The most expensive part of being broke is how much it costs to stay broke. Can't afford to pay your credit card balance? Interest. Can't maintain the minimum balance in your bank account? Possible fees. Can't afford a large down payment on a car? Higher monthly payments. Can't afford to buy a home? Keep paying rent while trying to save. And if an unexpected expense wipes out your savings, you might have to borrow money just to cover it. Every financial setback creates another opportunity for someone to charge you. Then wealthy people explain how they became successful by making their money work for them. Congratulations. Poor people's money is working for everyone else.