Broke But Without Responsibilities

There is a bright side to not having a job. You have less responsibilities. Currently I don't have a job or rent. My only expenses are personal things, gas, insurance, my car loan, and my student loans. I can pick up whenever and go do whatever. Granted, I'm limited by money, but what I've been telling myself, to an extent, has been: "You're 20, have no job, and everyone else is broke too. What difference does it matter if you're almost broke or completely broke?"

I told this to someone at the airport, we never exchanged names, and he said:

“You’re going to be broke for most of your life.”

-Computer Scientist I met at the airport

While that's disappointing to hear, the important thing is that for most of your life, you will have responsibilities, you may already have them. But if you're lucky, or unlucky, enough to not have them, you can just pick up and travel. You don't have to worry about taking time off or finding a pet sitter. So that's pretty great.

I've gotten to travel this summer and while I am still looking for jobs for the fall, I'm able to take time and plan road trips and do fun things that I know won't be as easy to pull off once I've started my career. Friends mention future trips to me for their breaks, and by then I'm planning on having a full-time job. I may not be able to do those sorts of things.

So there is a benefit to not having responsibilities. Think of it as a mini-vacation.

Disclaimer: Before you get mad, I realize that there is also a pretty big benefit to having a job and responsibilities. I'm just looking for the silver lining. You may not want to, or be able to, have the same motto. Heaven knows that I would like a job and I'm not shirking away from responsibilities, I'm just taking some time off (Cut me some slack, I graduated college at 20.) So if you don't have those responsibilities, try to take advantage of a little gap after college where it's acceptable to take time off (if you can.) Most people are aware that you won't be able to do that very soon. And if you don't want to or can't, then I hope your find a job or whatever will be the best for you.