A common problem described in popular music of the 1930s was not having money and standing in bread lines. needing ten more cents to buy something. losing a job and trying to find a new one. having to regularly borrow money from friends.

The correct answer is not having money and standing in bread lines. It was the thirties after all when the great depression was at its peak and high unemployment meant that millions lived in complete poverty. Things like standing in breadlines were common, daily activities, but it solved itself eventually with things like the New Deal.