The 7 Levels of Money Issues: From “I’m Good” to “Lord, Please Fix It”
Money issues don’t just pop up one day like a bad ex sliding into your inbox at 2AM. Oh no—financial drama comes in levels, layers, stages… like a video game you never signed up for but somehow keep losing at. And the wild part? Every grown adult has been through these levels at least once. Some of us are seasoned players. Some of us are still trying to escape Level 3. And some of us? Baby… stuck on Level 7 like it’s quicksand.
So let’s break down the 7 Levels of Money Issues, because sometimes understanding the mess is the first step to getting out of it.
Level 1: “I Got It… I Think”
This is that soft delusion stage where everything looks fine on the outside.
You’re swiping your card with confidence. You got a little savings. You drinking your iced coffee like you Oprah. You even giving people advice on how to budget—child, the AUDACITY.
But deep down? You’re one unexpected bill away from sitting on the edge of your bed staring into the spiritual abyss.
Level 1 is cute though. It’s the level where you pretend you’re financially stable even if your checking account is giving “hold on, sis…”
Level 2: The Sneaky Struggle
This is where the money issues start tiptoeing in like a thief in the night.
Random things start breaking:
- Your car makes a noise it never made before
- Your phone charger stops working
- That bill you forgot about hits your account like a WWE wrestler
You’re still “okay,” but you feel the heat. This is the level where you start telling friends, “I’m not broke, I’m just being responsible,” but you also googling, “How to make $300 fast today.”
It’s giving pre-broke with a touch of denial.
Level 3: The Budget Got Hands
Now the budget is fighting you like you owe it money.
This is the level where you actually pull out the calculator—like that’s gonna magically add new numbers to your account.
You’re trying to stretch $60 for two weeks.
You’re making meals out of whatever’s in the kitchen like you’re on an episode of Chopped.
You start saying things like:
- “I got food at home.”
- “I don’t need Starbucks today.”
- “I’ma wait ’til next week.”
This level hurts but it’s humbling. It builds character—or trauma. One of the two.
Level 4: That “Can I Borrow $20?” Energy
This is where pride leaves the building.
You texting your close friends or that one cousin who always has money.
“Hey… you got $20 I can borrow? I’ll give it back Friday.”
And Friday comes and goes and you suddenly become the FBI because now you’re avoiding them. “I didn’t even see your message!”
Uh-huh.
At Level 4, you aren’t broke-broke yet, but you’re definitely in the neighborhood.
Level 5: The Financial Apocalypse
This is where everything hits at once:
Rent.
Car note.
Lights.
WiFi.
Groceries.
That Amazon order you swore you canceled.
Your account be looking at you like: “Girl, why would you try that? Be serious.”
And the bank?
They sending notifications like, “Your balance is low,” as if you didn’t already know. Like thank you, Captain Obvious.
This is the stage where you start praying. Bargaining. Making promises you know you not gon’ keep:
“God, get me through this week and I SWEAR I’ll stop ordering Uber Eats.”
Lies.
Level 6: Survival Mode Activated
This is that level where you feel like you living in a documentary.
Every dollar counts. Every penny matters.
You unplugging everything in the house like the electric company charges by the minute.
You canceling subscriptions.
You returning things.
You eating noodles… different flavors just to feel something.
At this stage, you become a detective, trying to figure out where your money been going. You looking at bank statements like: “Who spent $12.99 on Hulu? Oh… that was me.”
Survival mode is not fun, but it is powerful. It’s the stage where your hustle be waking up like, “Alright let’s get this money for real.”
Level 7: “Fix It, Jesus. Fix. It.”
This is the final boss level.
The stage where you start reconsidering every life choice that led you here.
You start thinking about new careers.
Side hustles.
OnlyFans.
Turn your hobbies into income.
Sell your mama’s old jewelry (don’t do that though).
You start questioning life like: “How did I go from being cute with money to THIS?”
This level is dramatic, stressful, and a little embarrassing. But there’s good news:
No one stays at Level 7 forever.
Everybody has a comeback story. Everybody has a season where the money dries up and a season where it flows again.
And the beauty of Level 7?
Once you survive it…
You become wiser.
Stronger.
More focused.
And way better at telling people, “No, I can’t go out tonight.”
Why These Levels Matter
Understanding your money levels gives you power.
Because money issues aren’t just about dollars—they’re about:
- mindset
- habits
- boundaries
- discipline
- and yes, a little bit of luck
Knowing what level you’re on helps you know what solution you need.
Some people just need a budget.
Some need more income.
Some need therapy because spending money is how they cope.
And some… need to stop letting Amazon control their lives.
Final Thoughts: You’re Not Alone in This
Money problems can make you feel isolated. Like you’re the only one struggling.
But trust me—EVERYBODY has a money level they’re dealing with.
The key is recognizing where you are, being honest about it, and taking steps to improve your financial life.
Start small.
Start messy.
Start broke.
Just start.
Because the goal is not to live your life stuck on Level 7.
The goal is to move up, glow up, and get your finances on Beyoncé levels—rich in peace, rich in purpose, and rich in options.
