I read an article about the Bougie Broke TikTok trend. I do not have Tiktok but based on the article it seems that people are flaunting luxurious lifestyles and showing how much it costs. Simultaneously, the article mentioned that these people could not really afford to maintain the expensive lifestyle as they are barely making enough, thus the word broke.
The Bougie Broke meaning comes from combining two words – bourgeois and broke. Bourgeois is someone who is pretentious or aspiring to be upper-class. Broke, well, is someone who has no money or is in debt.
The term Bougie Broke seems a new term in the urban dictionary however, the meaning has been around for quite some time now, and, without us realizing it, we may be considered as one.
To further explain, here are some examples of situations where we may relate to:
Buying designer items
Right? Guilty? Yeah. We all consider the brands we buy. Fake, Class A rip-off, or even the original one, are the ones we are all looking for to buy. The LVs, MKs, Coach, Zara, and such, are names we purchase for the sake of having them even if we do not need them. What is worse is that even if we do not have money to buy one, we magically come up with the means to buy it now knowing that we have other obligations that we must fulfill. We only live once, right?
Expensive vacation
The Instagram post is what matters. The nice place and scenery. The cool white bedsheets. The great ambiance of the restaurant. That is all that we are after. And we all say it is the experience of traveling that is what we enjoy and treasure. Sure. I like that for myself and my family too. But, if you do not have the money to pay your bills, and meet your obligations, what is the point of having that short getaway just to come back home sulking because of the dues you have to pay?
Owning a car
Yup! Here in the Philippines, there was once a time when down payments were so low that almost everyone earning at least 50k a month could get their own car. And yes. A lot of people bought those small hatchbacks like the Hyundai Eon, Toyota Wigo, and Mitsubishi Mirage. I did buy one.
And most did not use it. Because the gas prices are high. The cost of maintenance is high. Not to mention the insurance must be paid too. So almost everyone got a car, but barely making ends meet.
Shopping just because
Emotional therapy? Yeah. Maybe. Add to cart? Yup. There it goes. Buying just for the sake of buying. There is no end to it. There is always a must-have. There is always something we see that we think we need. And sometimes, we just find it cute so buy it. Even if there is not enough food on the table. Even if there are debts to be paid. Even if there are kids that need to finish school.
Frugality
What does it mean to be frugal? Google Dictionary defines it as “sparing or economical with regard to money or food”. That just simply means to have what you need at a minimal cost.
Let us compare Bougie Broke vs Frugal.
- Bougie broke spends to the maximum. Frugal spends at the minimum.
- Bougie broke is concerned with the outer image. Frugal is more focused on inner peace.
- Bougie broke are short-term gratification. Frugal is long-term sustainability.
- Bougie broke is focus on oneself’s satisfaction. Frugal is more for self and those people around him or her.
These are just some that I could think of which seems that the two are at the end of the spectrum. While this may seem a bad thing, this trend could have taught us a thing or two.
Bougie Wealthy
Contradicting right? Bougie coming from pretentiously upper-class and wealthy having more for the generations to come. But for the purpose of this blog, let me just combine the two terms.
Being a Bougie just makes us realize we want better things in life. Who doesn’t? We all want to be comfortable. We all want to try and experience luxury. We all want maybe the best.
And knowing that, we should stop pretending and work our way toward it. Do not be a Bougie and broke. Instead, become Bougie and wealthy.
Understanding money is the first step. Have a financial education. No need to go to expensive seminars. Articles are free online. Books are almost free or very affordable. It only requires us to invest time to read, learn, and take action.
Changing our environment is key. The things we see on social media impact our decision-making. So, have the courage to stop looking at those and instead, fill your social media feed with things that could help you better understand financials. Manage your money better.
And once you have the discipline, the knowledge, and the drive to do it, you will soon be surprised that you can buy expensive items, go on a luxurious vacation, and shop till you drop, without worrying about any obligations to pay.
Do not pretend. Be real. Become better.
Summary
- Bougie Wealthy: The term combines “bougie” (pretentiously upper-class) and “wealthy.” While seemingly contradictory, it highlights the desire for a comfortable lifestyle and luxury.
- Desire for Better Things: We all aspire to experience the best in life, whether it’s comfort, luxury, or quality.
- Authenticity: Rather than pretending, we should actively work toward financial well-being. Being “Bougie and broke” isn’t the goal; instead, aim for “Bougie and wealthy.”
- Financial Education: Start by understanding money. Access free online articles and affordable books to gain financial knowledge.
- Environment Matters: Be mindful of what you consume on social media. Surround yourself with content that enhances your financial understanding.
- Discipline and Knowledge: Cultivate discipline, acquire knowledge, and take action. With these, you’ll find yourself able to afford luxuries without financial stress.
Remember, authenticity and continuous learning pave the way to financial success.
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