QUIZ: How Broke Are You?

Happy Friday, money hoarders! Y’all getting ready for the big Easter weekend? Gonna down lots of food and drink and be merry?

I hope so. But before you go to it, make sure to take this quiz my friend Anna found, and then tell all your family members at Easter dinner to do the same. You’ll be the hit of the party ;)

Though, I should point out that a majority of these items they categorize under “being broke” is more like “being a financial bad-ass.” So in a way you DO want to check yes for some of them, but at the same time not check any of them off.

Confused? You should be. But still – take the quiz anyways cuz it’s fun, and it’s not like you have anything else to do right now anyways ;)

Then see if you can beat the “5 out of 50” score I got! Which according to BuzzFeed means:

You’re the opposite of broke. What are you even doing taking this quiz? Shouldn’t you be rolling around in your bathtubs or driving around in your expensive car or shopping for palaces or something?

So if you need me, I’ll be found rolling around my bathtubs and shopping for palaces or something. Won’t you join me?

cash money gif

——–
FYI:  Here were the five I checked “yes” to doing:

  • I cut my own hair
  • I go straight to the sale section of any store I walk into
  • All my clothes look more expensive than they actually are
  • I have used gift cards to buy other gift cards
  • I have recycled gifts

Top photo by Alina Sofia / Awesome gif by okaybeats.tumblr.com

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59 Comments

  1. Debt Busting Chick April 18, 2014 at 6:01 AM

    I took the quiz and got 9 out of 50. Apparently I’m the opposite of broke too. There are some hilarious things on that list that I don’t do but I know some people that do. Fun quiz though!

  2. Amanda April 18, 2014 at 6:22 AM

    You checked off 34 out of 50 on this list!

    You’re pretttttyyyy damn broke. Like, your bank balance isn’t quite in the negatives yet but it’s one night out away. Bills are your worst enemy, and clearance sales are your best friend. This isn’t a bad thing — it just means you’re thrifty and nifty and you know your limits. Enjoy that ramen dinner.

    Yikes! The gif was a disappointed looking Zooey Deschanel whom I happen to have like the same haircut as. haha My bank balance isn’t actually near negative, but I’m definitely a low-income earning cheapskate. Happy Payday! (For me at least)

    1. J. Money April 18, 2014 at 8:42 PM

      OH wow, haha… I have a feeling you’re gonna win this test out of everyone! Where should I send you your reward? Of cash?? :)

      1. Amanda April 19, 2014 at 9:56 AM

        I was definitely expecting more people to post on the high end of the broke spectrum. Good thing I was one of the early posters or I might have been too discouraged to share. jk

  3. Kate @GoodnightDebt April 18, 2014 at 6:44 AM

    “You’re not broke at all. You’re fiscally responsible and can probably afford several healthy meals a day. You probably file your taxes on time and have don’t even know what a negative bank balance looks like. Good job, adult.”
    13/50- Pretty funny! I think some of these things just naturally happen in college. And for what it’s worth, I’m a button mending pro!

    1. J. Money April 18, 2014 at 8:44 PM

      Yeah, that one is a TOTAL plus. You save mad money over time – and more importantly stress! I need you to come to my house for a solid 4 hours one day… :)

  4. a terrible husband... April 18, 2014 at 7:37 AM

    6 of 50 – opposite of broke, too. Might have been higher, but I no longer “cut my own hair” plus a few other one-offs.

    But I totally agree that a lot of them (basically the ones that aren’t “overdraft” or “ignore your friends” related) are somewhat wise…

  5. Catina Mount April 18, 2014 at 7:43 AM

    11 out of 50! Totally spanked that quiz…woot-woot! Happy Friday & Easter J! :-)

  6. Dave @ The New York Budget April 18, 2014 at 8:05 AM

    12 out of 50 and given the questions, I kind of wish I got higher! There were some definite “broke” questions in there, but I actually think a lot of them were badass questions!

  7. Brian @ Debt Discipline April 18, 2014 at 8:21 AM

    7 of 50! My personal favorite: I’ve eaten a meal that was just free samples from a grocery store.

    1. J. Money April 18, 2014 at 8:46 PM

      I know, haha… I’ve def. eaten my fair share of samples before, but can’t say it’s actually filled me up enough to be considered a MEAL! You guys are smoother than me apparently :)

  8. Mortgage Free Mike April 18, 2014 at 8:58 AM

    Love these quizzes! 6 out of 50 — Opposite of broke.

    I checked:

    I have taken out less than $20 from an ATM – Usually I get $10 to put in the coin machine to do laundry.
    I flirt with people just for free drinks – I’m sure I’ve done this at least once.
    All my clothes look more expensive than they actually are – At least I hope so.
    I have used gift cards to buy other gift cards – Guilty. I’ve used AMEX gift cards to buy others at a discount.
    I have mixed water into my body wash to make it last longer – For shampoo, too.
    I use toothpaste until the tube is 100% flat – Why waste good toothpaste!?!

    1. J. Money April 18, 2014 at 8:47 PM

      More importantly, how do you pull off the flirty = free drinks? As a guy?? I need to learn from you! :)

  9. Kevin April 18, 2014 at 9:10 AM

    7 out of 50. Opposite of broke. I really liked the ” ✓ I’ve eaten a meal that was just free samples from a grocery store” option. I frequently go to Costco just for the samples.

  10. John @ Sprout Wealth April 18, 2014 at 9:42 AM

    Looks like I’ll be shopping for palaces as well as I got a 5 too! Mine were pretty similar to yours, though I’ve never bought a gift card with another gift card – but I did sell plasma back in the day. ;)

  11. Kathy April 18, 2014 at 9:55 AM

    I checked off 2. Opposite of broke. My two were using toothpaste until the tube is flat–that’s just frugal isn’t it? And I’ve considered donating blood for money, although I have never actually done it. That just seemed easier than working more.

    1. J. Money April 18, 2014 at 8:48 PM

      Yeah, the toothpaste one is a pretty damn good thing to do no matter broke or rich. They got lazy and couldn’t come up with a better one it seems ;)

  12. Becky @ RunFunDone April 18, 2014 at 10:18 AM

    I’m confused…why would I buy gift cards with other gift cards? What’s the advantage of that???

    1. J. Money April 18, 2014 at 8:50 PM

      So you don’t have to shell out cash to give someone a gift card :) Of course you have to be okay with giving up the “money” from your own gift card you already own, but seems like most people are – myself included.

  13. zut April 18, 2014 at 10:29 AM

    Is “vodka sauce” a condiment? If so, I’ve eaten many a condiment meal. Oh peach salsa too.

    1. Taylor April 18, 2014 at 3:14 PM

      HAHAHA! If it is check for me!

  14. Kurt @ Money Counselor April 18, 2014 at 11:02 AM

    Only a 2 for me. I’m embarrassed to admit which ones though. :)

    1. J. Money April 18, 2014 at 8:50 PM

      Boooooo – you can’t leave us hangin’ like that! :)

  15. Joe April 18, 2014 at 12:07 PM

    Heh heh, I got 4. I cut my own hair and go straight to the sale section too. I feel bad for people who get more than half of this…

  16. Jon@2-copper-coins.com April 18, 2014 at 12:24 PM

    Apparently we are pretty similar. I got 8 out of 50 but the comment was the same, and the picture of Aziz Ansari was the same as well. Here’s to not being Broke! This would have been very different for me just a year ago, I would have been totally broke. What a difference a year makes.

    1. J. Money April 18, 2014 at 8:51 PM

      I love hearing that, man. Keep going strong :)

  17. Christine @ ThePursuitofGreen April 18, 2014 at 12:57 PM

    9 out of 50! Though really all these things I checked off are money saving habits! I do them to save money so I won’t be broke.

    I go straight to the sale section of any store I walk into. -if I do this and find something awesome I won’t even bother looking at the regular priced items
    I’ve eaten a meal that was just free samples from a grocery store.-COSTCO!
    I have considered donating sperm or an egg for money.-just wondered about
    I have recycled gifts.-white elephant anyone?
    I have recycled the gifts’ wrapping paper.-I try to recycle everything
    I have mixed water into my body wash to make it last longer.-at the end usually to get all of my money’s worth
    I regularly wear free T-shirts even if I think they’re hideous.-for working out and sleeping!
    And I’m an expert at sewing buttons on and seams of old coats/jackets.-yea its easy to fix
    I use different email addresses to sign up for the same free trials multiple times.-to my credit i have two email addresses only but i have signed up twice sometimes…

    1. J. Money April 18, 2014 at 8:54 PM

      “I have recycled the gifts’ wrapping paper” – Ack, I don’t remember seeing this one, I do that one too :)

      But I like how you phrased it there – Doing a lot of these DOES help you not go broke! Good call, my friend. Happy Easter!

  18. Tonya@Budget and the Beach April 18, 2014 at 1:07 PM

    I buy wine under $5 and have prioritized plans with friends since I can’t do everything I want to do socially. Sometimes I drink that cheap wine with my friends. :)

  19. Quinn @ Wealth Out West April 18, 2014 at 1:17 PM

    6 / 50 for me. I have definitely recycled gifts and recycled the wrapping paper (especially gift bags!). Who *doesn’t* use toothpaste until the tube is 100% flat!! Why wouldn’t you??

  20. Shannon @ Financially Blonde April 18, 2014 at 1:40 PM

    So funny!! I have definitely flirted for drinks and in college I donated plasma to make money, but thankfully only selected about six of those.

  21. Taylor April 18, 2014 at 3:35 PM

    LOL half the fun in this post is reading the comments. I got 18 and proud of it!… I’m financially responsible! My proudest check offs?

    All my clothes look more expensive than they actually are. – And I still look fly!
    I only drink at happy hours. – I thought everyone did this?
    I cut my own hair. – Curly hair cuts are easy peesy
    I have recycled the gifts’ wrapping paper. – Reduce, reuse, recycle!
    I have paid for things with only change. – Isn’t change money?

    Happy Friday!

    1. J. Money April 18, 2014 at 8:55 PM

      Rock on, my fly sista! :)

  22. Nicole @ Extrapolate This April 18, 2014 at 3:54 PM

    I checked off 1: I eat Top Ramen because I like the way it tastes and sometimes I’m too busy/tired to prepare a real meal.

    1. J. Money April 18, 2014 at 8:55 PM

      One? You have the record on this site so far, my new friend. Congrats :)

  23. Kalen @ MoneyMiniBlog April 18, 2014 at 7:42 PM

    I got 4!

    1. I go straight to the sale section. Who doesn’t like a deal?
    2. I’ve had Top Ramen as a meal…what? I like it.
    3. I cut my own hair. (Actually, my wife does it for me)
    4. I use toothpaste until the tube is 100% flat. Why waste?

    That was a fun quiz, J.

    1. J. Money April 18, 2014 at 8:56 PM

      Glad you enjoyed :)

  24. Yana April 18, 2014 at 7:59 PM

    I got 7 out of 50 – yeah, we’re kin :D Amusing quiz.

  25. Still at work April 18, 2014 at 10:09 PM

    Who doesn’t have a mental countdown to payday? Even if I plan to save it all (and sometimes I do that), I still salivate over the possibilities. Taxable investment account, or 529?

    1. Still at work April 18, 2014 at 10:14 PM

      I’ve had ramen as a meal (it’s so darn good)
      I use up the full tube of toothpaste
      I put water in bath soap and shampoo to make it last longer (to get the bit at the end of the bottle, amirite?)
      I go straight to the sales rack in stores, but I wouldn’t say my clothes look more expensive than they are, by a long shot!
      Oh, and I didn’t know whether to check off having sold my blood, or not. Wednesday I happened to be asked to participate in a research study on a disease I have. I would have done it anyway, but I certainly perked up when I heard they’d pay me $25 to have my blood drawn! That certainly counts, in my book.

      1. J. Money April 19, 2014 at 1:37 PM

        Agreed! And hopefully the study pays off more in health later too! Good luck! :)

  26. Tara @ Streets Ahead Living April 19, 2014 at 12:28 AM

    lol, you don’t buy cheap wine? excise taxes on wine/beer are pretty low in NY state so you can get a great bottle of wine for under $10 and a decent bottle of wine for under $5 at the Trader Joe’s Wine shop. I also try to only go out to drink during happy hour too.

    I got the same answer as you though, I’d consider most of those “broke choices” to belong to people who if single and without kids, aren’t very financially savvy.

    1. J. Money April 19, 2014 at 1:39 PM

      I have no problem buying cheap wine, I just never really do as I’m more of a beer person. And happy hours are awesome but I’d still gladly order a beer in off- hours too! I love the ambiance of bars/restaurants which more than makes up for the jacked up prices on them all. At least when we’re talking about just one or two to relax – not like the college years where I needed 10 a night ;) I’m sure I’d have scored a 39 out of 50 back then, haha…

  27. Laurie @thefrugalfarmer April 19, 2014 at 8:56 AM

    LOL, they said I’m not broke at all, just fiscally responsible. However, they haven’t seen my credit card bills. :-)

  28. Scott April 19, 2014 at 7:33 PM

    Funny quiz! I got the same 5/50 and had a couple of the same as you ;)

  29. Karen @ Money Saving Enthusiast April 19, 2014 at 8:28 PM

    That is one funny quiz. Thanks for sharing it. It seems that frugal can be taken to new heights I suppose. I cracked up at the one that reads, “I’ve had a meal that’s all condiments.” I’m over here writing about low-cost weekend ideas. Maybe I should get some tips from that quiz. ; )

    1. J. Money April 21, 2014 at 8:07 PM

      I still don’t know how condiments could be filling! Sounds like a nightmare meal to me ;)

  30. No Nonsense Landlord April 20, 2014 at 10:14 AM

    I got 3 out of 50, but there were some common sense savings questions in there too. No one would ever accuse me of wearing clothes that look like they cost more than they do… Mostly I wear jeans or work pants, often with some paint on the work pants.

    1. J. Money April 21, 2014 at 8:08 PM

      So, you’re more like a hipster then? :)

  31. Lezlie W. April 21, 2014 at 3:52 PM

    Pretty good, it says I’m not broke at all. I’m actually a fiscally responsible adult!

  32. Kimberly K. April 21, 2014 at 7:01 PM

    25/50 – It say’s I’m not broke, but am instead a fiscally responsible adult….though some of the items I didn’t check simply because they used to apply to me, but don’t anymore merely because I think of ways around them.

    1. J. Money April 21, 2014 at 8:09 PM

      Yeah, I bet a lot of those questions apply to us in earlier stages of our lives which thankfully we’re now well past :) Except for the young whipper snappers reading this blog…

  33. Marie @ My Personal Finance Journey April 22, 2014 at 10:08 AM

    I got 9 out of 50 on the list! I had fun checking the lists, I even asked my mom and my younger sister to take the test too. :)

    1. J. Money April 24, 2014 at 8:26 PM

      Nice! Let us know what they got too if you remember :)

  34. @freepursue April 23, 2014 at 10:16 AM

    I checked off 11 of the 50. I am apparently rolling in dough also. I found it interesting that some of the questions were really about being fiscally responsible and how the quiz made these sound like such a drag.

    Is it twisted to feel real satisfaction in finding good deals in the “sale” section and squeezing the last bit of toothpaste before throwing out the tube? As an aside: sewing buttons has become too much of a hassle for people these days? I mean, really.

    1. J. Money April 24, 2014 at 8:26 PM

      New era my man… people are getting lazier by the day!

  35. bullshyiot January 13, 2018 at 12:34 PM

    Beat you all. 42 out of 50.

    1. J. Money January 15, 2018 at 9:31 AM

      Nice!

      Totally forgot about this post – I should take it again now that it’s been a few years and see what I’d score :)