It's only the middle of the month and your account is already empty? How can that even happen? What do you do when there's no money left for food?

People often end up at exactly this point, with no money left for food. When that happens, you'll have to ask for help, because you simply can't live without groceries.

What can I do if I have no money left for food?

If your account is so empty that you can't even afford essentials like food, there are a few places that can help (the examples here are from Germany; most countries have similar services):

No money left for food
  • In larger cities in Germany there is a so-called "Tafel" (a food bank) that provides meals and groceries.
  • You can ask for help from charities such as Caritas or the Red Cross.
  • In emergencies the social welfare office grants an advance; you just have to file an application in person.
  • To get a bit of money quickly, you can ask the employment office to place you in day-labor jobs.
  • You can take valuables to a pawnshop and turn your cell phone, jewelry or other electronics into cash for a while.
  • You can apply for food vouchers at the Agentur für Arbeit (the German employment agency).
  • If you're genuinely in debt and broke, turn to a debt counselor. They'll help you get through this situation as well as possible.

How did I end up with no money left for food?

Once again the money didn't last, so the first conclusion is that you need to earn more. But is that really true? To break out of the vicious cycle and stop being broke every month, you need to know what happens to your income. Write down exactly what you spend your money on so you can spot unnecessary payments and prevent them in the future. It won't help you either if you borrow money without cutting back and closely analyzing your spending. The more you have available, the more you will spend.

No money left for food

How do I avoid ending up in the "no money left for food" situation again?

First, as mentioned above, you need to see where your money goes. Do you eat out with friends every week? Do you spend a lot on new clothes? Do you have fixed costs like magazine subscriptions you don't even need? Uncover all of this and you'll see how much money you waste unnecessarily. You should also be aware that you're expected to consume as much as possible and buy all sorts of things. Take responsibility for your money yourself and look in the mirror, so you never have to say "I have no money left for food" again.