The issue of being broke is one that everyone seems to have their own definition of. For some people, being broke means not having a single coin in their pocket. For others, it could mean not having “enough” to do what they want. Personally, when I say I am broke, it does not always mean that my account is completely empty. Sometimes, it simply means I don’t have the money to cover the things that are most important to me at that moment.
To me, being broke starts showing when I can’t afford my basic needs without thinking twice. For example, as a lady living in Nigeria, I know I am broke if I cannot buy foodstuff comfortably for the week, pay my transport fare without borrowing, or recharge my phone to stay connected. Another big sign for me is when I start calculating even the smallest amounts before spending, like asking myself, “Should I buy this N200 snack now, or save it for tomorrow’s transport?” That’s when I know I’m running low.
If I want to put a figure to it, I would say that once my wallet or account balance goes below ₦5,000, I already consider myself broke. That’s because ₦5,000 in Nigeria today cannot take you far. Transport alone can swallow a good part of it within a few days, and feeding is another challenge. Once I get to that stage where I start prioritizing between food and transport, then I know I am truly broke.
I remember a particular time when I felt the weight of being broke. I had just paid some unexpected bills, and by the end of the week, my account balance was less than ₦2,000. At first, I laughed about it, telling myself I could manage. But then, I needed to buy gas for cooking, and I also had transport needs. I had to make a choice between eating a decent meal and finding my way to where I was supposed to go. It was not funny at all. That experience taught me how quickly money can disappear and how stressful it is to live without enough.
But being broke is not only about money in my pocket. Sometimes, I see it as being unable to live the life I want because of financial limits. For example, if I want to take a short trip to relax or buy something small for myself but I cannot, then I also consider that being broke. To me, real financial freedom means being able to meet both my needs and a few wants without fear.
In conclusion, my definition of being broke is simple: it is when I don’t have enough to comfortably take care of my needs, and I am forced to make hard choices over little expenses. I believe many people can relate to this because, in one way or the other, we have all experienced that feeling of financial dryness. The truth is, nobody likes being broke, but at some point, it humbles us and reminds us of the value of money.
At the end of the day, being broke may mean different things to different people, but for me, it is that moment when I can no longer live with ease and that’s exactly when reality reminds me how important money truly is.
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