A few things have happened recently that made me realize how broke I am:
•I chose Burnett’s over Smirnoff because I could not justify the extra five dollars, and that is after avoiding eating all day so I have to drink less.
•My car battery has been dead for two and a half weeks, but I do not want to jumpstart it because then I would have to pay for my own gas versus having other people drive me.
•I had to cancel my Spotify Premium subscription (though I could not live without it and reactivated it a day later).
As we live through these troubling economic times and sagging job market, it is becoming harder and harder for me to afford dinner at Ajax or the tons of blockbuster movies coming out this summer.
I have, however, realized ways to justify my lifestyle by using a few different methods for getting stuff for free.
First, make friends at the movie theater. You can go with them to movies for free, or even just have them let you in if it is the kind of friend you do not want to sit through a movie with.
You have change everywhere. Maybe it will make you look like a weirdo, but I have paid for my $6 McDonald’s meal entirely in quarters. If you have the change laying around, you might as well use it.
Figure out those bar specials. Taylor Swifts at Funkys add up quick, but not if you go on Tuesday nights when you can get all your frozen drinks for cheap.
What is the point of paying for Netflix yourself? You probably have at least ten friends whose parents are paying for it and who would be more than willing to share their login.
That being said, there are some things that you should never skimp on.
Oreos can be expensive, but buying those Great Value rip-offs is even worse.
No matter how expensive it is, Popeyes will always be worth it. Always. And while they are having the three piece chicken for four bucks deal, what excuse do you have?
Want the latest Bioshock or another new video game? Trade your old ones in. I traded in all my PS3 games I still had from when the console was stolen and I was able to buy “Bioshock: Infinite,” as well as have twenty bucks left over.
In the end, the thing to realize is this: you are not broke. We all whine and complain about how little money we have, but all of us (for the most part, I hope) have food, shelter and what we need.
You may not be able to afford that new pair of Chacos or the organic peanut butter, but that is not a reason to yell about how broke you are.
Now if you will excuse me, I have a pack of ramen noodles to eat since I cannot afford spaghetti.
