regardless of their financial situation.

Those who are pretending to be rich typically spend their money in the now, while those who are actually building wealth are planning for the future.

People who fake having money aren't preparing for retirement or building up their emergency savings funds, and they typically see little worth in planning for their future, since their goal is to look rich in the present.

For most of us, saving money is a relief. Using coupons, cashing in on travel rewards, or returning faulty items at the store brings us financial peace.

Those pretending to be rich aren't interested in saving money. They might seem uninterested in living a more frugal lifestyle, turning down coupons, and neglecting to take advantage of return policies. In the end, these individuals are more often found spending money rather than saving it.

One dead giveaway that someone is faking their financial success is constantly flaunting their "wealth" online. Maybe they're often posting about their new designer bags on Instagram or their first-class travel on Facebook.

In this case, "if it seems too good to be true, it probably is" might apply, because most financially secure individuals don't feel the need to constantly flaunt their wealth on social media.

Buying a home is no small feat. Folks who are pretending to be rich might purchase a home that's well above their pay grade to manifest a better standard of living.

They might cosign with a family member to get approved to buy a home with payments above their means. This type of money move rarely works out long term, but it can give the illusion that someone is extremely wealthy when they're actually broke.

Sometimes, you have no choice but to live paycheck to paycheck. But while some people only go through this for a season, individuals who are faking their financial status tend to live this way all the time.

It wouldn't be uncommon to see them anticipating payday much like the rest of us look forward to a national holiday, so they can quickly spend their cash on keeping up their facade of a luxurious life.

Finally, people who are pretending to be wealthy are living above their means. They're grasping for a lifestyle that's above their income, without putting in the work to sort out their actual financial reality.

Through a reliance on loans, credit cards, or just waiting for payday, these individuals are spending more than they make.

The old saying that "comparison is the thief of joy" couldn't be more true when it comes to comparing finances. It can be dangerous if you are inspired to copy a "faker's" habit to achieve a status that doesn't exist. 

If you're looking for some surefire signs of financial success, remember that no two journeys to financial stability are the same. 

And that a truly wealthy person isn't on a mission to flaunt their riches. 

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