Poor or Broke?

Broke Vs. Poor

(True story) 

When I was growing up, my next-door-neighbor was a single mom who supported herself with her writing. Needless to say, she did not have issues of where to invest all that excess income.

One thing she used to say, which stuck in my mind was:

“I’m not poor, I’m just always broke.”

I remember being a little confused with this. Weren’t poor and broke the same thing? I just didn’t get it.

Now that I’m a certified grown-up, I think I understand what she was getting at.

To describe oneself as poor is to accept a place in a lower strata. To believe that there is a distinction between the classes, and you’re simply stuck at the bottom. It’s who you are, and there’s no way out. The long term view.

To be broke, means you have no money, but it’s a temporary situation. You’re just one good writing assignment away from financial stability. You may have an empty bank account now, but flush times are just around the corner.

Is there a real difference between poor and broke?

Of course not.

I’m not suggesting that poverty isn’t a valid and real existence for millions of people the world over.

But it sure is more satisfying to be frugal because you’re broke, rather than because you’re poor.

And I’ve certainly been broke in my life, but I sure as hell have never been poor.

Have you ever refused to take money saving measures because you didn’t want to be perceived as poor? Tell us about it in the comments section below.