Broke at 30, the everyman story..
When I turned 29 I was effectively unemployed, running out of money quickly and living in Austin getting ready to see where things might take me next. You see in my twenties I listened to talking heads like Gary Vee who would say to try and out a bunch of things in your twenties and for me that didn’t include working in the corporate world. Although I studied Economics in college I graduated with mediocre grades, I was quite lost in regard to my purpose, and I didn’t love any of the options I in front of me and those I did love, didn’t love me back. By 29 I had tried my hand at acting and had some success in commercials and some other acting gigs, I did landscaping, I worked part time for a refugee resettlement program for the American government that actually paid well and was a pretty interesting experience. I even worked in fine dining for a few short years among other odd jobs throughout.
It was a time of instability in many ways, of finding a sense of purpose and to some extent perhaps a bit of Peter Pan syndrome where I just wasn’t ready to face the real world and grow up. On the eve of my 29th I had an intimate dinner with some friends (mind you I was pretty broke even though you couldn’t really tell on the outset) and when it came to blowing out my candles my wish for the first time wasn’t new cars, girls, or travel..it was to work for a steady 9–5 job and I truly wanted it with all my heart.
Fast forward 6 months later, as I was in San Antonio living at my parent’s house, I finally got it. I got a call one morning from an old friend who I hadn’t spoken to in over 2 years and he offered me a job in the world of construction. I’ve always been fairly handy thanks to my years of wandering but mind you had almost no experience, yet I agreed. For the rest of that year leading up to 30, I was working non stop and even moved to Houston where I live in a quaint one bedroom and I’m coming up on completing almost a full year with my company.
So yes, improvements have been made, although at times slow, progress is being made and will continue to be made. All that should never keep you from beginning to understand and master your own personal finance. Because despite all my efforts up until now I still don’t have all that much to show for. It’s for the same reason everyone is fairly broke and spends almost everything that they make. Almost no one truly tracks their money coming in and going out, I mean the word budget has been thrown out the window. Even in a place like Texas where gas and other goods are cheaper, people still over spend.
Maxing out credit cards is a culprit by trying to keep up and justify spending when you don’t have the money. Eating out is a problem area for me too at times, overspending at expensive gyms, not saving for unforeseen emergencies, saying yes to too many family gatherings etc where you know you’re going to spend. You don’t have to go to every weekend outting, it’s okay to be home alone and semi-bored at times, I sometimes prefer it as of late and often times one job isn’t going to cover all the bills in the beginning. If it weren’t for me being in the fortunate position of having an extra vehicle I can rent out on an app like Turo I would be even worse off. I don’t want to keep the focus of this rant on just expenses but it is important to get a handle and see exactly why its stacking up so quickly when you were certain that this month, you got it under control. Finding ways to invest in things that can make you money or if you’re really raking it in I’m sure investing in ETF’s or other savvy financial tools is your go to for the long game for you.
Outside of sales and outside of my base salary and commissions I rent out a car which brings me on average an extra $500-$650 monthly, and I’m even thinking that vending machines might be another viable option with a low investment fixed cost. To be honest though I am still in step 1, pay off credits cards, save a 1K as soon as possible and keep growing it, and commit to tracking each day. Until then I can put most frivolous things on hold and even hold off on having a meaningful relationship.
In summary, as I approach my one year with my company I am optimistic about making progress and dare I say committed. Let’s see where this year takes us and what improvements we make to move a step forward to our rich lives.
Cheers!
