Wellness Journalism: Broke, Not Broken.

“A person is rich or poor according to what s/he is, not according to what s/he has.”
-Henry Beecher

Whoever coined the term “starving student” likely noticed that rising tuition costs coupled with intensive study hours and low-paying, hard-to-find jobs often result in top ramen diets—but it’s a phrase that strips us of power. Even in a bad economy, you can build a wealthy frame of mind.

Your frame of mind is worth much more than your bank account. From here, you paint the picture you see on a daily basis. You create your life.

Sure, during Financial Wellness month we emphasize saving money, setting goals, and planning ahead. But even with no money, you can still be financially healthy!

Know how to utilize resources. Plug in. You’ll find free food at various meetings, and you will get really nice pens, buttons, lanyards, frisbees, and t-shirts and all the tabling events. As a student in the university, you have access to state of the art recreation facilities, health services, and counseling services. In addition to the wealth of learning that takes place, there is a wide variety of free entertainment, student involvement, and service opportunities that will keep you nourished and engaged every night of the week. This is a world of abundance. Open up!

The next time you feel like you are living with less, take a look at what you’ve got. Chances are a quick glance around your bedroom will reveal a wealth that millions around the world can only dream of. To make the point even stronger, take out a piece of paper (reach for the nearest office recycling bin—free paper galore!) and one of those nice free pens, and make a list of everything you have, from material possessions to friends and aspirations. This simple exercise will add immediate value to your mind frame.

The wealthy frame of mind will also, in effect, pay for itself. It will generate ideas and inspiration for side projects, hobbies, skills and services that could combine and become cold, hard cash in your hand.

Most importantly, without money, you dig a little deeper in your pockets to find satisfaction. These foraging skills will keep you happy long into your golden years! Money comes and goes… Learn how to think rich now, and you’ll never be poor.