Broke-Ass of the Week: Paul Byrne

Every week we feature a different person from the community shedding a little light on their life of brokeitude. Who knows, maybe you’ll learn something about the human spirit – probably not.

Wanna be a Broke-Ass of the Week?  Holler at us here and we’ll send you the questionnaire.

Ever heard of a ‘hood called Ivanhoe in Kansas City, MO?  Yeah, me either, but that’s where Paul Byrne, Broke-Ass of the Week, calls home, so maybe it’s secretly the most awesome town in the country.  Anyway, when Paul’s not perfecting the art of being a barista/unemployed copywriter, he’s listening to one of the best bands around right now, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr., and eating lettuce, noodles or your leftovers.  Not the worst way to pass the time!

Name: Paul R. Byrne

Age: 22

Occupation: Barista/Unemployed Copywriter

What neighborhood do you live in?: Ivanhoe, Kansas City MO

What are you listening to these days?: Saharan Gazelle Boy, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr., Guster, Arcade Fire, A.A. Bondy

Best money saving tip: I’m horrible at saving money. I suggest eating other people’s leftovers. That works pretty well.

What do you refuse to spend money on?: New shoes. If you let yours get ratty and full of holes enough, people feel bad and will buy you new ones. Haven’t bought a pair in years.

Most expensive thing you’ve ever bought: My car, which cost a whopping $2,000…and I paid in installments.

How’d that feel?: Shitty. That thing sucks.

Favorite cheap eat: Salad and Spaghetti. Lettuce and noodles are fucking cheap, and as long as you’re not a twat it takes no money or brainpower to make a good meal out of both.

Favorite dive bar: Rock Bar, Denver CO.

Best deal you’ve ever gotten: Working Casio DG-1 Midi Guitar, for $2.

Favorite free thing(s) to do: Write, eat other people’s food, argue.

If you woke up a millionaire, what’s the first thing you’d buy?: Myself out of debt. Then, I’d go off the grid and see how long I could travel without running into anyone I know.

Despite not having money, do you still love your life?: I think being broke makes you look for more real things to enjoy. So, sure. I feel bad for people who equate wealth with a good life.

Do you own my book?: You wrote a book?

Best hangover cure: Coffee and McDonalds Sausage Egg Burritos.

Are you a hipster?: I shower regularly.