Things Only Broke People with Expensive Tastes Understand

Candice Darden
12 items
If you've ever planned an elaborate vacation that you couldn't afford, gave up drinking for two months just so you could splurge on a Kate Spade bag/stock up on all organic food, or wondered why God would be so cruel as to give you champagne tastes on a beer budget, chances are you know the crushing reality of what it's like to be broke with expensive taste. It's both a blessing and a curse to prefer quality over quantity, and your budgeting style has been honed to the point where you know exactly how many lunches you need to eat (organic) peanut butter and crackers for in order to afford those Manolo Blahniks without your power getting shut off. You practically live by the quote: "Anyone who lives within their means suffers from a lack of imagination," and it's your wildest fantasy that one fine day you'll be able to afford the lifestyle you want without having to worry about how you're going to make rent. Until then, you'll be resourceful, creative, and the master of stretching a dollar to live out your caviar dreams. C'est la vie!
  • 1

    You've attempted to duplicate your favorite takeout meal from scratch

    You *think* it'll be cheaper, but by the time you've purchased all the ingredients to make a sashimi roll with black truffle shavings, it ends up costing more than if you'd just splurged bought it from a restaurant in the first place.
  • 2

    You've justified putting your health at risk

    You'll likely be eating peanut butter and crackers for two weeks after you buy those Beyonce tickets, but it's worth it. You've become a master of calculating the sacrifices you need to make to get what you want. You're buying a priceless, once-in-a-lifetime experience, you tell yourself. What are you going to remember in five years -- that time you watched Bey sing 'Drunk in Love' with Jay-Z, or the time you ate office snacks in lieu of lunch for two weeks? You know the answer.
  • 3

    Your pet eats only the best organic food

    ...even if that means you occasionally have to skip lunch to afford it. Only the best for Sir Meowington.
  • 4

    You vacation once a month... on Google maps

    Maybe you could afford to go... if you were willing to eat ramen for the rest of your life. In the meantime, you'll get drunk and pretend these Google street views are actually your cab driver picking you up from the airport and taking you to the best five-star resort in town. 
  • 5

    You've given up drinking so you can afford a luxury brand

    Or if you do drink occasionally, you'll compromise by eating a can of black beans for dinner. Your budgeting techniques are nothing short of drastic, but you never lose sight of your goals.
  • 6

    Your fridge contains a mix of pricey Kombucha drinks and cheap, off-brand condiments

    Your heart says Whole Foods, but your bank account says Food 4 Less, so you carefully pick and choose what to compromise on and what to indulge.