Lesson 5: The Hidden Taxes Only Poor People Pay (And How to Dodge Them)

There’s the tax you pay to the government…

…and then there’s the tax poor people pay because scarcity makes you hurry, panic, or improvise.

These invisible taxes eat your future alive:

• 💀 TAX #1 — The Crisis Fee

When you buy things last minute, you pay more.

Rent late → fee.

Phone unpaid → reconnection fee.

No food at home → expensive corner shop.

Scarcity whispers: “Solve it NOW.”

Gratitude whispers: “Breathe. Prepare.”

• 💀 TAX #2 — The Single-Unit Trap

Buying one cigarette → 3x the price of a pack.

Buying one tiny shampoo → 4x the price per ounce.

“Cheap right now” = expensive long-term.

• 💀 TAX #3 — The Panic Loan

Street loans (gota-gota), credit traps, quick loans.

When you need money today, you pay with tomorrow.

• 💀 TAX #4 — The Stress Tax

When your mind is fried:

😵 you forget things

😬 you break things

😔 you make dumb decisions

• 💸 you lose opportunities

This tax costs more than all the others combined.

But here’s the twist:

✨ Gratitude kills hidden taxes.

Because gratitude pulls you out of panic and puts you into clarity.

Clarity = preparation.

Preparation = savings.

No identity inflation.

No “I deserve luxury.”

Just calm, grounded presence.

🧪 Today’s Activity

Spot ONE hidden tax you paid this week.

Write down the REAL cost (including stress, interest, or extra pesos).

Say: “Never again — I choose clarity now.”

Say it calm.

Say it grounded.

Say it like you mean it.