Is broke the new black?

It seems that lately spending money on anything or giving the semblance of being able to pay your bills is totally out of vogue. Every newspaper and magazine has articles on counting your pennies and how to discuss the b-word with your spouse, friends and family...and don't get me started on those articles about Freegans! I feel like I have died and went to the 18th century where "a pennie save is a penny earned" is all the rage. I like everyone in America know at least one person who has been affected by the latest downturn; however, I am not prepared to go around complaining about being broke cause its fashionable. All the constant chatter of brokeness makes me nostalgic for the days when everyone bragged about how rich they were on paper.

Furtunately my life hasn't changes much; that is, I pay all my bills at the beginning of the month, try to make a dent in my debt and spend what's left. In my case, by the middle of the month all what is left is gone...no different than in 2007. I am also one of the last people to buy a house before the bubble burst; i know, nobody owns up to that but I will. If we loose our jobs, my parents have assured me that we can have the basement and that is better than money in the bank. So no point booring anyone with my brokeness, in fact I prefer to talk about my highly anticipated 3 weeks of summer vacation which given the destinations (Spain, Turks & Caicos, bermuda, oh my!) will require its own post. Sure it isn't paid for yet, in fact I am financing a portion of it but hey somebody has to step up and pick up the slack for our sagging economy!