Feature

The Upside of Broke

Monday Mar 30, 2009 – By A.C. Workman

stk325098rkn To all the spoiled heiresses, coddled socialites and rich-for-no-reason, debutante-princesses with Pomeranians peekin’ out from the top of your brand new Louis V. bags: mommy misses you (sniff), terribly.

Never in a million years did I think I could be nostalgic for vapid chit-chat about Lindsay’s fake bake tan (and why she never sprays her feet?), but there it is. Between talk of economic downturns, foreclosures, outsourcing, stock losses and bailouts, the fact is that things have changed, and not for the better.

The gravy days of retail spending are gone. What’s left of my once Carrie Bradshaw wannabe fabulous girlfriends is a sorority of laid-off or scared they may get laid-off girls–the girls of Po’ Phi Po’. We have all taken an oath that we will support each other through thick and thin (bank accounts) and start counting our blessings. And indeed, there are still some blessings to count. Off the top of my head I can think of at least three different under-appreciated advantages of being “liberated” from the chains of excess capital.

Now, I know being broke isn’t anywhere near being cute. Broke is not the new pink, and I know that cash still rules everything around me, just like the Wu prophesied. But, the fact remains that the economy has gone to hell with the help of $900.00 Gucci handbags bought on credit. It’s not just hard out here for a pimp anymore. So what’s a girl to do? Just sit around and cry over her second request for payment notices? Well, of course not! Sometimes in life a sista goes through temporary setbacks with her money from no direct fault of her own.

In the meantime whilst chewing our manicures and praying for Daddy Obama to kiss the economy and make it all better, I say we look at the glass as half full. Life has thrown us some olives. Let’s make some dirty martinis. I give you three good reasons why having limited means doesn’t necessarily limit a girl’s swagger.

#1 Your Wardrobe Will Improve
In my humble, non-biased, broke opinion, poor chicks dress way better than trust fund babes! They can drop two grand on a pair of skinny-leg jeans if they want. But when it comes to style, it’s all about how you rock it, and monetarily challenged Clutchettes are killing the style game! When a girl doesn’t have the means to get her floss on at Barney’s, she suddenly grows a fashion personality. She is forced to dress with more originality because her budgetary situation demands the incorporation of thrift and vintage store gems into her wardrobe. The piece in my closet that scores the most complements is not the Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress that I blew about two whole paychecks to get. It’s the beat down leather Shaft jacket I found at the Salvation Army in 1995 for seven bucks, which I accessorize with my 75-cent vintage scarf. Thrift naturally incites boldness and styling innovation, ladies. Look hard at some of the most original dressers in the game: Gwen Stefani, M.I.A., Erykah Badu, and tell me they were able to hone their non-conformist, idiosyncratic fashion senses without swagger-jacking a couple-few thrift stores in their time. You just can’t buy “unique” at the mall.

#2 Mad Flava in Your Mouth: You Will Develop More Inventiveness in Your Cuisine
What’s the joke? Poverty, it’s what’s NOT for dinner. Well, it’s not even remotely funny. I won’t lie and tell you you’ll eat better when you’re poor. You won’t. But, I will say that limited funds make a girl really appreciate the free honey packets she gets from KFC and the interesting items she finds hidden in the back of her cupboard. A lady of limited means has more time to stop and smell the Spicy Thai Chicken Ramen Noodles, if you know what I mean. I’ll also say, that in the culinary world, just as in fashion, necessity is the mother of invention. Some of the most delicious food of all time, came about simply because poor folks were trying to “make do” with scraps. Everything from pizza to soul food to fondue to bouillabaisse to barbecued ribs started out as essentially throwaway food that the poor or peasant folk were trying to get the most use out of. Know that hoity-toity, delectable Spanish rice dish called Paella? Well, it literally translates to “leftovers.” Eating in and experimenting with what’s in the cupboards may just enhance your culinary skills.

#3 You Will Learn to Heart the Library
When entertainment budgets dwindle, what’s a girl to do? Why, she’ll hit the public library and read more trashy novels and more Zen self-help guides than Oprah’s Book Club. Libraries are the best invention since weave glue. There are an array of free books, music and movies. I’ve discovered all kinds of demented little foreign and indie flicks in the stacks. Last month, it was musicals, now I’m re-discovering all those old African-American cinema classics I’ve always meant to see (Cabin in the Sky, For Love of Ivy, To Sir With Love). If they star Sidney Poitier or Paul Newman in fitted pants (see Paris Blues)….I’m so there.

Alex says:

March 30, 2009 at 2:55 am

Great post. I didn’t wait for the recession to take advantage of my local library. No wonder I’m on the waiting list for some books. :) When I cook at home I feel a sense of accomplishment, and (sometimes) it’s a lot batter than the stuff that is microwaved, put on a ceramic plate with a price hike. I discovered 4 years ago that thrift stores can be your friends.

↑ Reply

Alivia says:

March 30, 2009 at 10:10 am

Excellent article. I’m sure this will be helpful to the sistas who had to down size a little. I personally have been on a shopping budget for a few years now, before all of this confusion with the economy hit! So it has little effect on me. The savvy shopper knows that coupons, discounts and super sales can work to your benefit. You can still dine at the best restaurants, buy the healthy foods at the super markets, get that designer bag and those great pair of shoes to match! You just have to do your research, that is what the internet is for! Ex. you can go on Overstock.com and get some of the best deals on designer clothes and shipping and handling is only $2.95. Endless.com has some great designer shoes, go under sale and get an even bigger discount. Plus shipping and handling is always free both ways. Aerosoles.com has some great shoes for under $20 bucks. You can sign up to different shoe and clothing sites. And when they have sales they usually will send you an email.

My motto is “you can still look gorgeous and keep a few extra dollars in your pockets all while doing so!”

Diana says:

March 30, 2009 at 6:08 pm

I love, love, LOVE this post – it really does bring on home that the end of big money is not the end of the world. I also content that if you know how to cook, you can eat just as fantastically as you would at any restaurant for a fraction of the cost. I’ve been saving for years on canned beans, brown rice in bulk and carefully timed grocery purchases at Sam’s Club for yogurt and that other does-a-body-good stuff. My fiancee still considers eating at home a treat to look forward to – all thanks to that affordable little collection of spices I’ve accumulated over the years.

ceecee says:

March 30, 2009 at 9:35 pm

lol @ Po’ Phi Pho’ my friends and I used to say Broke Phi Broke

Inicua says:

March 31, 2009 at 1:08 am

Fantastic article!! Yup, since I’m way more cash-strapped now I’ve done everything on your list so far! From rediscovering the back of my cupboard which yielded some of the most yummiest dishes so far to being inventive with clothing to showing the library some love!

Tight economic situations really make you appreciate what you have more.
One more thing to add to the list tip 4: Rediscovering your hood! Free staycation in your area by checking out free events and free guides to your city. Check out your local guides by googling your area and guides.

Real Talk says:

March 31, 2009 at 8:06 am

Great read; especially the part about the honey packets at KFC…too funny

Royal K. says:

March 31, 2009 at 2:15 pm

this speaks to the FLyeSt everyday hard working sisters THAT HAVE DONE THIS FOR years, THIS IS A WAY OF LIFE and has been for generations!!!!LOL

Alicia says:

April 1, 2009 at 9:38 pm

Very true. Being broke forces you to be you in all facets of life – money isn’t going to do it for you.

Loved the piece. =)

Stacye says:

April 4, 2009 at 10:44 am

LOL I was in love with the library before I was laid off! And that comment about the creative fashion choices is so true. Ahh the life of the broke and fabulous :)

Lish says:

April 4, 2009 at 3:55 pm

you guys at clutch are def “friends in my head” lol. I was online looking for a jacket. I got one from H & M and a leopard print scarf for $44…great price right??? I thought so. but i thought it was too plain. I went on Ann Taylor and I put a jacket on sale in the cart and a min later it was sold out…I was discouraged because I def have a hard time finding jackets that will accommodate my chest and I wanted a jacket that would make a statement but im like you know what my blk jacket from h & m will be perfect to wear with great printed scarves and wild colors… and those do not cost much…the jacket could be my palette and i saved myself some money.

I love this article!

Mimilicious! says:

April 6, 2009 at 12:00 pm

OMG! I love this article! It is soo true… I’ve taken to smuggling in my own wine and cheese into the movies when I want a fancy night out. :)

Joi says:

April 13, 2009 at 8:38 am

Thanks for this post!! You’ll be surprised how creative you can get when your funds are limited. I’ve become a thrift store junkie myself and have quite the collection of Mason drinking jar collection, lol.

TLyn says:

May 11, 2009 at 12:54 pm

*Another well-written article from Clutch Magazine*

Keep up up the great work ladies! Many more of my friends and classmates from college should read this so I’m going to post this article on my fb and twitter. Obviously, you’re so on point about life just happening and everyone not having a “silverspoon” and how our creativity elevates from being resourceful.

“smell the Spicy Thai Chicken Ramen Noodles”(chuckles)
^_^

+TLyn+

Aaron Thomas says:

June 30, 2009 at 10:39 am

An Excellent Eye Opening Article Which Can Def apply To The Guys. Well Done To The Writer. I Will Be Looking Forward To Your Next One. Aaron

niks59 says:

July 11, 2009 at 8:07 pm

Great article. Especially about being fashion driven.

bposh says:

July 25, 2009 at 10:10 pm

ha i am like the queen of budget shopping! been loving high fashion since i was 16 didn’t start working till i was 17 so i had to pinch pennies!

Jo says: