I grew up in a hard working, lower middle-class family. Both my parents were college educated, but we never had a LOT of money. Our family of 6 had one car, one television, and one bathroom. And yet, I had everything I NEEDED growing up.

My parents even had the money to send me to a local college and all I had to pay for was my own living expenses. Not a lot of kids these days can say that about their families (even the ones that have six figure salaries, which my family never did).

After I got out of college and started my first job, I was amazed at how quickly my HUGE jump in salary was quickly absorbed into everyday expenses. My salary continued to rise over the years, but so did my own family and thus my expenses.

At my peak (6 years ago), I was making a little over six figures. Man, I thought I was rolling in it. Seems funny now.

Well, a lot has changed between now and then (in particular the Recession and of course, my life). My worst year, income wise, was 2009. My adjusted gross income that year was negative – yeah, that’s right, negative! I did a little better in 2010. That year, my adjusted gross income was positive, but still under $2000. Yep, I actually made less than $2000 – the whole frickin year.

The amazing part is that during that whole time (while I was clearly broke), I was NEVER Poor and my children and I NEVER suffered!

Sure, we were inconvenienced. But suffering? As far as I am concerned, only the really unfortunate people in the world who have NO access to food, shelter, and basic safety have a right to say they are suffering. The rest of us are just inconvenienced.

You see, being “broke” is a temporary condition (which it always was for me).

BUT, being “poor” is a state of mind that keeps you locked into being poor. It keeps you believing that you are defined by your circumstances. As long as you believe that your situation will never change, it never will.

So, for anyone out there that is suffering financially, I want you to look yourself in the mirror and say to yourself, “I may be broke right now, but I sure the hell ain’t poor and I NEVER will be”

Good luck everyone. You can do it!!!!