How to be broke and live rich

I’ve been broke my entire life. But I’ve also never felt like I’m living in poverty. I figured I’d make a list of a few things that I do to trick myself and others into thinking I have it better off than I really do. Note that this is for people who are broke but haven’t fallen below the poverty line. If you’re making on par with welfare checks you may not be able to do all of these things. <br><br>&#x200B;<br><br>1. **Bathes.** Everyone has access to clean water, and most have access to hot water. Showering, brushing your teeth, and adding some baby powder to absorb wet spots in your hand me down underwear make a huge difference. If you can’t brush your teeth, pull together enough money to get some baking soda and mix it with water. It’s cheap as fuck and keeps your breath and teeth better than nothing. <br><br>2. **Dress well.** Don’t buy new clothes. You don’t have money, remember? But you can make your hand me down or second hand clothes look like they were tailored. If you have a little money spring for a sewing kit and get to work. Cut your jeans into perfect condition. Sew worn out or split spots. Buy a belt and keep your pants up. Wear a clean shirt with an unfolded collar, and keep the button down. <br><br>3. **Eat healthy.** Not eating healthy is a choice. Ramen noodles are cheaper than canned beans, but they are also more expensive than an ounce of peanut butter and a pound of flour to make your own PB noodles. If you’re broke, you have time. Take that time and read up on your cheapest options, and fish through second hand and dollar stores. <br><br>4. **Have a social life.** Just because you’re broke doesn’t mean you can’t go out. If you have a car and insurance, you’re more fortunate than you think. You have something someone else wants. Trade your car time for rides, share a date and split the bill, or throw a party where everyone is expected to bring a few bottles of their cheapest wine. Keep your dates at your house until you actually start dating, or find a date who is in a similar situation as yourself. <br><br>5. **Make your house look nice.** Second hand stores are full of decorative items. If you have a yard, go out and collect your own decorations. My date and I went on a walk and picked up some nice branches and some rocks to decorate my apartment. If you have an apartment, keep your area clean. I keep my yard clean by mowing it myself instead of paying the owner to. <br><br>6. **Don’t buy yourself treats.** This is one a lot of people get screwed up on. If you can’t afford to go out to eat or buy good food, find a date you can share expenses with instead of buying yourself treats. <br><br>7. **Learn to do your hair and makeup.** This is the biggest one. If you can’t pull yourself together, you’re gonna look broke and homeless. Do everything yourself for free, pull together the money for the bare essentials, or find something you can barter with. Do everything yourself for free, pull together the money for the bare essentials, or find something you can barter with. For instance, if you can bake well, you can trade baked goods for haircuts. <br><br>&#x200B;