�Being broke blows, okay? It just does.

We have all been there. We need a new car or have some vital bills that have to be paid. We go to work every day and bust our asses to pay for these things and for what? Just so we can sit at home on our days off with nothing to do because we’re too broke to do anything. How the hell is any of that fair at all? We contribute and have nothing to show for it. Now, let’s cap that off and then find you get laid off so now you have to file for unemployment. Guess what? You’re going to take a pay cut. Try surviving on one-third your salary. Sound fun yet? Adulting. Woohoo.

I have three kids, two boys, ages 12 and 5, and a girl, 1. They eat a lot. I mean a lot. They’re like walking food disposal units I didn’t ask for but won’t trade or sell. Like how that works out? I spend nearly $900 a month on food. Mind you, though I am a big girl, I do not eat much and often end up eating last because my kiddos come first. My refrigerator apparently has a revolving door on it I did not know about. Then there is my 6ft 4in tall husband who has been known to devastate my kitchen. He usually only eats once a day, but when he does, you might as well get out of the way.

If one were to take a look at our monthly expenses, you might say it wasn’t much. Normally, when my husband is working, which is most of the time, we do okay. We aren’t rich but we can do a few things here and there with the kids during tax time and in the summer. My husband does construction and contracting work. So, go from anywhere between $650-$800 or so a week to $325 or so. Just looking at our food bill, which usually does not consist of a bunch of junk food, after buying food for the month, we would have $400 left. Now, what about the rest of the bills? I know that is what you’re thinking. Well, so were we.

We rent. It’s not a great place but it’s a home. Our rent is $425 a month. Our utilities, because they are privatized, run roughly $300-$400 a month. See a problem yet? Yeah, I do as well. Then there is the sign up procedure to get unemployment benefits. First, they have a long form to fill out. Okay, no biggie. Then there is the week waiting period. Okay, should be no big deal. Unfortunately, it isn’t always approved right away. Sometimes, more info is needed or your boss has information messed up so things you put on the form do not match what your boss has on file, so then your claim is denied until you can get it fixed. In the meantime, those bills, right? Yeah, my thoughts as well. Looking for that tree fort to hide in yet?

So, to put it bluntly, being broke sucks. You can’t live without food and a place to lay your head. It’s worse when you have little humans depending on you for everything. As my mom used to tell me, “sometimes you have to rob Peter to pay Paul.” I never really understood what she meant until I grew up and had a family of my own. Now, that meaning is all too clear. Basically, somebody is going to have to wait to get their money. I think I am just going to write all my bills out on separate pieces of paper and put them all in a hat. I will draw out one at a time until all the money is gone. Let’s face it, having a job is a draw these days. Isn’t great how the Economy gets to play Russian roulette with your life? So, in the meantime, my husband and I get to figure out how we are paying those bills and feeding these kiddos. If you have a job, don't quit and always try to have a savings for when you get laid off.