If you want to become rich in 2025, stop doing these 10 things immediately

I remember a time when I thought wealth was all about having a flashy lifestyle.

I maxed out my credit card for a brand-name jacket just to feel important, then spent weeks stressing over the bill. That was my wake-up call.

We’ve all had moments where money issues slap us in the face, but the real question is whether we learn from them or keep repeating our mistakes.

I’ve come to realize that building wealth isn’t just about finding new tactics or hot investments—sometimes it’s about eliminating habits that silently drain our potential.

If you’re hoping to step into 2025 with more financial freedom, it’s time to quit certain behaviors that hold you back. Below are ten major ones that, in my experience, sabotage our progress and keep us from moving forward.

1. Clinging to your old money story

One thing I had to stop was replaying the same financial narrative in my head. I grew up believing only the elite could be wealthy, and folks like me would always struggle. That story turned into a self-fulfilling prophecy.

If you keep telling yourself that you’re destined for tight budgets and constant stress, you’ll find ways to prove it true. Psychologists call this “confirmation bias.”

You look for evidence supporting your old belief and ignore everything else. Drop that outdated story. Start challenging the script so you can focus on expanding your skills and mindset, not reinforcing a limiting tale.

2. Ignoring the power of small habits

I used to believe in making one big move for an overnight transformation.

I’d wait for that perfect gig or sudden windfall, assuming small steps weren’t worth my attention. I was wrong. Building wealth is often about steady, incremental gains.

If you overlook how daily habits—like cooking at home instead of ordering takeout or reading a finance book instead of binge-watching a show—add up, you’ll lose control of your long-term progress.

These actions might feel minor in the moment, but their cumulative effect is massive. By focusing on small, consistent efforts now, you set the stage for exponential growth.

3. Getting stuck in a scarcity mindset

Sometimes we hold back on investments or new opportunities because we believe there’s never enough to go around.

This is what psychologists refer to as “scarcity mentality.” It keeps us hyper-focused on short-term loss instead of potential long-term gains.

When I was younger, I hesitated to put money into an online course because I was terrified of wasting a small amount. That mindset cost me more in missed opportunities and time.

Shift your perspective from “I can’t risk it” to “What am I risking if I don’t try?” Often, the biggest danger is staying exactly where you are.

4. Wasting time on empty entertainment

I’m a fan of unwinding with a good series or a video game, but I’ve caught myself going overboard. If I spend six hours scrolling through social media or binging yet another season of a show I’m barely invested in, I’m devoting precious energy to activities with zero payoff.

To build wealth, time is your best ally. Instead of mindless scrolling, you could read a book on personal finance, network with interesting people, or learn a new skill online.

Cutting down on aimless entertainment won’t just save you hours—it’ll refocus your mind on things that actually matter for your financial future.

5. Fear of investing

I’ve met many people, myself included once upon a time, who prefer to sit on cash because the stock market or real estate feels intimidating.

We’re afraid of losing what we have. This fear can be paralyzing, and we end up with savings that barely outpace inflation.

When I finally bit the bullet and started investing, I realized how misguided my fear was. Sure, there are risks, but calculated risks often lead to better returns.

Do your homework, start small, and spread out your investments. If you keep avoiding it altogether, you’ll watch inflation eat away at your money while missing out on potential growth.

6. Complaining about the economy

I’ve been guilty of this more times than I’d like to admit. Whenever I saw prices go up or job markets shift, I grumbled about how unfair it was.

The problem is, complaining doesn’t fix anything. It just sucks away your energy and keeps you focused on the negative.

Successful people adapt. They figure out where the market is going and adjust their strategies accordingly.

Channel your frustration into problem-solving. Identify trends and leverage them for your benefit. If you’re always moaning about how terrible everything is, you’ll blind yourself to unexpected opportunities.

7. Keeping unproductive relationships

We love our friends and family, but some relationships can be incredibly draining.

If you’re surrounded by people who discourage your ambitions or push you toward poor financial decisions, it’s hard to stay on track.

When I was younger, I had a group of buddies who made fun of me for skipping nights out to save money. Their constant teasing ate at me, and I began doubting myself.

Eventually, I distanced myself from that circle and found like-minded peers who respected my goals. That shift changed everything. Evaluate who you spend time with and whether they support your growth or drag you down.

8. Over-planning and under-executing

I love brainstorming big ideas. Vision boards, detailed spreadsheets, you name it.

But I realized all my planning was a safety net—a way to feel productive while avoiding actual risks. If you spend forever in the planning phase, you never actually get anywhere.

Sometimes you have to stop perfecting the plan and just launch. Start that side hustle, pitch your freelance services, or create that app you’ve been talking about.

Planning is only useful if it leads to real action. Don’t get stuck in analysis paralysis. Move, even if it feels messy.

9. Neglecting your health

It might sound unrelated, but health is directly tied to wealth.

When I’m short on sleep or living on junk food, my productivity tanks. I waste half the day feeling sluggish, which means I’m missing windows of opportunity and clarity.

Bad health habits can also lead to hefty medical bills later. I saw this with a close friend who ignored all the warning signs until he had a major health scare.

It not only drained his bank account but also stalled his career growth. Taking care of yourself—through regular exercise, decent sleep, and balanced meals—is a long-term investment that pays off in more ways than one.

10. Failing to adapt

The world changes quickly. Technology disrupts entire industries, consumer demands shift, and trends come and go faster than we can blink.

If you’re clinging to an old business model or skill set, you risk getting left behind.

I’ve tried to hold onto outdated methods because they felt comfortable, and I ended up losing more time than if I’d adapted right away.

Stay curious. Learn new tools, follow market trends, and be ready to pivot. If your approach isn’t working, ditch your pride and adjust. Flexibility keeps you from sinking in a fast-moving world.

Final thoughts

Wealth isn’t reserved for a select few, and it’s not all about landing the perfect stock or startup. It’s also about cutting out patterns that keep you stuck.

Getting rid of these ten behaviors frees you up to make smarter choices, seize opportunities, and build something that lasts.

I’m still a work in progress, but stepping back from unproductive habits has opened new doors for me.

If you do the same, you’ll likely see changes faster than you expect. So, take a hard look at your life and figure out what needs to go. Once you clear out the clutter, you can make room for real growth.