I like to complain that I am broke because the republicans are in power or because the price of oil is too high and any other reason I can think of. However, get me after I have had a hangover and I will tell you the real reason why I am broke. Hangovers are good for the soul as you are all alone to think of all the stupid things you have done including having the last drink.

When I looked at some of my expenses over a period, I realized that I was behind my bills simply because I had made the wrong choices and not because my personal budget was too hard for me to keep. My house was the most modern house money could buy but I was dead broke. I looked around and oh boy I found out why. These are the items I had . I owned none of them and even after paying for them for 12 months, I still did not own them. These guys could still come for them and I could nothing about it.

1. My Big Screen TV

I am happy to note that I am not the only fool out there who has one of those big 42 inch flat screen TV’s that I never watch. For whatever reason, I decided that my male ego could not survive unless I had one kick ass TV that was too big for my wall, never watched and just too big for my wallet. After having that TV for one year and paying $40 per week it came out to be $2080 . I still have another 72 weekly payments on it.I have watched it only for the super bowl and a few other programes and still do not own it.

A trip to craigslist would have saved me the $2000 and gotten myself a nice second hand TV. The most annoying thing is that none of my friends would have asked me why I had a second hand TV in my house. The $2000 saved would have bought me a nice second hand motor bike to fight this gas.

2. My Kick Ass Furniture

My furniture is even worse since I have a cat in the house that just destroys it. I bought it still at Aarons Stores in Lawrence. It just looked amazing and I could afford the $130 per month they were asking for. Turns out it wasn’t such a great deal and another trip to craigslist would have gotten me better quality furniture at less than half the price. The annoying thing about this rented furniture is that it doesn’t even come new. Some other fool who could not make payments was forced to return the furniture that I was now paying for as new.

Please avoid buying furniture that you can’t afford, especially on rent. It is worse than the big screen tv especially if you own a cat.

3. My Car

Oh yes my car. It was the hottest car in the neighborhood. Since I didn’t have any credit, I walked into those "we give credit to anyone" dealerships. Worst mistake I ever made. Somehow they manage never to get you a good car but a reject that looks just fantastic.

I know it doesn’t seem possible now but I was paying 24% on a 4th hand car that was bringing my payments to $450 per month. Now add the monthly maintenance and you know I was in trouble. One more thing. Every time I missed a payment, they added another $50 .They never reported I was paying on time but when I failed to pay once, it was reported to the credit bureaus .

I would suggest going back to your parents and getting them to give you that junk in their house before you should rent your car. Or save a little more and wait until you have better credit before you jump into car shylocks.