According to Google, the definition of “broke” is “having completely run out of money.” It’s something we hear constantly these days, almost daily. But what does it really mean when a middle-class person says they are broke? I like to think we mean that we’ve burned through the pocket money—or, rather, the salary—we receive from work each month. Yes, we’ll be replenished on the 25th again, but before you know it, you’re typing that familiar message to a close friend, who’s also probably broke, asking for a quick loan of a few thousands just to get by.
Why are we broke? Are we overspending, or just being careless? The older generation would probably look down on us, reminiscing about how little they earned but still managed to save, support a family, and even buy a house. And we hear this, roll our eyes, and think, “Pfft Savings? What does that even mean? Forget savings—I can barely make it to the end of the month as it is.”
I believe we all share the same “survival mode” when we’re down to our last few thousand. It hits us hard, realizing we’re on the financial brink of becoming broke AF. Meals become instant noodles or whatever’s left in the fridge; budget dining options become standard; social plans are postponed or canceled. We find ourselves marveling, “Wow, how did I stretch that last bit of cash so far?” Then payday arrives, those “nice” numbers appear in our bank account, and we repeat the cycle all over again—month after month, like clockwork. We say we want to break the cycle. We say we need to. But we never do.
Why am I writing this? I’m not here to offer hope or a miraculous list of “5 Ways to Make Your Salary Last Longer.” I’m here to remind you that you’re not alone. I work two jobs. And I go broke every month too, usually about a week before payday. It sucks—big time. How did we end up here? Let’s take a look at a few suspects:
1) Online banking
2) Food delivery apps
3) Ride services
4) Online shopping
5) Grocery delivery
6) Installment Payment Options
You: “Well, Isn’t that such a backward way of thinking you psycho human?”
Maybe.
But these things have undeniably spoiled us in ways we might not even realize. We’re so comfortable with instant access and ease that we don’t notice how we overspend. And even though we’re “middle class, or more like poor tbh” we behave in ways that border on luxury. We order cabs for convenience, dine at restaurants, and spend on food beyond our means. Every online transaction comes with an extra charge compared to shop prices—300, 500, maybe more each time—that we don’t think twice about. Compare this to taking public transport, going to the grocery store, cooking at home, or grabbing a meal from a nearby food stall. But do we stop? No. We tell ourselves we “deserve” these indulgences. While we give our present selves a break, we’re burying our future selves in debt.
“Sorry future me.”
Maybe it’s time to step back and ask ourselves, What are we really doing with our lives and our money? Because, honestly, this broke lifestyle is getting old. And as much as I love instant noodles, I think I’ve had enough.