There’s an old saying that the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. There’s a tendency for some people to go a whole lifetime living off every penny of their last paycheck. Here are the 10 biggest reasons why people struggle financially.

10. They don’t invest. Buying stocks and bonds may sound risky, but they are some of the best sources of lasting wealth and emergency cash.

9. They don’t automate their finances. People who trust their “will power” when it comes to saving and investing for the future usually end up deferring their best intentions indefinitely. This happens because there’s always some crisis “taking away” their ability to build emergency cash reserves.

8. They don’t have a savings account. While they may pay little interest, there are few things more comforting than having a cash hoard. This kind of money is the very definition of emergency cash. It can be a life-saver for someone who is consistently broke because there will be money on hand when a crisis arises.

7. They often don’t have a checking account. People who carry around their entire net worth find it’s tempting to spend it and end up having little left by their next payday.

6. They’re too generous. While there’s nothing wrong with giving to charities in which you believe, you have to know when to say no. When it impacts your ability to save for what you need, it’s time to put on the brakes.

5. They don’t compare prices enough. Everyone pays a price for convenience from time to time, but the chronically broke tend to pay the most, because they only think of what they want right now.

4. They don’t spend consciously. Conscious spending is more than just a buzz phrase. It refers to putting your money only where you really want it to go. Broke people tend to spend on any old thing, and end up with precious little when they really want something or need emergency cash.

3. They practice self-defeating habits. When people desire something with every fiber of their being and believe they’re worthy of their goal, they go after it with everything they’ve got. They might not always get it, but they usually do in the end. People who do not believe they deserve to reach their goals, however, subconsciously find ways to sabotage themselves at every turn.

2. They tend to live in a state of caring only about their immediate survival. So long as they’re surviving, it’s mission accomplished. Unfortunately, saving up emergency cash is often only considered when a crisis is staring them in the face. By then, it’s too late.

1. They just don’t plan ahead. The reason that the broke stay broke is because they do not plan ahead. In order to be financially successful, you must think before you spend, save up emergency cash for when you’ll need it, and invest so that your futures will be both wealthy and healthy. Stress related to finances can do terrible things to a person. So, get started today creating a stronger financial picture for the future.