Most people have probably experienced a financial pinch at some point in their lives.
It often starts in childhood and adolescence, when your allowance doesn't cover special wishes.
But this is clearly distinct from true poverty. Very many people don't even have enough money to buy enough food. They get support from the Tafel (Germany's food banks) and other charities. Clothing donations help here too. Thanks to social assistance and the Jobcenter (Germany's employment agency), however, nobody in Germany has to live on the street anymore. Rent for apartments is covered in emergencies. But often only for the bare necessities. So very many people are forced to live together with roommates they don't like. But still better than under a bridge, right?

Being broke is anything but nice. Especially when you aren't able to get regular food and drink. When basic income support barely covers toast and pasta, that's of course anything but a desirable state. Vouchers for the Tafel are a help here. The Tafel collects everything that supermarkets would otherwise have thrown out because of short shelf life, or that people donate. Bread, pasta, cake, canned goods and many other kinds of food can be bought by people in need at much lower prices with special vouchers.

Being Broke - The Right Clothes

It goes without saying that people who are broke can't dress at Gucci and La Costé. Besides various clothing donation projects supported in Germany, those affected can shop at very cheap discounters such as KIK or NKD, or look around for marked-down options. There are also some people who, through online listings, sell their old but still very good clothes for a minimum or even give them away.

Being broke

Being Broke - Possible Ways Out

Anyone whose poverty is due to unemployment should try to find work again as quickly as possible. A caseworker at the Jobcenter helps with this, checking your references and skills and in this way picking out suitable occupations. If the first option doesn't work out, nobody should let themselves be discouraged. There are a great many employers looking for employees or trainees. There may also be a chance of retraining or further education. Anyone who can't work for health reasons should perhaps try part-time work, or consider another option with the Jobcenter.

Being Broke - What Can I Do?
Are there perhaps old treasures in the basement that haven't been needed for ages? Furniture, bicycles, old games or other things? These items could be offered for sale online. You might find a few interested buyers. That may not bring immense wealth, but it is at least a drop in the bucket.
Other options are delivering newspapers, babysitting, helping with the garden and housework, or shoveling snow in winter. That also brings a few dollars into the till.

Being broke is always a drag. But there is plenty of help and plenty of options!