I never would have imagined it could happen to me. The story crept up on me slowly, and then the account was empty. Not just empty, but deep in the red. I am simply broke and desperate.

Business was booming and I was the star tarot reader on a TV channel. Customers called in. It all ran by itself, unbelievably well. I didn't just earn four figures a month, but five.

The tax office held out its hand, or rather "its hands", and held them out firmly. Single filing status, and that says it all. In the middle of every month I laid out my cards for the taxman, so to speak. I still have my sense of humor.

But how did it come to this? The industry collapsed. People became more skeptical and the press talked about charlatans. The market boomed and every housewife thought she could now predict the future. But that is by no means the case.

Self-employed means you're always on the clock

I had made it too easy for myself and thought, "broke and desperate, not me." But one thing is certain: everything in life changes. And so my revenue collapsed. There is only one pie, and it can only be divided so many ways. But it wasn't just a handful of new advisors joining each month. It was thousands, and the pie stayed the same size.

My income melted away. I didn't want to admit it, and only when it was too late did I truly see it. There should have been four pillars in my life instead of one. Because what is going well today may not still be going well in four months. Life can change quickly.

For example, through:

  • Illness
  • Accident
  • Needing to care for a family member
  • and much more

Being broke and desperate can hit anyone, and nobody can be sure they're safe. To me it feels like our world has become faster and faster, and what looks normal and fine today is simply gone tomorrow.

I cried a lot and then came to the conclusion: "broke and desperate" has happened, but now I'm getting up. Straighten my crown and keep going.

I cried a lot and then came to the conclusion: "broke and desperate" has happened, but now I'm getting up. Straighten my crown and keep going.

Broke and desperate


And tomorrow morning the sun will shine again

I have learned that I need many pillars. Because when one stops doing well, the next one or the one after that kicks in. I have also learned that there is no security in life, and in the future I will definitely save. An emergency fund is a must from now on, because I had none at all and it would have helped me. Being broke and desperate would not have happened like this.