You Can't Afford To Go To The Movies

I’m increasingly annoyed by people who claim they’re broke yet fritter away their money endlessly.  I can accept that we all need to indulge occasionally for our own sanity, but I think most of us could use a little bit of tough love when it comes to what we can and can’t afford.

So here’s my list. 

If you’re broke you can’t afford to….

-       Go to the Movies.

o   Movies are absurdly expensive.  There’s nothing about them that can justify me spending $13 a head.  I can get almost two months of netflix for that price.  At $13/week going to the movies will cost you $676 a year.

-       Buy Concessions.

o   If funds are tight there is no excuse to be buying concessions in places where prices are inflated two to three times their regular retail price.  The movies, amusement parks, sporting events, etc.  Plan ahead and bring your own refreshments.  It’ll save you more than any popcorn and soda is worth.

-       Smoke.

o   Not only is smoking disgusting, it’s expensive.  I can’t think of one positive thing about smoking, the fact that it’s still as prevalent as it is boggles my mind, but that’s another topic altogether.

-       Have a Pet.

o   Having a pet is a MAJOR expense.  Food, veterinary care,  mats, litter boxes, the damage to your furniture and floors.  Pets are not for people who don’t have enough money to support themselves.  It’s not fair to you or to them.

-       Buy the latest Technology.

o   For someone who is “broke” to own a laptop, kindle, iphone, ipod, and ipad is nonsensical.  Stop buying things that are redundant- it’s money you don’t have.

-       Have an Unlimited Data Plan.

o   Unless you have family that works for the phone company you can’t afford a plan with unlimited data.  You can live without posting your exact location on twitter from your cell phone every hour.  I

-       Eat out.

o   Going out to eat once can run up a tab of anywhere from a day to a week to a months worth of groceries.  It’s a no brainer.  Eat at home and pack your lunch. 

-       Make daily coffee runs.

o   One $3 cup of coffee a day will run you over a thousand dollars a year.  Buy a travel mug and brew at home.

-       Attend every wedding, shower, and bachelorette party.

o   Clothing, transportation, gifts- weddings are an expensive enterprise and not just for the bride and groom.  Chances are most of your friends will get married while you’re still in your broke years- but unless you want to be broke forever, you have to pick and choose.  Destination wedding in Fiji? Unless it’s a brother or sister, I don’t think so.

-       Go away every weekend.

o   Even if it’s to your parents’ or friends’ upstate house, paying for that much gas each weekend is not in the broke budget.

-       Run up a Bar Tab every weekend.

o   It amazes me that people don’t realize they’ve dropped 60 or a 100 bucks at the bar till the next day.  Pregame at home and stick to one or two drinks that are on special when you get to the bar.

-       Get your hair cut and colored every six weeks.

o   Skip the color for a few years and stretch the cuts out to two or three times a year.   Skip the salon in favor of a cosmetology school and you’ll save hundreds of dollars a year.

-       Go Shopping.

o   Shopping has become a past time rather than a task. Random meandering will inevatibly lead to unnecessary purchases.  Go to the store only when you need something and only purchase what’s on your list.

These are not all black and white (except smoking, yuck).  I go out to eat, I buy gifts, I like to plan getaways.  This is just my tough love list.  When I indulge in any of these activities I think carefully beforehand and acknowledge that it truly is a a treat.  Something special that I will enjoy here and now because it’s not something that I can afford on a regular basis. There has to be some beautiful in the broke life, but too much beautiful will keep you broke forever.