BEING BROKE: A LOVE STORY

Summer's kicked in, school loan money has ran out, and I'm riding on $15 until my next paycheck, four weeks from now. 

It didn't actually occur to me how utterly broke I was until my friend asked me if I'd be interested in joining her to go to Cancun. That's what people do in summer-- get out of Oregon. I thought for a split second that would be fun, until I realized my card was getting declined at 711 to buy a $3.99 salad. Looking back, it probably wasn't that great of a salad anyway. 

I had to sit down. Breathe deeply. Peer at my bank statement online anxiously from behind a pillow, and that's when I realized I'd have to make some changes.

Phase one: Work. More. 

I was already at the maximum hours at my current desk job, so I looked into other resources. I'd redesigned my friend's resume before and she'd loved it, so I decided to outsource that skill online. All of a sudden, I'd started my own sort of mini business, redesigning boring resumes to look bold and beautiful as my friends were applying for new jobs, ranging from business gigs to chefs. Speaking of, need anything designed? Hit a girl up.

I applied for another position as a marketing intern for a start-up coming to Eugene, Crunch Button. Now, along with another student, we'll be signing businesses and recruiting workers. Still though, these were jobs that were going to take a while to kick in and start paying out, so I worked on how else I could survive on an utterly empty budget.

Phase two: Say goodbye to spendy social life.

No more bars, eating at restaurants, movies. Ration my laundry and wash clothes in the sink. Get comfortable with the groceries I have, because it will be awhile to replace them. I just ran out of fruit, so I'll be sure to take those vitamins I forgot about. Make sure to consume the perishables first- there's nothing more heartbreaking than throwing out (or getting food poisoning from) expired food when you're broke.

Learn to be comfortable with the phrase, "that sounds fun, but I'm kind of broke right now. Let's do something else." That's all. 

Not "Well, I can barely afford lunch that isn't PB&J or electricity so I often spend evenings on total darkness while you're wondering which sandals to buy from Nordstrom so let's see, hmm, I probably can't go to the bar later."

Embrace it. This is an opportunity. 

Phase three: Find amazing free things to do. Do them. 

When you can no longer go about your regular fun activities, it seems as though you're trapped in your apartment, like you don't even deserve to go outside. With no money, there is no more to do in the whole world. This is untrue, I've discovered, but it does take some creativity to find fun, free things to do. Here are a few:

Mmm. My bread did not look like this.

• Digging out those baking mixes/recipes you always intended to make. When you're running out of food, it's interesting to go through your cupboards and find new exciting things. Today, I found a baking mix for cinnamon raisin bread which I miraculously had all the ingredients for.  The yeast was expired, but it actually turned out pretty awesome. 
• Find a friend with Netflix/Xfinity. Line up those movies/TV shows you've been meaning to watch. Cuddle up next to a date or binge watch on your own- either will be satisfying. Write a review for it afterward. I'm currently watching the Walking Dead, Wilfred, and the Office on Netflix all at the same time; it depends on my mood. I just watched the film Enough Said on Xfinity and it was delightful. 
• Call/visit your parents. They know what it was like to be in college. They may even take pity on you and spot you some extra cash. At least a phone call will give you some comfort and the knowledge that worse case scenario, you can always come home (time/distance permitting). There's nothing like home-cooked food... delicious, FREE home-cooked food.
• Get outside. Guess what's free? Fresh air. Trees. Walking. Soak it up! The city can be discouraging to wander in to, as you may just pass places you would love to visit if you had the money, but nature is all yours, baby. Organize a hike with some friends or simply walk in the park, a nearby forest, or in a new neighborhood. Check out a river and dip your feet in, or soak up the sun by the shore. Oregon is beautiful. Nature/people watch.
• Have a friend visit from out of town. Especially an old friend. Have them stay with you, watch movies and eat together, have a blast. You won't be lonely, and by the time they leave, you'll be happy to have your own space again.
• Work out. Ugh, I know, right? I hate working out just as much as the next person but just a little work out today can help you feel a million times more productive and generally awesome. Don't worry, you don't have to run. Grab your yoga mat and do some push-ups/crunches in front of the TV, or dance like crazy to your favorite songs for an hour. 
• Check out the free entertainment. Most places, including Eugene, is packed with it! This includes free days at the museum, free concerts/shows (usually in small, friendly venues), or wine tasting/brewery touring, often with free samples at the end! Or visit an animal shelter and just soak of the glory of adorable cats and dogs. Refrain from stealing them. 
• Find a hobby. Learn or re-learn an instrument you've had sitting around your house/apartment. Draw, even though you know you can't. Start writing again like you said you would. Read those books you got as last minute gifts. Try to do some damn origami or improve your photography skills/lack there of. If you're like me, even with multiple jobs, you've got time. 

This is when you're beyond budgeting and need hope. You have literally nothing in your bank account, and the world seems a dim, meaningless place without money. But this isn't true. It's summer, after all.