How many times have the words “I’m Broke” entered into your life? We’ve all been in a place where we have less finances than we need to survive, money problems are something we all must endure. Rather than complaining about why you are broke, many people find inspiration in the dustiest corners of their wallets and pocketbooks. Being broke is not ideal but it does have its benefits. For example, how many times have you purchased something before checking to see if there was a coupon, online code, or discount of any kind? Chances are you’ve made this mistake more than once because you had extra money and less concern over how you spent it.
Here’s how being broke forces you to be creative:
- You know the difference between a need and a want. No longer given the luxury of the impulse buy, you weigh the consequences of each and every purchase that you make. Because you do not have unlimited access to money, it is essential for you to stretch every dollar that you can. Items that aren’t needed aren’t purchased.
- You put off big ticket purchases so you can get the best deal. When it comes to purchasing automobiles, appliances, and electronics, you choose to shop around. Rather than be in a rush to acquire an item, you go the extra mile and do your research to ensure that you’re getting the most bang for your buck.
- You look to family members and friends for inspiration. You’re more aware of your surroundings. You seek advice from relatives and friends about saving money. You take the time to learn how to do things that you ordinarily wouldn’t when you’re flush. You pool your resources so that you don’t have to do without the things you’re accustomed to having.
- You buy secondhand. For the sake of saving money, you no longer need to buy new. You explore garage sales, thrift stores, and consignment shops as places to find the things that you need. You see the value in used. From clothing to furniture, you know where to find the best deals on secondhand goods.
- You clip coupons. Coupons become one of your most valuable resources because when paired with sales, you save tremendously. You don’t have to be a coupon hoarder in order to acquire the things you need. You do need to hold out until the stores mark down their prices and then pair items up with coupons to get them for free or pennies on the dollar.
- You Do-It-Yourself. Relying on your own devices is part of being broke. Rather than pay someone else to do the work for you, you do it yourself. The DIY movement is rather popular so you can find all of the resources you need through the Internet or public library. You know how to mend clothing, fix a leaky pipe, and change the oil on your car and you save each and every time you complete a task on your own.
Don’t see being broke as being something detrimental. If you find your bank account is looking lean, put your thinking cap on. Soldier through the experience by applying a new level of creativity to managing your finances. Not only will you learn something new, you’ll take away life lessons that will help you grow and make you more financially savy going forward.
Author: Charissa
Charissa is into frugal living and saving money.
