Going For Broke, but At Least Looking Good While Doing It

When researching teaching abroad, there was one harsh pill that I had to swallow; I am inevitably going to be poor (or rich in life experiences to put it optimistically). To date, my two biggest passions are 1. Traveling and 2. my little Moose-Knuckle, both of which have consumed much of my time and most of my money. Someone recently inquired as to how I've been able to see so much of the world by the age of 24.

Ask and you shall receive... Here is how I've done it, without trying to sound like I'm passing judgement. The most expensive pair of jeans I own set me back $75; my most expensive purse is around $50. I don't have fake nails and my hair isn't fried from constant highlighting. Hell, the most expensive thing I have to my name is my dog, who cost me a pretty penny when he decided to eat carpet, which then got stuck in his stomach, which I in turn paid to have surgically removed. I'm thrifty and resourceful and have always been good at saving money. I am on a "beer" budget and luckily for me, I thoroughly enjoy beer (especially while watching a Bears game, I digress, lo siento).

When comparing US dollars to pesos, the dollar is strong and things appear to be quite inexpensive by our North American standards. A 24 oz Stella will cost you a little more than one US dollar just to give you a rough estimate. I've been sitting pretty exchanging my dollars, getting 4 times the amount back and life has been good. I've been working for about a month, and cannot wait for my first payday which is due in 4 days. I pray getting paid here isn't a bureaucratic nightmare...

Before arriving, I had saved up a nice chunk of change to fall back on; not money to depend on. It's difficult for me to take money out of my savings once it's in there even when all my (womanly) instincts are telling me to spend, spend, spend!

Here's where you will need to brace yourselves... The most I will ever make while down here, with a full-time schedule (Argentine standard of 25.5 hours/week), is $926 USD per month. This year, factoring in the "summer" schedule, I will be earning less than $9,000 and that's being very generous.

I have since gone through the "Seven Steps of Grieving" in regards to my monetary standing.

1. Shock and Denial: "Holy mother, I'm going to have to spend my savings?! No, no, no..."

2. Pain and Guilt: "I can't believe I just spent 300 pesos in two days at Jumbo..."

3. Anger and Bargaining: "10 pesos for a poster?!? I'll give you 2 and not a cussing cent more!!!!"

4. Depression and Loneliness: "My wallet can't bear to be without bills in it..."

5. Upward Turn: "If I get really desperate, I could always moon-light as a dog walker, especially since I wouldn't have to pick up poop. It's all good."

6. Reconstruction and Working Through it: "I definitely like hot dogs enough to eat them every day."

7. Acceptance and Hope: "I may come home broke, but what a great story to tell my kids."

Being poor is a fact for many expats living and working around the world. That is, unless you move to South Korea where the money flows like water. People have found creative ways to earn money freelancing or teaching. The most ingenious story I've heard about making ends-meat has been writing "match.com-like" emails for men in Russia to send to English speaking women. To me it sounds like a botched mail-order-bride gig, but if it pays the bills, more power to them. While we may not have much money, we always have one hell of a good time.

Yes, you all can finally say you know a true "Po-Folk." And don't worry, the next round is on me and my food stamps...