THE POWER OF BEING BROKE
by Angela Oberer

“Only in America can you drive a Jaguar and not have the money to put gas in it.”

In his book Financial Peace, ISBN: 0670873616, Dave Ramsey inspires us with his personal tale of woe. Going from four million in real estate as America’s golden boy, to bankrupt and becoming his creditors most wanted owe-you boy. He takes you through a common pain many who are still jobless face today, and leads you through the process of restoring hope to yourself and your family.

Webster defines “broke” as being interrupted or penniless. That’s all. It doesn’t mean you lose your personality, your sense of humor, or your friends. It means teetering on the tight rope of tough times until you get back on your feet and enjoying the process. Poor on the other hand is a personal rain cloud drizzling worry and anxiety all over you. Poor is being so caught up in what is wrong with your life you can’t find the strength to begin anew.

Empirical wisdom suggests that if you live long enough, you’ll probably at some point in your life, for whatever reason, fall behind on a promise or a payment, if not lose everything all at once. Here are some simple solutions to help you through being broke and keep you from being poor:

• Make a list of all the things you now possess. Start with your health, family, friends, and things that money cannot buy. You’ve seen the Master Card commercials that put a price tag on the material things, and then for good measure, they toss in one that’s “priceless.”  No matter how broke you are, you can still enjoy and appreciate a magnificent sunset – that’s priceless. Fill your life with things that are priceless, and you’ll never be poor.

• Observe Abundance. You can’t live an abundant life if you ignore abundance. Just as you can’t hear a song from a radio you don’t turn on. Look around you, chances are you’ll see an abundance of something, rain, snow, darkness, people, traffic, toys, papers, deadlines. Abundance is everywhere.

• Don’t seek financial advice from those who are themselves broke and have no money. If you find yourself at rock bottom, don’t go telling all your broke family or friends – go to the library and check out some books on money management and economic strategy. Go to free financial seminars often advertised in the local section of your daily newspaper. When you can afford it, seek the wisdom of a professional whose specialty is debt repair or investments.

• Get creative. Often we get trapped in a rut of doing things a certain way, and that way is not necessarily the most productive or cost efficient way to accomplish that task. Ask yourself questions like: How else can I do this? What other supplies can I use? Who else can help me? What can I use as a replacement? Is there a way someone else can finance it? The mind is an amazing tool – you ask it new questions, and it finds new answers.

• Get motivated. Being broke and having a family to provide for is powerful. Create alternative sources of revenue to supplement your income. Go to a small business owner and offer your services on a pay-as-you-perform basis. Do piece work. Wash windows, clean houses, do landscaping, do some freelance writing or web design. Consult in your industry on your area of expertise, offer an hourly daycare service, or detail cars. Walk dogs or do some pet sitting. Deliver newspapers or start your own courier service.  Rachel and Taylor, two ten year olds around the corner pick up my mail when I’m traveling and water my plants. Small enterprise - doesn’t require a lot of skill.

• Fight for your right to be broke if you must, but don’t ever allow yourself to be poor.

Angela Oberer © 2008, Oberer is the author of the "Be Well Series".  You can send your questions and comments to her at: Angela@WordsofWellness.com