Can you drive without a power steering rack?

So i bought a car about a week ago, and the steering was difficult but i thought that the car didnt have power steering because it is a old car.. Its a 1995 Jetta volkswagen celebration edition 2.0L. Ive been driving it, and its hard to turn but i don't really mind. Its like driving without power steering. But i went in to get an oil change and they said i had a very leaky power steering rack, like its needs replacing. I was wondering do i need to replace it or will it damage the car more if i dont replace it for a while? They mechanic told me it was around 850 for parts and labor. I just bought this car, and i still need to pay for school and rent, and im not able to afford it at the moment... So can i drive with it damaged or will it damage my car in the long run.