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Scott's Newsletter

The Background Process

Being broke isn't about having less money. It's about having money occupy all of your mind.

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Scott D. Clary
Oct 29, 2025
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The difference between having money and not having money isn’t what you can buy.

It’s whether you think about money at all.

When you’re broke, every decision runs a price calculation. Can I afford this coffee? Should I take the Uber or the train? Is the name-brand worth two dollars more?

Your brain is constantly computing. Not just for big purchases. For everything.

You’re at dinner. You want dessert. Before you can even taste it in your mind, you’re calculating. Fifteen dollars. Is it worth it? What else could that fifteen dollars do? Should I just get it anyway? Will I regret spending it? Will I regret not getting it?

The decision takes thirty seconds. The calculation never stops.

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