In 2026, being “broke” isn’t always about what’s in your bank account – it’s about the quiet little rituals that creep into everyday life. The tiny calculations at the checkout. The internal debate over delivery fees. The strange satisfaction of making something last just a bit longer than it should.
These habits aren’t dramatic. They’re subtle, often invisible, and – crucially – widely shared.
To get a clearer picture of how Illinoisans are navigating rising costs, Lenspricer.com, a price comparison site for contact lenses, surveyed 3,005 respondents, asking them to come clean about the small, sometimes questionable, behaviors they have adopted to stretch their budgets. What emerged is less about hardship in the traditional sense, and more about a kind of collective resourcefulness – where frugality, creativity, and the occasional moral gray area all blur together.
The Top 15 “Broke Behaviors” in Illinois:
#1. Turning off lights obsessively to save electricity
Not just flicking the switch -patrolling the house like an energy auditor. One light left on in an empty room feels less like an oversight and more like a personal failure.
#2. Avoiding delivery fees by picking up instead
It’s no longer just about convenience. For many, the thought of paying extra for delivery feels irrational, even indulgent, when the restaurant is “only ten minutes away.”
#3. Taking office stationery for personal use
A classic that never quite goes away – just evolves with the times. From the odd pen or notepad to printer paper and the occasional stash of Post-its, “borrowing” from the office has long lived in that blurry space between harmless and slightly cheeky.
#4. Bringing snacks into a movie theater
A quiet act of rebellion. The rustle of contraband candy in a jacket pocket has become part of the cinema experience – as much a tradition as the trailers.
#5. Waiting days – or weeks – for a sale
Impulse buying has been replaced with strategic patience. The modern shopper isn’t asking if something will go on sale, but when.
#6. Ordering the cheapest item on the menu (and sticking with tap water)
Menus are no longer browsed – they are negotiated. The goal isn’t indulgence, it’s minimizing regret when the bill arrives.
#7. Waiting for payday instead of dipping into savings
Savings accounts have become something of a sacred line – crossed only in emergencies, not for everyday shortfalls.
#8. Taking extra napkins, sauces, or condiments for later
The “just in case” mentality has expanded. A handful of spare ketchup packets can feel like a small, satisfying win.
#9. Delaying routine health appointments due to cost
Perhaps the most concerning trend is putting off check-ups, eye tests, or minor treatments in the name of short-term savings.
#10. Using public Wi-Fi instead of mobile data
Coffee shops, supermarkets – anywhere with a signal becomes an opportunity to conserve data (and dollars).
#11. Considering selling something you actually need
A moment of financial triage: what can go, even if it probably shouldn’t?
#12. Reusing something you probably shouldn’t
Whether it’s disposable items or past-their-prime essentials, practicality often wins out over best practice.
#13. Using self-checkout and “forgetting” to scan something small
A behavior that lives firmly in the moral grey area – often justified as a harmless oversight, even when it isn’t.
#14. Checking your bank app like it’s social media
Refresh. Refresh again. As if, somehow, the numbers might change in your favor.
#15. Using someone else’s subscription or login
From streaming services to shared accounts, access is often a group effort – even if the terms and conditions say otherwise.
Interactive map showing ‘broke behaviors across the country
Where Illinoisans Cut Back First
When money gets tight, spending priorities shift quickly – and predictably.
- Eating out is the first to go, with 43% cutting back on meals and takeout.
- Shopping follows at 22%, as non-essentials are pushed down the list.
- Subscriptions (15%) and social plans (14%) are trimmed next, small recurring costs that quietly add up.
- Health-related spending, though lower at 6%, still features – highlighting a worrying willingness to delay care.
A Nation Walking a Financial Tightrope
Asked how they currently feel about their finances, Illinoisans painted a picture that’s more cautious than confident.
- 38% describe their approach as “careful and controlled” – suggesting a deliberate, watchful mindset.
- 29% say things are “up and down,” reflecting fluctuating stability.
- 18% admit their finances feel “a bit chaotic.”
- 15% go further, calling them “completely unpredictable.”
How Often Do These Habits Show Up?
For many, “broke behaviors” aren’t occasional – they are routine.
- 22% say they engage in them daily.
- 21% a few times a week.
- 31% occasionally.
- 26% rarely.
The Hidden Cost: Delayed Health Decisions
Beyond lifestyle tweaks, the data reveals a more serious trade-off.
To save money, Illinoisans admit to delaying:
- Replacing glasses or contact lenses – 30%
- Dental check-ups – 28%
- General health check-ups – 26%
- Eye tests – 16%
While skipping a takeaway might feel harmless, postponing health care can have longer-term consequences – especially when small issues go unchecked.
“Many of these behaviors seem small or even harmless on their own, but collectively they tell a much bigger story about how people are coping with financial pressure,” says Rasmus Adeltoft of Lenspricer.com. “What stands out most is how normalized these habits have become – from cutting back on essentials to delaying basic health care. That’s where it becomes more than just being ‘broke’ – it starts to impact wellbeing. Recognizing these patterns is the first step toward addressing them.”
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