“It’s not hard to meet expenses—they’re everywhere” is a joke on the double meaning of the word “meet” (“to see” expenses and “to satisfy” expenses). The “it’s not hard to meet expenses” joke has been cited in print since at least 1917.
4 March 1917, Idaho Statesman, “Little Pal, taking in the sights at Palm Beach” by Leo (comic), second section, pg. 5:
WOMAN: WHY, WE HAVEN’T COME TO TH’ POINT WHERE IT’S HARD TO MEET EXPENSES, HAVE WE?
MAN: HARD T’ MEET ‘EM? I SHOULD SAY NOT. IT’S HARD T’ DODGE ‘EM!!!
Google Books
The School of Education Record
University of North Dakota
April 1917
Pg. 48, col. 2:
Don’t you find it hard to meet expenses?
Hard! Man, alive! I meet them at every turn.
— Topeka Journal.
Google Books
Xi Psi Phi Quarterly
Volume 18
By Xi Psi Phi Fraternity
January 1920
Pg. 196:
Don’t you find it hard to meet expenses?
Not in the least. I meet expenses every time I turn around.
Google Books
The Medical World
Volume 40
1922
Pg. 192:
The Ashland Bugle says it used to be a familiar expression about its being hard to meet expenses, but that now expenses are about all you do meet. — K. C. Star.
1 September 1949, Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, WI), pg. 19, col. 3:
AUTOMATIC THINKING
Headlines say: Senate votes down cut in government expenses. Looks like Congress is not finding it tough to meet expenses; they’re meeting them everywhere.
AUTOMATIC HEATING. 506 University
11 February 1956, Corsicana (TX) Daily Sun, pg. 8, col. 2:
Why worry about being able to meet expenses? They’re always waiting ahead at every turn. You can’t miss them.
7 March 1959, Ludington (MI) Daily News, “Strictly Business” by McFeatters (comic strip), pg. 9, col. 2:
“I find it easy to meet expenses—they’re all around me!”
3 August 1971, Arizona Republic (Phoenix, AZ), pg. 1 masthead:
Today’s Chuckle
It’s not difficult to meet expenses—they’re everywhere.
Google Books
The Biggest Joke Book Ever
By Jack Jacoby
Victoria, BC: Trafford
2008
Pg. 285:
It’s not hard to meet expenses—they’re everywhere.
Above, a 1934 plaque from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem. Discarded as trash in 2006. Now a Popeyes fast food restaurant on Google Maps.
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Above, Big Apple Corner at 54th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. Google Maps. Stolen and missing, 2021-2024.
Above, John J. Fitz Gerald, from the Aug. 15, 1931, Binghamton (NY) Press, pg. 14.
Listen to Robert Emmerich introduce "The Big Apple," a hit song from 1937. Music written by Bob and performed by Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven with Bob on piano. Lyrics written by Buddy Bernier and sung by Edythe Wright. Audio provided by Dorothy Emmerich.
Also listen to a 1937 "The Big Apple" song by Ozzie Nelson and his Orchestra. See a 1929 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald and a 1931 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald.
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