Understanding the Fundamental Difference Between Being Poor Versus Being Broke

The more I speak about being poor, the more I realize how fundamentally other folks misunderstand what it means to be poor versus being broke.

Being broke sucks. You are watching every dollar spent, finding ways to trim or make things stretch until the next payday.

The difference is when you are broke you have some money. You can afford to put gas in your car, but not enough to do that and also go out to eat.

When you are poor, you don't have money. You don't have the luxury of choosing between gas and eating out - you're choosing between gas and eating, period.

Most advice from non-poor folks isn't helpful because it assumes a level of financial flexibility that simply doesn't exist in poverty.