Birth Control

A post about birth control - on a finance-related blog? Oh my, this can't be pretty.

The name of my blog is Broke Mom in Florida. As such I'm pretty sure you can tell that I have not always been 100% responsible with birth control. As of late I have been using the implant, which is 99.5 percent effective and lasts three years at a time.

My suggestion for you, broke mommies, daddies or single people: use birth control.

Wait, you say, I'm a dude. Well dude, believe you me, condoms are a lot cheaper than paying for diapers, wipes, food, etc every month.

Wait, you say, I want to start a family. No one is saying that's not a possibility for you dude or dudette. But if you are reading my blog it is probably because you are broke. That probably means this isn't the right time for you. Use birth control now, you can always stop when you're in a slightly better situation and ready to have some kiddos. And not having those kiddos will put you in that situation faster.

Wait, you say, I'm a chick who wants some serious birth control but I can't afford that crap. Well ma'am, there are ways. Look into Planned Parenthood (no they don't just do abortions), or in some cases your local health department. If you do have some sort of health insurance they may pay for part or all of your birth control. This broke mama gets free birth control at the local health department because she is broke, they know she's broke, and they don't want her having more kids until she is significantly less broke.

Wait, you say, I am unable to take birth control due to medical conditions. Condoms are more effective than nothing love. That includes the pull out method.

Wait, you say, I have no plans to get down and dirty in the immediate future. Why would I need birth control? What you plan is not always what happens. If you're not ready to commit to 'real' birth control, keep a condom or two on you for safety's sake.

Wait, you say, why should I listen to you? Well you sure don't have to but if you're this far down the post saying that I gotta wonder why you're still reading.

I am broke. I have kids. I gotta be honest, it's rough sometimes (as mentioned in my first post). I wouldn't trade these kids for the world, but if I could switch up some timing I would in a heartbeat.

If you're already pregnant, this is not a judgement on you. Like I said, I've obviously been there. If you're pregnant or have kids and seriously broke there are resources out there to help you out. The world might judge you sometimes, but they still won't want your kids to starve. We'll talk about that another time though.

In the end, this is just my opinion. I feel that it is based in solid financial advice. I hope I haven't pissed anyone off but I know this can be a seriously controversial topic, so chances are I have. Don't worry this whole blog isn't going to be about this crap and I am not even going into certain topics that are even more controversial.

So fellow humans, be you mom, dad, or non-parent - my advice for today is to put off having (more) kids until you don't have a reason to be looking at this blog anymore. (And no, you don't need to be rich, just less broke than me.)

Being Broke

Being broke is not fun.

Being a broke mom is especially not fun, because it is a constant exercise in how often you can say 'no'. No we can't afford that. No we're not going to McDonald's. No we don't have gas to go to the beach.

Being a broke mom in Florida adds a whole new dimension. Good luck walking with the kids just about anywhere without someone suffering heatstroke. The bus system - again, good luck. If you want to spend the day at the beach you'd seriously better plan ahead, because being a broke mom you can't afford to run across the street for a towel, water or sunblock that was forgotten at home and you don't have gas to make the drive twice.

So being broke. It sucks. It sucks for moms. It sucks for kids. It sucks for dads. It sucks for single people. It sucks in Florida. It sucks everywhere. The only universal truth about being broke is that it SUCKS.

Repetitive enough for ya? Well don't worry, there's a point to this.

I'm going to tell you, as best as I know how, the way to make your life of being broke suck just a little bit less. Tips? If I have any, you've got them. Poor man recipes? Yup. Personal anecdotes? ...We'll see. Financial advice? If I ever dig myself out of this hole, I'll send down a rope.

So this is my broke self welcoming your broke self to my broke website. Let's dig ourselves out a little at a time together.