Every Month is No-Spend November When You Live in Poverty
My friends keep talking about No-Spend November. Some of them are excited — they love a good challenge. Others are worried they won’t make it through the month without splurging on a nonessential purchase.
My friends are good people. I love them, but we have different ideas when it comes to living on a budget. If I say I’m broke, I mean that I have zero dollars — or, if we’re being honest, a negative balance — in my bank accounts. When my friends say they’re broke, they mean that they probably shouldn’t DoorDash half their meals each week, but they can still pay their mortgage and utilities on time if they do.
There’s a disconnect when it comes to our finances, and that’s fine. Other people can manage their money however they want, even if that means complaining funds are tight while still grabbing Chipotle several times a week. Like others living in poverty, I just can’t relate. My financial situation is different.
When my friends mention No-Spend November, I say nothing. I want to tell them that every month is a no-spend month when you’re poor, but I don’t. Why make others uncomfortable when they’re just trying to improve their lives? Most folks don’t realize this fun challenge…
