Thread: Broke as a mofo

Nope, I'm doing petty than most of my friends and high school classmates, and I am still broke as fuck. At least I don't have a car payment and a mortgage. Like you, I have a shit ton of student loan debt that at the current rate feels like I will never pay off.

I can't complain too much. I spend too much money. I have always spent too much money. I always felt that if I was working hard, I should be able to spend money how I felt like it. Well that is a bad attitude which leads to me never getting out of the hole.

Make yourself a monthly Budget! It will really help. So long as you stick to it.

Originally Posted by JCtex1977

Make yourself a monthly Budget! It will really help. So long as you stick to it.

This right here. I like the old saying, "Failing to plan is planning to fail." If you don't make a budget, you won't have one. If you don't have a budget, the money just evaporates.

Originally Posted by fletcher6490

Is anyone else broke as fuck? I don't understand how a single male, with no mortgage, no kids and makes ok money is so broke. I literally live paycheck to paycheck and it's bullshit. I work my fucking ass off, which sucks, but it's not like I'm unemployed and have 6 kids or anything. I'm in debt a shit ton and it's really starting to piss me off. Anyone have any insider tips on how to not be a broke ass?

You are in the same boat as millions and millions of Americans.

(I am too.)

Living paycheck to paycheck.

It's hard to save in America these days.

How much debt do you have, if I may ask?

I currently have $0 debt, but I haven't saved a lot (in Asia here) since 2007.

You need alternatives to your capitalism ways.

Capitalism is fine if you can play the game. If not ready yet, get alternatives.

Is the rent expensive? Get a roommate or move outside town. Look for places where college kids live.

Food is expensive? Turn vegetarian, it is actually better for your body or at least reduce meat and other expensive foods.

Gas expensive? Ride a bicycle. It is much better than a car anyway. Maybe if you would list all your expenses we could give alternatives to it.

What's all this talk about Paychecks?

Things could be worse....you could own your own business, battle debt on an exponential level and not get a paycheck. This is especially frustrating when any 'small business assistance' (mythical) is given to those who aren't even from this country.

Now, I am not saying you are the same -

But, I know loads of people who complain about being broke, people who spend unnessecarily all the time. They just are so unaware of the money they are spending. I don't get it.

They say they have no money for basics, but then when an unprecedented sum of money comes to them, they spend it on luxury items. If they have surplus money (money beyond paying for rent and food), they just spend it instantly. They say they live paycheck to paycheck, but they do it to themselves.

They have little concept of saving money - putting it away and NOT touching it. Their idea of saving money is making sure they have enough for rent, or some sort of preordained payment. That isn't saving, because the money is already spent for something.

Thinking long term helps. Figuring out a solid and detailed plan helps. Think of all the situations that money will become an issue, then plan accordingly.

What sort of people do you hang around with? Do they spend unessecarily? I'm not saying ditch your friends, but be aware that it'll take extra self control and self awareness being around people like that and saving money.

Like dieting and training, budgeting requires a routine and takes work to be successful. You can also be admonished for it socially, which is ridiculous. But society has shown itself to not be that logical!

Money is a state of mind.

This is the only 100% serious comment I will ever make on this board.

Fufu's post is solid. Utilizing a budget is key to managing your finances. It allows you to see where you are overspending and reduce those expenditures. I.e. Are you buying rounds without everyone getting you back whenever you go out? Solution: start a tab and only buy yourself drinks.

If its a matter of going out too often, get yourself hooked on an MMO (such as world of warcraft) and problem solved. Then again, its possible it may interfere with other aspects of your life such as limiting your drive to train.

Originally Posted by JCtex1977

Make yourself a monthly Budget! It will really help. So long as you stick to it.

I can't (or don't) budget, but it would be an eye opener to keep track of every penny spent for a month. Then start carving out the unnecessary expenditures.

E X P E N D I T U R E S !

Two steps I took to save some coin:

• Dropped cable and gave my TV away eight years ago.
• Live in a shoebox apartment.

One step I didn't take, but has worked out to my financial benefit.

• Got DUMPED! lol God bless her for leaving!

And on a serious note, invest in yourself. Take out a student loan and go back to school if you haven't earned a BA or BS in something. I've been teaching fulltime almost eight years (as of November) and it has definitely been my smartest move to earn that cert.

Originally Posted by Curt James

I can't (or don't) budget, but it would be an eye opener to keep track of every penny spent for a month. Then start carving out the unnecessary expenditures.

E X P E N D I T U R E S !

Two steps I took to save some coin:

• Dropped cable and gave my TV away eight years ago.
• Live in a shoebox apartment.

One step I didn't take, but has worked out to my financial benefit.

• Got DUMPED! lol God bless her for leaving!

And on a serious note, invest in yourself. Take out a student loan and go back to school if you haven't earned a BA or BS in something. I've been teaching fulltime almost eight years (as of November) and it has definitely been my smartest move to earn that cert.

In what area do you teach ?

^I am an elementary school art teacher in South Central Pennsylvania.

let me know when you are ready to paint my nude portrait.

^We don't get a lot of call for that in elementary school. lol

you could always give hand jobs for crack...

Quit working at McD's

Originally Posted by Big Smoothy

You are in the same boat as millions and millions of Americans.

(I am too.)

Living paycheck to paycheck.

It's hard to save in America these days.

How much debt do you have, if I may ask?

I currently have $0 debt, but I haven't saved a lot (in Asia here) since 2007.

Well, I have about 30k left in student loans. Credit cards are around 5k. I owe 5k to my bank for a personal loan and I owe my uncle 7k. So, just with my loans and credit cards around $1100 magically disappears out of my checking every month. I do all of my banking online and I also have direct deposit so it seriously feels like I work for nothing. I never actually see any money.

Originally Posted by fufu

Now, I am not saying you are the same -

But, I know loads of people who complain about being broke, people who spend unnessecarily all the time. They just are so unaware of the money they are spending. I don't get it.

They say they have no money for basics, but then when an unprecedented sum of money comes to them, they spend it on luxury items. If they have surplus money (money beyond paying for rent and food), they just spend it instantly. They say they live paycheck to paycheck, but they do it to themselves.

They have little concept of saving money - putting it away and NOT touching it. Their idea of saving money is making sure they have enough for rent, or some sort of preordained payment. That isn't saving, because the money is already spent for something.

Thinking long term helps. Figuring out a solid and detailed plan helps. Think of all the situations that money will become an issue, then plan accordingly.

What sort of people do you hang around with? Do they spend unessecarily? I'm not saying ditch your friends, but be aware that it'll take extra self control and self awareness being around people like that and saving money.

Like dieting and training, budgeting requires a routine and takes work to be successful. You can also be admonished for it socially, which is ridiculous. But society has shown itself to not be that logical!

hahahaha, have you been stalking me fufu? Yep, that's me to a T. I can't help it though man. I want to know how to make more money, like a side gig or something. Keep in mind I seriously work a lot of hours now, so a part time job is out of the equation.

Originally Posted by Muscle_Girl

If its a matter of going out too often, get yourself hooked on an MMO (such as world of warcraft) and problem solved. Then again, its possible it may interfere with other aspects of your life such as limiting your drive to train.

Nope, not at all. I go out maybe once a week, if that. When I do go out though my bar tab is usually around 3 bucks, so I don't think that's the problem.

Originally Posted by fletcher6490

hahahaha, have you been stalking me fufu? Yep, that's me to a T. I can't help it though man. I want to know how to make more money, like a side gig or something. Keep in mind I seriously work a lot of hours now, so a part time job is out of the equation.

Of course I stalk you, but not your spending habits.

Are you sure that if you make more money you won't just spend more? Fufu wants to help you!

Check out this link for side gigs -

How to Make Money on the Internet | eHow.com

Also, check out craigslist.com, you could always let middle aged men pay you 50 bucks to blow a load on their faces.

Originally Posted by fletcher6490

I want to know how to make more money, like a side gig or something. Keep in mind I seriously work a lot of hours now, so a part time job is out of the equation.

If a part time job is out then what type of side gig are you thinking of?

Are you skilled as an assassin?

start a budget and stick to it. me and my wife do that and we save, save, well she does. i spend to much on gear thats my downfall. and i have a son in college. but try to stick to a budget like my wife lol.

Originally Posted by fletcher6490

Well, I have about 30k left in student loans. Credit cards are around 5k. I owe 5k to my bank for a personal loan and I owe my uncle 7k. So, just with my loans and credit cards around $1100 magically disappears out of my checking every month. I do all of my banking online and I also have direct deposit so it seriously feels like I work for nothing. I never actually see any money.

Thanks for the info, fletcher.

It looks like the total if $47,000 with 30K being students loans.

With 1100 per month going to these loan, I assume they're being whittled down to some degree?

Originally Posted by unclem

start a budget and stick to it. me and my wife do that and we save, save, well she does. i spend to much on gear thats my downfall. and i have a son in college. but try to stick to a budget like my wife lol.

dude my wife said I spend to much on suppliments and gym membership and she sick of it.Well I'm gonna miss her

Originally Posted by Big Smoothy

Thanks for the info, fletcher.

It looks like the total if $47,000 with 30K being students loans.

With 1100 per month going to these loan, I assume they're being whittled down to some degree?

Only 500 is towards the student loans. The other 600 is split between my credit card and personal loans.

Originally Posted by fufu

Of course I stalk you, but not your spending habits.

Are you sure that if you make more money you won't just spend more? Fufu wants to help you!

Check out this link for side gigs -

How to Make Money on the Internet | eHow.com

Also, check out craigslist.com, you could always let middle aged men pay you 50 bucks to blow a load on their faces.

So, I checked out your link and I'm gonna try something out. It's called Peoplestring.com. I read a bunch of shit on it and it's seems legit, so fuck it. It's free so I can't really get burnt. If anyone wants to try this out with me and see if we can make a few extra bucks a month here's a link. You do get more money for having people under you so click on this to register.

PeopleString

You guys know me, I'm not a spammer. I don't even know if this will work, I just signed up today but shit, I'll give it a try.

Originally Posted by fletcher6490

Only 500 is towards the student loans. The other 600 is split between my credit card and personal loans.

OK.

Thanks for the info, fletcher.

May I ask, how much principle are you paying down on each of these?