Go away to college, they said, it'll be fun they said.
As soon as you move away to college, you begin to understand the value of a dollar, and that budgeting money is actually a thing. Who knew? You won’t be able to rely on your parents as much as you used to, and you’ll often be too embarrassed to ask them for money. You quickly learn that money doesn’t grow on trees. Despite working as hard as you can to make money, it’s just as easy to spend, especially when you’re paying rent, utilities, for your own groceries, gas, and most importantly going out with your friends, and going on adventures. The myth of a broke college student, is not in fact a myth, it’s a very real thing. You begin to wish you saved your whole life for these days, because being broke, for lack of a better word, SUCKS.
But you are not alone, you are just like every other 20-something college student who's more terrified to check the number in their bank account than you are to check the grade on last week's test you know you tanked.
Here are 10 confessions of a broke college student:
1. You find yourself starting to ration, irrational things in your head.
“I don’t really need to do laundry yet” or “I don’t REALLY need to eat 3 meals a day” are some of the things you start thinking because you can’t afford laundry detergent or groceries. I mean honestly, that stuff is expensive… it’s actually cheaper to go out and buy new under wear than it is to do laundry.
2. You learn to hate the first of every month.
Rent is due, the utility bill is due, your credit card bill is due, and you have $8 in your bank account.
3.You learn how to save change.
I always hated carrying around spare change, or donated it to the tip jars at Dunks, but hey, four quarters is a dollar, and Lord knows I don’t even have that.
4. Asking your parents for money is really not something you want to do, but need to do.
Luckily for me, my mom is always there to help me when I'm struggling but it is really embarrassing to tell your mom you can't afford to eat this week.
5. "I have no money, I can't go" becomes real.
You used to think this was just a silly excuse... until it became your reality.
6. You begin to appreciate your parents so much more.
I miss the days when I could go in the fridge when I was hungry and there was actually something to eat... now there's just a couple of beers and a half eaten sandwich. Your parents did everything they could to put food in that fridge for you, and you really understand that now.
7. Sometimes you have to make choices you don't want to.
"Do I get gas or groceries this week?"
8. You're always running on empty.
Your gas tank and your stomach are both usually pretty low on fuel.
9. You can't go shopping for fun anymore.
Being broke means having to spend money on real adult things like rent, gas, and groceries and not clothes or that really cute pair of shoes you want.
10. Free food is the best food.
This can come in the form of dates, events on campus, or joining clubs. Who doesn't love free food?
There are some benefits to being broke, like learning how to manage life in ways you didn’t know were possible. Being broke humbles you because you begin to laugh at your stress instead of letting it consume you.
As broke as I am right now, when I have a career I am going to be happy making whatever salary I make because it’s a lot better than the $8 in my bank account right now. In the meantime, make the best of it, appreciate your parents, and SAVE YOUR MONEY.
