Always Broke? Here’s Why Eating Smart Matters

Rex McKee
Sep 5, 2025
2 min read

Don't complain about being "Broke" do something about it!

We all know someone who always says, “I’m broke.” The paycheck is gone before it even hits the bank. The bills pile up. The credit cards get maxed. And yet, when you look at where the money goes, it’s often the same story: fast food bags in the car, energy drinks from the gas station, frozen dinners stuffed in the freezer, and takeout containers stacked by the trash.

Here’s the hard truth:You can’t live like you’re rich if you’re broke.And food is one of the biggest places people waste money without even realizing it.

The “I Deserve It” Trap

A lot of people convince themselves that they “deserve” convenience food after a long day at work. But here’s the reality: that $12 burger meal doesn’t care if you’re tired, and it doesn’t care if you’re broke either. Do that three times a week and you’ve just thrown away $150 a month that could’ve paid your electric bill.

Cooking at home isn’t punishment — it’s survival. And if you want to stop being broke, survival has to come before convenience.

Eating Poor to Stay Poor

When people refuse to eat frugally, they end up paying twice:

Financially – Takeout and pre-packaged food costs 3–5 times more than cooking from scratch.
Physically – Cheap fast food hits your wallet and your health. Doctor bills aren’t cheap either.

Ironically, the very people who claim they can’t afford groceries often spend more than anyone else — just in the wrong places.

How to Break the Cycle

Cook once, eat twice. A whole chicken for $8 can become dinner, sandwiches, and soup stock. That’s three meals instead of one.
Stop with the excuses. You don’t need to be a chef to boil pasta, scramble eggs, or make a pot of beans.
Shop with purpose. Walk past the frozen dinners. Ignore the energy drinks. Stick to basics: rice, beans, vegetables, eggs, and cheaper cuts of meat.

The Bottom Line

If you’re always broke, it’s time to ask yourself: are you broke because you don’t make enough… or because you refuse to spend wisely?

You can’t control everything, but you can control what you put in your shopping cart. Stop buying poverty disguised as convenience. Start eating real food.

Because here’s the truth: you’ll stay broke if you keep eating broke.