Stuff to See!

Being Broke for Fun and (No) Profit

I've been broke forever.
As a small child, I never had much money, but I did have playtime and free food, so that was good.
As a teenager, I had more money, but no discipline for saving it, having my father's sieve-like hand with the dollar. Except for one 3-week long period where I saved every bit of lunch money and allowance in anticipation of the release of Mortal Kombat for the Sega Genesis, I'd never have money for much longer than a weekend. Of course I didn't get a paying job until I was done my first year of college...and that didn't help.
In college I was broke, too, until I got my job with Giant, starting as a cashier, working 20 hours a week, and supporting a smoking habit. Then I stopped taking even the tiniest student loans...and I was broke again.
After college, when I could work more hours, living rent free, I was less broke for a time. Sure, I'd never save much money, but at least I could buy pretty much whatever I wanted. Looking back on the numbers, I made about $35,000 during that time (22 months). Even when I picked up a truck of my own, my expenses should have been just under $600 a month.
And then I moved out, adding another $600+ to the living expenses. While I stayed with Giant, I had my head above water, fighting off the mounting hill of bills with all the money I could muster, taking gobs of overtime, working like a dog, but still not quite broke. It was a good time, but thanks to many things I won't get into here, it had to end. I was better off....
And then I felt the drastic pay cut (in the neighborhood of $10,000 a year)...and was broke again. More often did I find myself letting others pick up the tab for me, mooching beer from people, obliging family members to fill my gas tank for services I'd gladly provide (and should provide) free of need for recapitulation. In short, my conditions now are starting to look more like the conditions under which I grew up (which were pretty grim and slim). Waiting for the boom to come down...
Waiting for my bosses to see my worth, and give me a big fat raise.
Waiting to get that promotion.
Inching toward the edge...