Greetings barbarians! Long days and pleasant nights!
It has been 8 months since the day I’ve quit my job and boy, it has been 8 gritty months!
Being poor is quite an ordeal, and it has tested my resolve. But it also taught me a thing or two about life.
Here are a few things being poor taught me:
- Money can’t buy happiness, but it helps – stop thinking like money is the root of all evil. While it is with absolute certainty that money cannot buy you happiness but is also vital. Back then, I never worried about money; I have a decent job that pays well and that’s all that mattered. All this changed when my daughter came along. When you have a responsibility, you cannot afford not to have money. Have respect for money, your parents spent a great of it to have you not to think like that.
- Having a little goes a long way – all my talk about being poor must leave you thinking how I am surviving all this time. It was simple but it’s quite hard, to be honest. I audit myself all the time and track where my money goes. I invested any money I saved to have a sort of passive cash flow. I started doing some short-term or menial jobs to have an active cash flow and try to spend less as much as I could. Never put all your eggs in one basket, you can do much with very little – you have to be smart about it.
- Make everything count – since I spend very little, I salvage anything that I could. If something broke, I fixed as soon as possible. I alter any clothes that don’t fit right, instead of buying new. Squeeze everything out from a tube of toothpaste, reuse and recycle when you must.
- Save as much as you can before spending – follow a savings scheme that works for you and stick with it. For me, it’s the 20-50-30 rule, 20% for savings, 50% for basic expenses and 30% for lifestyle expenses. The important thing is to save money first, then spend the rest. That way you are securing funds that you may need in the future. If you cannot save 20% of your money, then you must re-evaluate your expense. It means that you are living beyond your means.
- Be aggressive in paying down your debts – debts are a fact of life, and loans sometimes can’t be helped. I’d be honest, I’ve accumulated quite a debt over the past months. I’ve relied on my credit card for groceries and emergency expenses. But I always allot a huge chunk on my current income in demolishing my debts. The thing about debt is that they have an interest, and the longer you have one, the longer you must pay the interest. Interest that could better off go into your savings. The idea is to build up savings while paying down your debts as soon as possible.
- Be thankful for everything – period. Always be grateful despite how little you think you have right now. I know things are tough, but others have it tougher. The thing is, complaining won’t make things any better. It’s not always merry at the barbarian stronghold. There are tougher moments than pleasant ones I could count off. But, whenever I’m about to complain, I stop and remind myself that I have no reason to. Others have it tougher, I should be grateful that I still have something despite how little I think is it. I keep reminding myself that tough times don’t last, but tough people do.
I could say that being poor is a tough situation to be in, it requires a lot of patience and hard work to bounce back. With that said, it is not impossible to come out of poverty. You must be smart and remain strong.
As for me, things are looking bright right now. The hard work is now paying off and by November I’d reach a financial milestone after a year of being unemployed.
To courage, freedom, and financial independence!
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That’s the beauty about struggle — it teaches us how to be wiser with things and more appreciative of the things we have. Looks like you’ve got everything handled. Really awesome advice and wishing you the best on reaching those milestones!
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I agree! The hottest forge tempers the greatest steel. Thank you for joining in! =)
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You’re very welcome, Mr. A! My pleasure. 😊
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Seems your hard work is paying off—in so many ways. Here’s to steel! Cheers!
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Thank you NZ! It was tough, i have to go on diet mode! Hahahaha! Just kidding 😅
Cheers!
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Haha! Congratulations on a job well done. Now the work begins…
🙂
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Wonderful and honest post. At the age of 55 i am learning what how the lack of money has had a negative impact on my life. Growing up i was never taught about the value of money because what i witnessed was people just barely making it. This same behaviour followed me until last year. I am doing much better and learning to mentor my spending, increase savings and most important to me budge for my trips.💖
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Wow… Thank you for joining in!
I really do believe that a true sign of greatness is doing more with less. Not anyone can turn a lump of coal into gold.
I’m really inspired by your story, thank you!
Cheers to you! 🍸
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Wisdom. Sharp. Prudent. Responsible. Active. Far sighted. Disciplined. Adaptable. Critical Thinking. Frugal. Economy. Freedom. Innovative. Imaginative. Optimistic. Reality Centered/concrete. Discerning. Sharing.
Here are your attributes. Not particularly in order; just what I see from what you wrote. Super grateful for the insight.
Oh…Insightful. Add that to the top of the list.
Love this! Thank you!
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Wow, thats too much!
Thank you, you are too kind.
Cheers! 🍸
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My parents taught me to be frugal when you have to, appreciate what you have when you have it, but to live, enjoy and spend it wisely when you have it. There were times we were very poor, and times we had plenty of money, I think living both ways taught me so much. I’m sure you are teaching your daughter some valuable lessons!
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I agree with your parents. For me, it was a bit too late for me when I realize that I have to be smart in regards to money. But im glad to know my lesson even when I learned it the hard way!
Cheers to you, Tiffany! 🍸
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It’s weird, but my hard times have become my best times. I certainly welcome rain, give me sunshine.
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I agree! To fully understand happiness, one must first experience suffering!
But that’s just me, I believe that man will rot under too much comfort.
Cheers! 🍸
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What an honest and heartfelt post you wrote. I still have my job, alhamdulillah, but I still follow some of these… Be aggressive to pay the debt… The debts and the loans suck the life out of a person. It did for me, at least…
Look at me ranting… Of I go…
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I agree loans are useful if you really know what you’re doing.
Thank you for joining in! Cheers! 🍸
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A very interesting blog concept. Thank you too for following my blog. °°🐟~~
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You’re always welcome! Cheers! 🍸
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Very relevant and true!!! Thank you for sharing!!!
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Thank you for joining in! I appreciate it! Cheers! 🍸
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Make everything count. I admire that you don’t complain and just get on with the job of living.
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People always leave off the first bit of the quote about money and evil. It’s the love of money, not money itself. There’s quite a difference between living for money and money for living.
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Hi! Thanks for joining in! =)
About living for money and money for living; honestly, I don’t see anything wrong with it. If one has money, good for them. I never make a habit of counting the change in another man’s pocket. But, what they do about the their money is a different story.
Cheers to you!
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