5 Money Habits I've Learned Watching 1,000+ Bank Customers (That You Can Steal or Avoid)
Guest post by Noah from Wired Wealth
Hey there, RTM fans!
You probably don’t think twice about the person behind the counter—bank teller, cashier, whoever.
But after four years on the front lines, Noah’s seen something most people haven’t: how real people actually handle their money.
In this guest post, he breaks down five money habits he’s seen separate the quietly wealthy from the constantly stressed—and what you can learn from them.
I hope you enjoy!
-Dave
Most people think bankers spend all day pushing credit cards and counting cash.
But after four years working face-to-face with thousands of customers, I’ve seen something most people haven’t:
The real money habits of everyday people.
Not the TikTok hacks.
Not the “broke to Benz” influencers.
Just real, working people depositing checks, over drafting accounts, withdrawing rent, and paying off debt (or not).
Here are five habits I’ve seen over and over that separate people who struggle… from those who are quietly winning.
1. The Winners Know Their Balance Before I Tell Them
Broke customers?
Always surprised by their account balance.
Wealth builders?
Already checked the app.
Knowing your balance daily is basic financial awareness. But the psychology behind it runs deeper. Those who check regularly tend to manage spending better, catch fraud faster, and avoid surprises.
Micro-discipline builds macro control.
2. Overdrafts Are a Habit, Not an Accident
Most people don’t overdraft just once. They do it monthly.
And the kicker? It’s usually not from big expenses.
It’s $7.39 at Starbucks.
A $48 online order they forgot about.
Or worse: An autopay subscription they haven’t used in a year.
What I’ve learned: people don’t budget for autopilot spending.
That’s where their money leaks out.
Tip: Pause every recurring subscription. Only restart the ones you actually miss.
3. High Earners Still Live Paycheck to Paycheck
One of the most shocking things?
The guy making $130k/year is stressed about over drafting.
Meanwhile, a retiree with $2,000/month in pension or benefit income is chill.
Why?
One had a 5-figure truck loan, a $3,000 mortgage, and a wife who hated budgets.
The other lived below their means and had margin.
More income doesn’t fix bad money habits. Margin does.
4. Cash Envelopes Still Work (Especially for Grocery & Dining)
I’ve seen more success with customers who withdraw $200 every Friday than those who rely on their debit card and hope for the best.
When the cash runs out, it’s a physical stop signal. There’s no “oops” with a declined envelope.
Tip: If you’re overspending on food, try a cash-only challenge for 30 days. You’ll feel the difference.
5. The Best Savers Automate Everything
The best customers don’t wait until the end of the month to “see what’s left” for savings.
They set up $25, $50, $100 transfers to a separate account right after payday (or direct deposit it from their paycheck).
It’s not glamorous.
It’s not aggressive.
But it works. Every. Time.
Start small, automate it, forget about it, and in six months you’ll have a buffer you didn’t feel building.
Final Thought: It’s Not About Perfection, It’s About Awareness
Most people don’t fail with money because they’re dumb or lazy (and you’re not either). They just never developed awareness.
That’s what I’ve seen firsthand, from behind the teller line.
If any of these habits sound familiar, don’t stress. Pick one. Focus on it for 30 days. Track your progress. You’ll be ahead on 90% of people just by paying attention.
About the Author
This post was written by Noah, a bank teller by day and personal finance writer by night. He runs Wired Wealth, a daily Substack for driven young professionals who want to build smarter financial systems without burning out.
You can check out his newsletter here: Wired Wealth
Quick Calls to Action
If this post was helpful, you can do three things:
Like this post and let David know!
Subscribe to Run The Money and Wired Wealth!
Leave a comment and let me know a crazy money habit you’ve seen!
Thanks again to David for letting me share this!
- Noah from Wired Wealth
 | A guest post by
|