Honestly, if you’re reading this, you might be in that tight space where every rupiah matters. Been there. It feels like you blink and poof—your wallet’s empty again. But hey, budgeting when you’re flat-broke isn’t some mythical skill. It’s more like whispering encouragement to your wallet, “You got this… maybe a little…”
I’m gonna keep this chatty, a little messy—in the best possible way. Let’s dive into how to handle money when it barely exists.
Just Start—Chaos to Clarity
First off: you gotta know what’s coming in and what’s leaking out. Doesn’t have to be fancy. Grab paper, your phone, whatever. Write down every cent you get—salary, gig cash, odd jobs, even that extra change from selling something. If your income jumps around, use your lowest month as the baseline. That way, you’re not expecting miracles every month and let down.
Next—pretend you’re your own bank statement detective. Track everything you spend. Yes, every nasi goreng, pulsa top-up, even that street-side kopi. It all adds up. Nerds and banks always say—know your spending patterns—it’s the first secret step to trimming.
Cover the “Four Walls” First
Before you feel like doing anything fancy, cover the “Four Walls”: food, utilities, shelter, and transportation—basics. No one’s judging. Just focus on surviving first. If you’re lucky, maybe tuck a bit towards a tiny emergency fund later.
Budget Methods That Work (Broke-Friendly)
The Envelope or Cash-Stuffing Trick
You know that method where you put cash in different envelopes: groceries, rent, transport? You literally can’t spend more than the envelope holds. It’s simple, tactile, and kinda satisfying. Some people even go full binder-style with labeled pockets. Super old-school, but “real cash = real limits.”
Zero-Based Budget—Every Dollar Counts
Zero-based budgeting is like … telling every single rupiah where to go before you spend it. At the end of the day, you want your budget to balance to zero—everything’s assigned, you know? Makes you intentional about every cent.
Cut the Little Leaks (Yes, Even Coffee)
You’d be surprised how a coffee every day or impulsive online buys sneak up on you.
- Wait 24 hours before buying something non-essential. Usually, the urge vanishes. Delete saved card info—makes impulse harder.
- Batch-cook meals. Some food choices can cost thousands in a month if you’re not careful. Batching saves money and brain space.
- Check your subscriptions—yes, even that barely-used streaming service—you’re paying for it. Cancel or pause it.
The Mindset Stuff—Budgeting & Broke
Let’s be real—when you’re broke, budgeting feels exhausting, humiliating, and overwhelming. But here’s the thing: little wins matter. Like celebrating your “didn’t spend today” win. Or even “used leftovers instead of ordering.” It helps, seriously.
Also, be kind to yourself on the bad days. If you overspend on boba once—shake it off, adjust, and try again. It’s normal.
Stretching What You’ve Got
Side Hustles & Extra Income
Okay, hear me out—if you can, even a little extra helps. Babysitting, selling unused stuff, freelance gigs—anything that adds to your income pot helps build a cushion.
Negotiate & Shop Smarter
Many times we just accept high bills. Call your provider—see if there’s a cheaper plan, a promo, a discount. It’s awkward, sure—but hey, no one said saving was glamorous.
Government or Social Assistance
If you qualify, there’s no shame in looking into help—food, utilities, healthcare, whatever’s available. Sometimes, stability comes from that lifeline. And if you can’t afford an accountant, call 2-1-1—there are people ready to help.
Stories That Motivate (Even When You’re Down)
- There’s this woman who went broke, accepted free samples at gas stations… but now she earns a decent income, saved up a fat emergency fund, and says patience and budgeting saved her.
- Another saved nearly £10K on a low income by “tricking her brain”—transferring money into savings instantly and separating spending and saving across accounts so temptation was reduced.
- And then this person used the envelope/cash method to get out of crazy debt—giving every pound a job, building a safety fund, and using zero-based budgeting to rebuild.
If they can do it—so can you. Real people, real change, little by little.
Quick Cheatsheet—Broke Budget Hacks
- Know your absolute bottom-line income.
- Track every spent rupiah—yes, even that tahu goreng.
- Cover food, shelter, utilities, transport first.
- Use envelopes, zero-budgeting, or cash-only to control spending.
- Delay impulse buys 24 hours or freeze your card info.
- Batch meals, cancel subs, use free entertainment.
- Hustle on side, negotiate bills, apply for assistance.
- Celebrate the small wins, but cut yourself slack when you mess up.
Final Thoughts — Because You Deserve a Break
Look—I’m not saying this is fun. It’s not. Budgeting when broke sucks. But think of it like a journal you check every day: what went right? What triggered spending? What tiny win did you get? Over time, you build momentum.
You don’t have to fix your life in a day. Start with just today—maybe you made coffee at home instead of buying, maybe you didn’t impulse-click “buy” on something unnecessary. That’s progress. Keep nudging it forward.
You’ve got yourself, you’re trying, and that’s already more than a lot of people do. Keep going.
