The Tales of Being Broke

By Rikki Yanez
Blog Content Contributor

As a college student, nobody really tells you how hard it will be financially. You hear how older adults say how they would eat fast food for a week or live off soups, so you automatically assume they either didn’t know how to cook or it just wasn’t that bad. However, being in college while living off campus, you realize all the money you have for bills, the groceries you need to buy, the required textbooks for school, or going out to eat all go so fast. If you are working and getting paid minimum wage, your checks tend to go so fast and leave you with nothing at the end of the month, then the next month rolls around and once again you are broke.

Being in a financial situation where money is constantly tight and living on $20 until your paycheck comes in later in the week can make you feel very stressed, angry, annoyed, or depressed if it’s constantly happening. Living without money will make you constantly worry about things that might happen such as needing a new tire after a flat that just happened on your way home, or perhaps needing to buy feminine hygiene products because you just started your period. Even not having enough money to buy food for your pet because you just ran out can cause you to be worrisome.

Nowadays, most activities that your friends or you might want to do involves money such as going to the movies, going to concerts or bars, grabbing coffee with a friend, or going out to eat. When a person is stuck in a financial rut, it’s somewhat humiliating having to tell your friends you can’t go out. Most times you’ll have those understanding friends that will offer to pay for you, which are angels sent from heaven! However, being broke can leave you feeling all sorts of emotions and will make you feel like the world is just out to get you.

By now, some readers will think, “Why don’t you just ask your parents for money?” However, for those who aren’t fortunate enough to have parents that are well off financially, asking my parents is my last resort since I know how much bills they have to pay while still supporting my siblings. I know for a fact my parents will give me money if I’m ever in dire need; however, in the back of my mind, I having a feeling of guilt because I’m supposed to be an adult that is working a full-time job, so I should know how to manage my money.

For those who know the struggle of being broke, some quick and helpful tips to getting fast cash till your next check is to sell the clothes or shoes. Local places to sell your clothes, shoes, purses, backpacks, and even phone cases are Plato’s Closet and Uptown Cheapskate, which just opened. Other alternatives to make fast cash is to donate plasma. Local places you can donate plasma are BPL Plasma and Nu Plasma. Other alternatives to making quick money are to get jobs with Uber or Lyft and drive in your free time. Yes, I know it sucks being broke. But before we beat ourselves up about it, these are few alternatives that can help.

Featured illustration by Rikki Yanez.