When would you consider yourself broke?

[couponscholar]

I know we all have vastly different circumstances, and for many of us, those circumstances are in flux right now (for better or for worse).

But, when (either rationally or in your gut) would you consider yourself "broke"?

Having debt?

More debt than assets?

More debt than liquid assets?

A checking/ liquid asset balance under $xxx?

Not having $xxx cash in your wallet?

Not having any cash or liquid assets?

Putting off repairs/maintenance etc, that will cost more later, but you can't pay now?

Having bills past due?

Not having food/ shelter?

Where is your personal line? What factors are most important to you? And--whether you are right at the line or have a comfortable margin....Where would you say?:

"THIS is it......"

[shelleyf]

I am broke in money and owe debt, but I consider myself blessed. I am rich in love. I am blessed because I have a wonderful husband, and three precious children. I have a roof over my head and food on the table (thanks to everyone at HCW explaining how to get cheap, good food). All my bills are paid even though it means no extras right now. We are healthy, so no worries there. I have God who sees me through the rough patches. He makes me feel like there's nothing that I can't overcome. I am looking for a better job, but I am blessed because I do have one. Some people aren't as fortunate as me. Some people are more fortunate than me. I am not materialistic so that definitely helps. I am a giver so I give whatever I have to others who might need it more than I do.

[daisydog215]

For me, I would feel financially broke if I wasn't able to stay up to date on bills or could only pay the mininum on cc.

[faeryedark]

I am broke in money and owe debt, but I consider myself blessed. I am rich in love. I am blessed because I have a wonderful husband, and three precious children. I have a roof over my head and food on the table (thanks to everyone at HCW explaining how to get cheap, good food). All my bills are paid even though it means no extras right now. We are healthy, so no worries there. I have God who sees me through the rough patches. He makes me feel like there's nothing that I can't overcome. I am looking for a better job, but I am blessed because I do have one. Some people aren't as fortunate as me. Some people are more fortunate than me. I am not materialistic so that definitely helps. I am a giver so I give whatever I have to others who might need it more than I do.

Amen!!! I find that God always provides for me (my needs) and sometimes my wants.
We have food and a roof, vehicles (there have been times when we didn't have a car)
I have about a $1 in the bank (@ the moment) hubby gets paid today. I don't have any major debt and nothing past due or about to be shut off.

I don't know that I'd call myself broke tho' because I have other resources. ECBs, credit in my Amazon acct, 50lbs of aluminium I could cash in, and a stockpile I could barter.In my mind, we're fine.

[Mothernature]

This may not sit well with some; when we can not take a vacation. We normally travel 2-3 times a year. In 14 months (10/08-12/09), we've taken 4 vacations.

[faeryedark]

This may not sit well with some; when we can not take a vacation. We normally travel 2-3 times a year. In 14 months (10/08-12/09), we've taken 4 vacations.

Nah, that's the beauty of it, everyone has their own definitions. We like to camp, for us,that's a vacation. Minimal cost,but IMO the results are the same. We get away, we relax, we spend time together as a family, and depending where we go, we sight-see or whatever.

[aeflower]

I've always been broke, so I'm not sure what my measuring stick is. LOL!

[Coriander]

For myself, I think if I knew I couldn't pay my bills and had no emergency cash or savings, I would feel completly broke. Of course I have faith just like the next person but that "feeling" of being broke would be there. But thanks to stockpiling, we would have something to eat.

[puakinikini]

I think for me I feel "broke" when I am living paycheck to paycheck without putting money into savings. We make good money (when both employed) but have a lot of expenses that cannot be cut (and a few that we rather not, i.e. piano lessons for our oldest).

[oceanbreeze]

Broke:

When you do not have the $$ to pay past due bills and you don't have the money to put gas in the car and thinking of a savings is but a distant dream. When you find out you'll be out on your heels in a month or so time and have no where to go...and no CC's , no job, no insurance... yeah times were rough.

to me that's broke, and i've come close to that in my life many,many years ago.

I got through it, wasn't fun and wasn't easy but i did survive. but everyone's idea of this is different.