Strength in Numbers

It's hard to admit you're broke.  It shouldn't be, since so many people are, and usually through no (or little) fault of their own.  Even around our closest friends and family, it's hard to simply say, "I can't afford that."

Even though it shouldn't be hard, it is, and it's not really all that surprising to realize that.

What I have found interesting on my journey, though, is how hard it is to admit that you're becoming unbroke.

If you think about it, there are MORE people becoming unbroke then there are broke! 

Partners on this journey are all around. 

There are those who were broke, at one time or another...and that could be as a child, or as a recent college grad. It could mean that, like me, there was a bankruptcy, or it could just mean there was the fear and the feeling of scraping by.  It could be moving back home or borrowing from friends and family.  It could be people who lacked a budget and didn't realize they were "overspending" or it could be people who made a series of bad decisions (which is where I put myself), or even the people who made one bad decision.  It could be the people who didn't have all that much choice in the matter - who were "broken" by a job loss, an illness, a divorce.

All of these people are all around you, and they were once broke.  And I truly believe that the journey to unbroke is never-ending.  I would love to believe that someday spending money on nice things, things I want but don't need....on pickles....will come easier.  Will occur without guilt. 

But I do not believe that I will ever again spend money with the same ease I did before I was broke.  Once you've been broke, you're a club member for life.

However, the ex-broke are not the only people who are on this journey. 

There are also all those people who knew someone like me and said "oh, crap, I don't want to be like that" and immediately started their own emergency funds.  Those who were taught to be frugal or were smart enough to figure it out on their own.  Those who had a scare or two or who were really bored and watched Suze Orman on PBS or one too many episodes of "Til Debt Do Us Part" and couldn't help but force themselves to write a budget.  Those who found a copy of one of the "Finish Rich" books and got on program.

All of us are living on a budget.  All of us are planning what we spend and working to save where we can.  All of us are looking for a bargain, thinking about the future, and objecting to the clutter, the stuff, the ever-increasing list of "stuff" we must have. 

In the past week or two I have heard from a surprising number of people who've said "oh, I don't have cable, either" or "oh, I remember when I was so broke that...."  People who have surprised me when they tell me they enjoy what I have written, and that one thing or another has seemed to speak to them directly.

I wonder, sometimes, if I am writing this blog to get the thoughts out of my head, or if I am writing for other people.  I feel a bit scattered most nights when I sit down to write.

I wonder if this should turn into an advice blog.  A how-to, which is certainly the type of blog that has mass commercial appeal on the Internet.  I do have more than a few tips on living on nothing, afterall.  When I think to do that, though, I object.  I object to the idea of once again immersing myself in a world where spending is bad and happy is making due.

I've come to learn that maybe there are a few other people out there, like me, who don't need any more advice on HOW to spend less or save more.  We know it already, or are bombarded with the tips and tricks everytime we turn on the computer, turn to the television, or open the newspaper.

Perhaps all we need, all I need, is just the occasional reminder not to let my guard down.  Not to slack off from frugality completely....and the reassurance that I am not the only one who balks at modern-day gluttony...while wishing I was innocent enough to enjoy it.