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40 Things That People Thought Were A Luxury Because They Grew Up Poor, Shared In This Viral Reddit Post

If you grew up poor (or at least relatively poor), some of the things you and your family did (or didn’t do) because of this have probably stuck with you through the years. Even if you’ve found a better life and aren’t poor now, it’s quite likely that you still remember all of the things your family did differently compared to some other well-off families.

Well, Redditors have recently got together to share their stories on this topic. Reddit user u/SnooBeaz went to r/AskReddit to ask everyone who grew up poor what was a thing that they considered a luxury. Over 26,000 people responded in the comments (and the post itself got over 60,000 upvotes), explaining some of the most interesting things that they considered a luxury back in the day.

Bored Panda has collected some of the best answers and made it into a list. Scroll down to read them all, and upvote as well as comment on the ones you liked or related to the most! Oh, and if this isn’t enough, you can check out our other list on the same topic here.

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40 Things That People Thought Were A Luxury Because They Grew Up Poor, Shared In This Viral Reddit Post Mom's are the best, she is a boss. My mom was single and I was the youngest of 3 children so I only ever got hand me downs. At Christmas time we couldn't even afford a tree so she made one out of lights on the wall and asked us each which 1 present we wanted the most. She somehow always made it happen. Years later she told me it was her lunch money she saved for weeks by not eating. She gave everything for us and always did her best. My mom lost her battle to colon cancer in July of 2017. She fought for 3 years and went through 7 rounds of chemotherapy. I was lucky enough to be there and take care of her during it all and was with her the moment her heart stopped. It warms my heart to feel so much love from you all and helps me to know that humanity will always prevail. Please stay safe and continue to be amazing human beings.

DatSkrillex , K.B. Owen Report

Final score:

378points

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40 Things That People Thought Were A Luxury Because They Grew Up Poor, Shared In This Viral Reddit Post I don’t know if anyone can relate, but in about 3rd maybe 4th grade, me and my twin brother had a music class where we were both required to buy a recorder. (Like a plastic flute thing) well my mom said we didn’t have the money so my twin brother and I tore the whole house up in search of $6 for two recorders. We brought a ziploc bag full of change pennies, nickels, dimes etc.

I think the teacher felt sorry for us, cause she paid for our recorders when the rest of the students left the room. Gave us the ziploc bag back.

Thank you Mrs. Albrecht

vvMario , Toshiyuki IMAI Report

Final score:

332points

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Bama Belle 3 years ago

My parents were poor like this, but could somehow always find money for their cigarettes.

163points

Kiss Army Premium 3 years ago

So sorry... kid's should always come first. I remember my parents going without "necessities" to give us kids "luxuries" - of course, I didn't realize it at the time. As an adult I do(did) everything I can to repay them with love, time, gifts and anything else I can think of. I lost my dad 7 years ago but I still "spoil" my mom any way I can because she deserves it!

35points

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Morgan Leigh 3 years ago

That, as well as weed, alcohol, and wendys!

16points

Stephanie Did It 3 years ago

I've never met a smoker who would skip buying cigarettes for something their kids need.

11points

Samantha Pettus 3 years ago

right but my mom blames meand my siblings when she has no mone like.....lady tf

10points

Eagle Girl 3 years ago

@Bama Belle~ I don't know your situation but my friend went without many a meal for her daughter & used cigarettes to take the edge off the hunger pains. She was 16 when she had her kid & terrified she would get it wrong. Nicotine also calms anxiety when you can't afford a dr or insurance.

5points

Duska Radmanovic 3 years ago

That's very sad. I know several poor families and interesting fact, many of them are heavy smokers. I have no idea how they afford cigarettes.

3points

Signe Manat Hansen 3 years ago

The poor shaming here really f*****g hurts

3points

Leo Domitrix 3 years ago

Mine, too. Dad's booze,too.

3points

Leesa DeAndrea 3 years ago

And beer.

1point

Aeon Flux 3 years ago

Addictions have a way of asserting themselves...

1point

Ozzie Ogawa 3 years ago

Sadly this thing happens a lot (especially in 3rd world country). Once my highschool teacher was mad because the parent was unable to pay his kid's school fees (it has been subsidized by the government, so it was not a lot), but he smoke 2 packs a day which cost around 10% of the school fee.

1point

Grumble O'Pug 3 years ago

These days having a smoking habit is like having a boat or a horse. I am sure my horse is cheaper per month to board than a full on zig habit!

1point

Anne Reid 3 years ago

And lottery tickets. Edit: not sure why this is duplicated

1point

Robin Ellison 3 years ago

I am so sorry.

0points

Wine Country Mama 3 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

0points

Kim 3 years ago

Perhaps they had money before buying the cigarettes

0points

Pandana 3 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

0points

dandelion moon 3 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

0points

Blue 3 years ago

My mom would not pay for any brownie or girl scout uniforms or pay 2 bucks a month for dance lessons( 10 bucks in 2020 money) but always had cash for new clothes for herself and to get her hair done every Sat. I ended up quitting bot Guides and Brownies because of the embarrassment of no uniforms.

2points

Paige Grieshop 3 years ago

This is so sad, I live in a fortunate family thoug. I hope that everything is better for them now

1point

Lillukka79 2 years ago

In Finland we got ours free from school.

0points

Heather Menard 3 years ago

I had lost mine somehow and we had to replace it and my mom beat me because I didn't take care of it

0points

Steve Cruz 3 years ago

Thank you Mrs. Albrecht.

0points

nala simba 3 years ago

I bet they don't even record!

0points

fuggnuggins 3 years ago

Gave it back!? F**k that! That would have been like rubbing salt in my wound. Then I'd feel inadequate and guilty, as well as worthless and shabby.

0points

Paulina De La Loza Espiritu 3 years ago

They have so much at the dollar tree i bought mine there althought its not the best ofc its from the dollar tree

0points

Watching 3 years ago

There is nothing wrong with the Dollar Tree! You do what you can for your family!

0points

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Kate DiLiberto 3 years ago

That was very sweet of her!

0points

BiLal Asif 3 years ago

A dirty mind & no context is a curse sometimes before reading it i thought something else

0points

Emily Dillon 3 years ago

Your mom had the money, she just didn't want two recorder playing kids in her house.

0points

Mohammad Ammar 3 years ago

Me playing my recorder around the house used to drive my family mad, so your theory doesn't sound far fetched lol.

3points

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OpalTheRainwing <3 3 years ago

I had some to

0points

serenagun 3 years ago

AWWW

0points

Matthew White 3 years ago

what school

-3points

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40 Things That People Thought Were A Luxury Because They Grew Up Poor, Shared In This Viral Reddit Post In high school, my boyfriend (who became my husband) and his family picked up pretty early on that I was poor, and that my family was pretty dysfunctional. They really let me into their family and took care of me in a sweet, not pity, way.

I was super into art, so his mom found a neighborhood art teacher that did like basically small group art classes and it was so so cool. Anyways she usually charged like $100 for all the supplies, time, etc. My mom knew how excited I was, and I never asked for anything so she told me to ask the teacher to wait until her next paycheck. The teacher was like “sure!” By the time I brought that check to her, I think my boyfriend’s mom talked to her, and she ripped it up and said I got a “scholarship” for the class. Honestly it gives me such good vibes thinking about it till this day.

bageltricloud , Unknown Report

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40 Things That People Thought Were A Luxury Because They Grew Up Poor, Shared In This Viral Reddit Post Grew up pretty poor in Arkansas in a trailer. I literally got a door to my bedroom for Christmas one year. It probably still was the best gift I ever received.

swion , Jena Fuller Report

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273points

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40 Things That People Thought Were A Luxury Because They Grew Up Poor, Shared In This Viral Reddit Post My parents won 1500 bucks at a lottery once. They bought a new sofa (to replace a 25yo sofa), a phone, and we went to a mid-range steakhouse, first restaurant for whole family. I was 20.

lniko2 , sota Report

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270points

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40 Things That People Thought Were A Luxury Because They Grew Up Poor, Shared In This Viral Reddit Post School parties where everyone brought something to share for lunch.

“If you don’t bring something, you don’t get to participate...”

I brought two carrots after not being able to afford school lunch for two years. Even the teacher laughed at me. My young self just decided that day that some people don’t deserve lunch.

Undeniably-Milton , Chris Feser Report

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256points

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40 Things That People Thought Were A Luxury Because They Grew Up Poor, Shared In This Viral Reddit Post My folks always had three meals a day for us but clothes were always a treat.

It might be a pair of pants and a shirt but my folks always made sure it was something that we were able to pick out and it always felt so special. They sacrificed a lot for it.

In fact, my Mom told me a few years ago that in order to provide that my parents didn't buy new clothes (or much of anything) for well over a decade when we were younger.

With my first real job out of school I was able to take my Dad to a shop and have him pick out a suit of his choice and get it fitted. He's confessed that it's one of the moments that's really stuck with him; he still has that suit and has worn it to both my sister's and my weddings.

But yeah, some of those feelings and habits don't really go away. Regarding clothes, they still get worn till they can't be patched anymore and I loathe to throw them away.

I gotta stop there because this is actually making me surprisingly emotional.

cleardiddion , Gregg Tavares Report

Final score:

256points

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40 Things That People Thought Were A Luxury Because They Grew Up Poor, Shared In This Viral Reddit Post I see nobody says this but going to the dentist or any doctor at all

leiniar1234 , Unknown Report

Final score:

235points

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40 Things That People Thought Were A Luxury Because They Grew Up Poor, Shared In This Viral Reddit Post In middle school I was on reduced school meals so it would be .40 for lunch. So my parents would always give me 2 quarters every morning for lunch, now the cafeteria would also sell cookies which wasn’t part of the lunch set for .50 each. So saving .10 each day I could afford one cookie by Fridays lunch. Good times

E_SUN1 , Wikimedia Commons Report

Final score:

213points

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#10

40 Things That People Thought Were A Luxury Because They Grew Up Poor, Shared In This Viral Reddit Post Staying at someone's house who wasn't poor, like a relative or friend. Their house was also so clean, beautiful, pictures on the wall, knick knacks on the counter, and carpet you could play on because it was clean.

I spent my entire teenage years hiding where I lived.

smashingpumpkinspice Report

Final score:

208points

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#11

40 Things That People Thought Were A Luxury Because They Grew Up Poor, Shared In This Viral Reddit Post Going places during school vacation. The kids would be all like “what!? you’ve never been to xyz amusement park!?” No, Trisha. My family doesn’t even have a car.” Which is another luxury to me.

lillithfair4 , Wikimedia Commons Report

Final score:

198points

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#12

40 Things That People Thought Were A Luxury Because They Grew Up Poor, Shared In This Viral Reddit Post I got pretty excited to be given my own bed

TheRavingRaccoon , Megan Story Report

Final score:

167points

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#13

40 Things That People Thought Were A Luxury Because They Grew Up Poor, Shared In This Viral Reddit Post I remember in 8th grade on my birthday at school one of my teachers asked me what gifts I had received. He asked in front of the whole class, I excitedly shared that I would be getting contact lenses. My parents let me choose one thing that I wanted and I desperately wanted to stop wearing the broken glasses I had, which I usually didn’t wear. One of the boys in class made a comment like “contacts aren’t a present..?” And my teacher had to explain to him- again in front of everyone- that for some families they were too expensive not to be a luxury. After that experience I worked two and three jobs in high school so I could buy myself and my brothers the things we needed. The first thing I bought with my money from my first job as a hostess at a diner was a queen size bed because my twin mattress was about 20 years old and at 15 I was having back problems and issues with rusted springs poking me.

_Beloved_C***_ , Unknown Report

Final score:

163points

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#14

40 Things That People Thought Were A Luxury Because They Grew Up Poor, Shared In This Viral Reddit Post Christmas presents.

I was a kid and one year for Christmas when I was young, before I could recognize that I was making any kind of larger point, I said that I wanted my parents to just give my presents to the kids who didn't have anything. But I didn't know that I was one of those kids. I wonder what they thought when a kid said that to them. I wonder if it hurt them or inspired them.

AbstracTyler , ErikaWittlieb Report

Final score:

159points

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#15

40 Things That People Thought Were A Luxury Because They Grew Up Poor, Shared In This Viral Reddit Post Until the age of 12, I thought that you weren’t allowed to buy things that weren’t on sale. My mom only bought things when they were on sale and/or she had a coupon, so I thought that the “non-sale” items weren’t being sold.

tabularasa1996 , Mike Mozart Report

Final score:

158points

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#16

40 Things That People Thought Were A Luxury Because They Grew Up Poor, Shared In This Viral Reddit Post going out to eat at a restaurant

nhenderson7 , Extravigator Report

Final score:

148points

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#17

40 Things That People Thought Were A Luxury Because They Grew Up Poor, Shared In This Viral Reddit Post My Mom had 7 children in 10 years, 1950-1960. I remember having a whole bottle (those smallish glass ones that came out of the machine for 10cents) of soft drink to my self instead of sharing 1 bottle between all 7 of us. I was perhaps 5 years old. I still remember this as the best thing ever.

someonesgoat , Amanda Hirsch Report

Final score:

146points

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#18

A hot shower. Cold showers were always available, but when you scraped enough cash to get some diesel fuel and get the burner to kick on long enough to have a hot shower man, absolutely nothing better.

imthescubakid Report

Final score:

144points

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#19

40 Things That People Thought Were A Luxury Because They Grew Up Poor, Shared In This Viral Reddit Post New clothes.

I grew up pretty poor (no TV, no toys, but had a Sears catalog). My dad got in a serious accident when I was in 4th grade and almost lost his life. He won a small settlement from the community college he was working at and I was able to buy new clothes for the first time in my life. Before this all I ever had were hand me downs from my cousin and donation clothes from the church. Most were worn to the point of having patches on the knees.

The worst part about getting new clothes for the first time is I felt terrible the whole time picking out new clothes because I always felt like a financial burden to my parents. I remember going to Miller’s Outpost and picking out typical 80’s clothes (OP, TnC, etc.).

It’s funny how growing up poor affects my everyday choices, for better or worse. I’ll never outgrow some of the feelings I had as a poor kid and I feel for any kid who has to endure a childhood of poverty. It will affect them and their choices for the rest of their life.

pewpewdeez , osseous Report

Final score:

140points

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#20

Restaurants were definitely somewhere at the top of my list. I lived through the tail end of Apartheid in South Africa so we weren’t allowed into restaurants. Also, non-iceberg lettuce. Dairy products, like a full glass of milk, cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, flavored milk. Lawns.

A dining table and family meals at the table. Vacations that didn’t involve staying with relatives.

CaliAnywhere Report

Final score:

127points

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#21

40 Things That People Thought Were A Luxury Because They Grew Up Poor, Shared In This Viral Reddit Post Pancakes

But now as an adult and knowing how cheap pancakes really are, I think my mom just didn't want to make them

Josie13209 , Sean MacEntee Report

Final score:

124points

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#22

40 Things That People Thought Were A Luxury Because They Grew Up Poor, Shared In This Viral Reddit Post Man, new school supplies! An actual Trapper Keeper is all I wanted.

Blad514 , Wikimedia Commons Report

Final score:

113points

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#23

Parents staying home. I was always alone.

Public_Personality_2 Report

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111points

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#24

40 Things That People Thought Were A Luxury Because They Grew Up Poor, Shared In This Viral Reddit Post New shoes

LameFossil , Aaron Yoo Report

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104points

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#25

Being allowed to turn on the heat during the winter, and also being able to hire a professional to fix broken appliances, plumbing, etc

theabsoluteunit420 Report

Final score:

103points

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#26

My mom bought me the bag of chips I wanted as a birthday present.

TellMeYourSecrets3 Report

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102points

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#27

Having a fridge full of food.

lxfshr Report

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102points

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#28

40 Things That People Thought Were A Luxury Because They Grew Up Poor, Shared In This Viral Reddit Post "We're ordering pizza for dinner"

MabelleMaclean , Zack Middleton Report

Final score:

98points

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#29

40 Things That People Thought Were A Luxury Because They Grew Up Poor, Shared In This Viral Reddit Post Being able to get candy at a store.

New school supplies.

Brand name food.

ExperienceHendrix , ttarasiuk Report

Final score:

97points

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#30

Honestly didn't know that pasta roni was 1$ until I was a grown ass man. I thought that was some gourmet s***.

debtincarnate Report

Final score:

96points

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#31

McDonald's

Clothes that fit

Soda

Having a toy that other kids thought was cool

PM_ME_YOUR__KINKS__ Report

Final score:

90points

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#32

Electricity lol. Thanks for paying the bill this month, mom.

throway82459301 Report

Final score:

87points

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#33

Taking a bath. I mean we bathed every night, but it was by heating up water (that we would go to the park down the road to get in 5 gallon jugs) and filling up a mop bucket to wash off with. Staying over at a friend or family members house and getting to take an actual shower was amazing though.

Competetive_beetle Report

Final score:

87points

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#34

Owning books.

Alex_Duos Report

Final score:

82points

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#35

It's a long time ago - but when I was young (about 6-8 years old) back in the early 1960's we had meat once a week for the family dinner - on Sundays.

redditreader1924 Report

Final score:

82points

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#36

40 Things That People Thought Were A Luxury Because They Grew Up Poor, Shared In This Viral Reddit Post For my school's spirit week, they had a "thrift shop" day, where most everyone dressed in old ratty clothes, or the weirdest stuff they could find in a thrift shop. Needless to say, as someone who's clothes were 80% second hand, it was an eye opener.

VenessaIndelicato , Unknown Report

Final score:

78points

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#37

Renting a movie from blockbuster the first weekend of every month. My brother and I got to pick any movie we wanted as long as it wasn’t rated R. On really special nights, we even got a 2-liter bottle of Sprite for the family to share.

Lovebot_AI Report

Final score:

76points

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#38

Having breakfast. It's gotten to the point where I can't eat in the morning because my body is so used to waiting

MJ-wants-to-chat Report

Final score:

76points

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#39

Air conditioning.

Sometimes we had a jacked up old window unit that would cool down my parents room on the hottest of summer nights and we would sleep in sleeping bags on their floor.

Sometimes it was broke.

Sometimes it just wasn't hot enough to justify running it.

Never during the day though, that's what the library was for.

AllieKat7 Report

Final score:

75points

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#40

A new winter coat. I don’t remember having a new winter coat until I was probably 14 or 15, they had always been hand-me-downs from my cousins. They were usually at least ten years old by the time I got them and the stuffing would be all clumped up.

stephers85 Report

Final score:

68points

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#41

Buying new clothes. The days I justify ordering all kinds of dumb stuff online but I’ve always felt a mental block on buying new clothes. It feels like an unjustified luxury because I always got by on second hand clothes and free tee shirts

punnypotatoes Report

Final score:

34points

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#42

40 Things That People Thought Were A Luxury Because They Grew Up Poor, Shared In This Viral Reddit Post My mother used to consider any kind of cereal a luxury, they only had one box a month.

BussyDestroyer6969 , Mike Mozart Report

Final score:

32points

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#43

Having my own bedroom

Psychological-Low-20 Report

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32points

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#44

My gramma would take me to Chuckee Cheese on my bday and give me a bunch of tokens. That s*** was lux!

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32points

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#45

Jeans from the mall

XxXmaddy666 Report

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32points

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#46

Going to the movie theater!

coffeesneeze86 Report

Final score:

30points

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#47

Chef Boyardee.

Not even kidding.

mindfeces Report

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30points

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#48

Doritos. Or any name brand chips, actually.

archon101 Report

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28points

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#49

Brand name cereal was for the upper class, man.

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26points

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#50

Poptarts and Toaster Strudels!

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Lukas is a photo editor at Bored Panda. 4th year in Vilnius Gediminas Technical University as a graphic designer. Can do whatever he sets his mind to.

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Lukas is a photo editor at Bored Panda. 4th year in Vilnius Gediminas Technical University as a graphic designer. Can do whatever he sets his mind to.

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Some time ago, Robertas used to spend his days watching how deep the imprint in his chair will become as he wrote for Bored Panda. Wrote about pretty much everything under and beyond the sun. Not anymore, though. He's now probably playing Gwent or hosting Dungeons and Dragons adventures for those with an inclination for chaos.

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What do you think ?

POST

$copper-fractions avatar$

Tiny Dynamine 3 years ago

I grew up fairly poor, but not struggling to survive or anything. As a young adult, I'd sometimes ask my nan if she could lend me any money (you know what nans are like, they give you it and don't expect it back). To me, it was always lending and I never forgot it. Years later when I had money, I gave her a Xmas present of a cheque for £200. She and my mum used it to have a holiday together. My nan died a couple of years later. I'm so glad I did that.

28points

Romenriel 3 years ago

So sad. Also the "okay" comments are so annoying.

27points

Shelp 3 years ago

I think that they have been removed because I didn't see any. Maybe "Robert Catte" is one of those very old and technologically unaware folks who are sometimes made fun of on BP. Maybe he genuinely thinks that it's a good think to answer. Or maybe he's a foreigner with other cultural norms. I had a friend from Cameroon who also would answer "okay" without the slightest sign of emotion when asked something. Or maybe I'm just thinking about this too much.

5points

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Luisa Vasconcelos 3 years ago (edited)

We don't know what kind of person is behind " Robert Catte" name. Maybe is someone with some kind of desability. Or he just have a different sense of humor, or he thinks okay, is like to say, I agree. Bored panda is well known for being a kind place. Let's keep this way and come down a bit

0points

Mewton’s Third Paw 3 years ago

No, you love them. That’s why you dedicate your time to talking about them and making the comment section all about them rather than just discussing the actual article. You’re a loser just as much as the “okay” people. You’re doing the exact same thing as them, just you’re even less original somehow.

-3points

Bisexual bean 3 years ago

mine is having my house. my family bounced around and never had any friends. My father had trouble getting a job, because of his limited english. one day, some kids were playing with some matches they ound and set fire to our house. it was ruined, and we coundnt buy a new one. we were homeless for about 3 months. then, we found some nice people who took us in. I am forever grateful. We are currently living with them and They are the nicest. they have the money to support us and words cannot express how grateful i am.

22points

$copper-fractions avatar$

Tiny Dynamine 3 years ago

That's so great of them. I wish you the best for getting things sorted for your future.

13points

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Guy on the internet 3 years ago

I can relate to almost all of these. My family grew up poor. My mom and dad worked hard day and night for their children. I really know the value of money now, and I am so grateful for my parents. Now that I'm an adult, whenever I see somebody on the sidewalk, I take them home and offer them a cup of tea or water and give them a place to stay for the night. It's not much, but you do what you do, right? One day I plan on opening a homeless shelter. One day.

14points

Bender Bending Rodríguez 3 years ago

I can relate to so many of these. Ahh the memories I can do without.

10points

marlene 3 years ago

this goes to show how much we take for granted.

8points

M O'Connell 3 years ago

Many, many years ago I was invited to a sleepover at a wealthier friends house. I was having a good time until I noticed that I was the ONLY person there who had holes in the bottom of their socks. For some reason that mortified me. Now I am happy to say that once socks wear through on the bottom, they get turned into rags. I don't have to keep wearing them like that.

8points

Kari Panda 3 years ago (edited)

Oh, the memories :D I never threw away socks unless the hole was at least 5 cm large. Once a new friend invited me to her family‘s house for a game night, and her brother mocked me about the holes in my socks all night and eventually brought me a new pair from himself because he couldn’t 'bear' it anymore. I was so annoyed about his attitude. Now I‘m married to him and he makes me throw away my socks whenever he spots a hole in them.

10points

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Bleeding-Angel 3 years ago

I think this is very cool. My dad grew up very poor and considered things like these as luxuries. I wanted to learn more about it so I can help people in need. No one should have to go without basic necessities and no one should be living in squalor, I'm sorry for all of you but it's wondeful to see these luxuires you recieved and stories. Thank you, I've learned a lot.

7points

Nemopoint 3 years ago

Buying nice underwears. Not the 5 pack in stores, but a real ones, with a matching bra perfectly sized. Just feeling pretty and be the only one knowing why.

6points

Wendillon 3 years ago

ah this one! It didn't matter that nobody else knew because you felt awesome.

0points

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Ms.GB 3 years ago

As a young adult I really learned to appreciate the holidays because I didn't have money to spend on luxuries so I would get really excited about anything I received especially new socks/warm clothing and getting to eat fancy food.

6points

Sasha Kuleshov 3 years ago

Man, I was so poor :'(

6points

M O'Connell 3 years ago

Being poor isn't a bad thing. It gives you an appreciation for luxuries. Unlike rich people, who have no concept of how good they have it, and don't appreciate any of it.

5points

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Ivana 3 years ago

Dang you all, almost all of these fit my childhood completely. Some hit home hard. You know the great thing about growing up in trailers and being homeless? I grew up and took a ton of risks and I succeeded in most because I knew if I failed I was in deep trouble. But I also knew if I failed the worst that would happen is me being homeless again and I was pretty use to that. One summer my husband and I would split one cup of rice a day, did that for 4 months but we were able to pay rent so it was a win for me. Our crazy Saturday nights was going to the gas station and buying a four loko because they were cheap. Also, tip for struggling parents, I didn't know I was homeless until I got older. My mother told me that the homeless shelter is where people went while their new home was getting ready. Found out when my friend's horrible mother told me when she dropped me off after school. I still hate that woman.

3points

Abhainn 3 years ago

I cannot say that I have experienced what you have gone through, but I have nothing but respect for you. I know it can be so hard. Keep fighting, friend! All the best, and Love from Upstate NY

1point

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Shaista 3 years ago

for me it was heating; i grew up pretty poor in north england and my dad had severe depression, paranoia and schizophrenia so he couldnt work as he was mentally unwell, and my mother had chronic fatigue so she couldnt get out of bed for days. this meant we couldnt afford heating as all the benefit money went on food and water. I remember having ice cold showers and having to sleep in coats we got from charity shops because the electric was too expensive. When i was around 11, my dad got better, got a job as a taxi driver and for the first time i actually experienced what is was like to shower with hot water.

3points

Helen Haley 3 years ago

Milk was a luxury, no clothes that weren't hand-me-downs, shoes always too small, only furniture was one bed and a small tv on the ground.

3points

Carrot dude 3 years ago

Bro why is everyone dissing on Robert Catte now? He literally has edited all of his comments trying to add something. We should be welcoming to our new pandas.

2points

Mimi777 3 years ago

I learned to wash and re use everything, plastic baggies, aluminum foil, etc. We wouldn’t throw anything away until it was completely worn out. My boyfriend grew up with both parents having really good paying jobs. They had 3 kids and they definitely didn’t struggle for anything. There are several things he does that I consider wasteful but I don’t say anything because it’s not my money. But occasionally over the years he has noticed me re using things a bunch and not throwing out anything until I use the very last drop, like cut open a lotion bottle and get every last bit out. He was confused as to why I did all that.

2points

dandelion moon 3 years ago

Having to go with a small coat that doesn't fit and barely keeps you warm until it's your year to get the new coat. One year my brother gets the new coat, then the next year it's my turn, and so on. Honestly I think if you removed everything in our house that was paid for/given to us by a family member with more money, we would have almost nothing. I'm so grateful for my extended family that helps us out with the things we struggle with

2points

Christina Krueger 3 years ago

Buns. We used loaf bread for everything. Hot dogs, hamburgers, garlic bread, sandwiches, toast, French toast, . . .

2points

vernier-benoit 3 years ago

Christina Krueger like

0points

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Csilla Kaszas 3 years ago

I can relate to some of these stuff: not shopping at the mall, not eating out... Growing up, every time I asked for something I felt my mother sighing. When I grew out my child bed (10-11yo), for years I slept on a pullout sofa, and then on an old mattress on the floor. I was 16-ish when I realized that it was not okay and started 'campaigning' for a real bed. Still, when I finished university, my parents helped me with the down payment for a condo - so I paid mortgage instead of rental fees. So it's not like we were actually poor, my parents were frugal, probably because their parents had been poor, for real. Buying a condo is a financial investment, while buying a bed is... investment in a child's good sleep and spine health, which was apparently not a consideration? Well, I guess it wasn't a consideration their parents could have afforded, so it just didn't cross their minds. Still, when I'm thinking about it, it astonishes me anew.

2points

Monika Soffronow 3 years ago

I can relate to growing up with frugal parents. My grandmother lived until she was 95 and when I visited her together with my parents and my son, it was very easy to see who had eaten on which plate at the end of the meal. My grandmother's plate was so clean it could almost be placed in the cupboard without any cleaning, my mother's plate had some slight traces that let you know that there had been food on it, you could probably guess what we had been eating from looking at my plate, and then there was the plate of my son with leftover pieces of food on it. Four generations, four different attitudes to not only food but resources in general.

2points

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Patrick O'Harris 3 years ago

I've never been in a situation like this, my family is more (somewhat) upper-middle class but I remember having a friend who was terribly poor (parents divorced, mother alcoholic). He stayed over very often, ate with us. He was such a kind soul. When his mom drank herself to death he had to leave, but I met him years later. He grew up to be a well nourished, handsome guy who loves his new family very much.

1point

kiwi fusion 3 years ago

Something that’s a luxury to me: being alive. I have nearly drowned, choked, and been impaled.

1point

future_vet 3 years ago

My mom grew up like this. Her mom had left when she was 11 and her dad had to raise her and 5 other kids. From what I am told they struggled a lot. They used to only eat canned beans for days at a time.

1point

Nicholas Yu 3 years ago

As a poor immigrant kid the high light of my week was having a fried egg and hot dog with a side of rice. Now when I make a breakfast consisting of eggs, bacon, waffles, fruit, and yogurt...I feel like I'm spoiling myself.

1point

dr156 3 years ago

Nicholas Yu Good response!

0points

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Lord Mysticlaw 3 years ago

This makes me so sad. My daughter is 12 and we get by OK, I try to always give her what she wants/needs, within reason obv. But I have to be super frugal to make that happen, and I don't want her to think we're poor. So a lot of my saving money is disguised as being environmentally conscious etc. Like we don't eat meat because we're vegetarian. I don't like to buy new clothes because I don't want to support consumerism – we always have family or friends swapping out clothing because someone gained weight or lost weight or got something they hate as a gift. We don't drive a lot because it's bad for the environment. We rarely buy books because it's a waste of paper when you can just borrow it from the library. We always buy off-brand because it's ridiculous to pay more just for a name. I always buy food that's marked down for being close to expiry, because it would be wasteful if the store has to throw it away. I hope I'm doing OK and that she won't have growing up poor stories one day.

1point

Mohammad Ammar 3 years ago

A lot of my childhood consisted of my parents telling me we couldn't afford something. I think you should be more honest with your children, they may be a bit put off at that moment, but they'll learn to appreciate all that you did for them as they get older.

1point

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Monika Soffronow 3 years ago

Perceived poverty is relative. If most or all people around us are about equally hard up, then poverty is much easier to handle. Inequality is what creates problems, and I think that we saw this in quite a few of the posts above, for example when teachers did not appreciate that a student could not afford to bring food and brought two carrots, or when the classmates could not relate to lenses being given as a gift. This is a growing problem all over the world, with the wealth gap expanding. 10 percent of the richest people in the United States own almost 70 percent of the country's total wealth, meaning that the remaining 30 percent of the wealth is (not equally) divided among 90 percent of the people. And the top 1% own 45% of all global personal wealth.

1point

DogMatic 3 years ago

Very well put.

1point

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Monika Soffronow 3 years ago

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/mar/12/poor-broke-difference-poverty-inequality-society

1point

Monika Soffronow 3 years ago

https://review.chicagobooth.edu/behavioral-science/2018/article/how-poverty-changes-your-mind-set

1point

Joanna VINCENT 3 years ago

I grew up in a middle-class home. I have experienced more than half of this list. I am amazed by how much some people get.

0points

xpunkcatx 3 years ago

Joanna VINCENT no

0points

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Onion rings like to make your breath smelly 3 years ago (edited)

Makes me feel more grateful for everything that I have. My parents moved to Canada when they were around 30 and now we have a 3-level house and 2 cars and all those luxuries. I thank God for helping our family to have these and bless the people that don't.

0points

Not Proud British 3 years ago

I still discover things today that remind me of how poor I was growing up and how poor we were when our children were little. I used to dream, as a kid, of going into a restaurant. I imagined what it must be like and wow - a hotel!! That must be amazing! We wore second hand clothes and played with second hand toys. The house was cold and damp as there was no central heating and sometimes we ran out of 50 pence pieces to put into the meter. Years later as a mother I found myself repeating the cycle. My children had second hand clothes and second hand toys. When on day trips to the beach, I would scour arcade venues for dropped coins, hoping to get enough to treat us all to a chippy tea. Everything was bought on the cheap. Now I have a good job and finally we have money to have proper holidays, to eat in restaurants and even to stay in hotels! But I hope my kids have learnt the value of money. To never take things for granted and never throw good stuff away.

0points

Sydnee nielsen 3 years ago

Omg that is really good

0points

Paulina De La Loza Espiritu 3 years ago

I always thought i was the only one that grew up poor on the internet but i grew up to be grateful not like the other girls from school when they their kate spade bags and michel kors

0points

Blue 3 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

0points

Aragorn II Elessar 3 years ago

My God. I’m middle class and reading this made me realize how good I have it. I’m never going to complain again.

0points

WhatEvenIsLife 3 years ago

I remember some of the things I thought were luxuries as a kid. Having your own room was definitely one. Being able to buy new clothes. Eating at a restaurant that wasn't fast food. But the one thing that I thought really meant someone was rich: having matching anything. Matching furniture sets, matching dishes, matching towels. That sh*t looked fancy af to me. One of my aspirations growing up was to have things that matched. I'm ridiculously picky about my bathroom towels; if they're not all the same brand/color/style, it bothers me, because it makes me feel like I'm not succeeding at being an adult.

0points

Fairsher 3 years ago

Neglect, not really poor but food has always been a thing now that I am a mother and adult. I never had food growing up, like a jar of jam in the fridge, nothing else kinda thing. My dad would bring supper home, hamburger patty, instant potatoes, just one small serving or pizza, one piece. It's the reason my fridge, freezer and cupboards are full and my kids have never gone hungry.

0points

seo_10 3 years ago

Fairsher -

0points

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Tabitha L 3 years ago

Things we were too poor to afford growing up..... Real orange juice (we always had frozen orange juice concentrate). Name brand anything. New clothes (I got 1 new outfit for school and 1 for Christmas church each year, everything else was hand me downs). Vacations. Store bought Halloween costumes. More than 2 pairs of shoes (I was the only kid on my softball team without cleats). Braces. Fresh bread (my mom would shop at the "day old" bread store, not sure if that still exists.) Take out.

0points

zovjraar 3 years ago

i'm surprised no one said having phone service. we couldn't afford to have the phone hooked up for most of my life. as a teen, i'd walk to the 7-11 on the corner and call my friends from the payphone.

0points

lee snider 3 years ago

I got to give my mom a Christmas present. We had spent two years living in a van, and finally found a shelter. They had a program where you you pick out two gifts for your family. She got a blue sweater and earrings. To be able to give something was just astounding. I felt like the king of the world. Also, milk in cereal, as opposed to water.

0points

Patti Vance 3 years ago

mom was awesome. and, so was the chinese family that has a little corner market w/a meat counter. le, the owner, figured out mom was struggling working 2 jobs & raising 3 kids. he called her down to the store one day & had his wife show her how to cook stir fry w/little meat but lots of veggies to save $. will never forget that kindness. also, the time i complained i wasn't taking another tuna sandwich on a field trip as it would stink up the bus (tuna was all she could afford). that day i had chicken salad. how? mom later told me she drained, rinsed tuna & seasoned w/chick boullion, mayo, celery, pepper. mom-you were/are great - miss you!

0points

Dasha Slepenkina 3 years ago

My parents and I moved to the U.S. when I was little. They always worked so hard to give me a normal life that I didn't realize we didn't have much money - and thanks to them we're doing well now. But I remember the day my mom cleared out our bedroom and made it my bedroom. Up until that day, we all shared a room. But my mom decided I needed my own space, so she and my dad moved to the couch in the living room and I got to have my own room. It actually took me some getting used to - I was accustomed to sleeping in the same room as my parents. But I remember absolutely loving having my own space. They could have easily taken the bedroom and given me the couch but instead she prioritized creating a safe space for me. I also always got to have a pet - most of them were hand-me-down hamsters, but as an only child these were so special to me. My parents are lab scientists so once we got a hamster who had a tumor... my dad operated on her and she lived for a long time after.

0points

sasch-gromow2015 3 years ago

Dasha Slepenkina ?

0points

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tuzdayschild 3 years ago

Reminds me to never take for granted how truly blessed my life has been.

0points

scranton-lawfirm 3 years ago

tuzdayschild what

0points

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Luisa Vasconcelos 3 years ago

0points

Daria Z 3 years ago

Buying clothes in an actual store, not at the open-air marketplace. Genuine leather boots. Spending vacations by the sea (still cannot afford it).

0points

Eagle Girl 3 years ago

This post was quite bittersweet

0points

Fgirl 3 years ago

Rencontre des femmes en Suisse ! https://www.fgirl.ch/

-1point

xpunkcatx 3 years ago

Fgirl good

0points

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Sarcastic Cow 3 years ago

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POST

$copper-fractions avatar$

Tiny Dynamine 3 years ago

28points

Romenriel 3 years ago

So sad. Also the "okay" comments are so annoying.

27points

Shelp 3 years ago

5points

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Luisa Vasconcelos 3 years ago (edited)

0points

Mewton’s Third Paw 3 years ago

-3points

Bisexual bean 3 years ago

22points

$copper-fractions avatar$

Tiny Dynamine 3 years ago

That's so great of them. I wish you the best for getting things sorted for your future.

13points

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Guy on the internet 3 years ago

14points

Bender Bending Rodríguez 3 years ago

I can relate to so many of these. Ahh the memories I can do without.

10points

marlene 3 years ago

this goes to show how much we take for granted.

8points

M O'Connell 3 years ago

8points

Kari Panda 3 years ago (edited)

10points

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Bleeding-Angel 3 years ago

7points

Nemopoint 3 years ago

Buying nice underwears. Not the 5 pack in stores, but a real ones, with a matching bra perfectly sized. Just feeling pretty and be the only one knowing why.

6points

Wendillon 3 years ago

ah this one! It didn't matter that nobody else knew because you felt awesome.

0points

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Ms.GB 3 years ago

6points

Sasha Kuleshov 3 years ago

Man, I was so poor :'(

6points

M O'Connell 3 years ago

Being poor isn't a bad thing. It gives you an appreciation for luxuries. Unlike rich people, who have no concept of how good they have it, and don't appreciate any of it.

5points

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Ivana 3 years ago

3points

Abhainn 3 years ago

I cannot say that I have experienced what you have gone through, but I have nothing but respect for you. I know it can be so hard. Keep fighting, friend! All the best, and Love from Upstate NY

1point

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Shaista 3 years ago

3points

Helen Haley 3 years ago

Milk was a luxury, no clothes that weren't hand-me-downs, shoes always too small, only furniture was one bed and a small tv on the ground.

3points

Carrot dude 3 years ago

Bro why is everyone dissing on Robert Catte now? He literally has edited all of his comments trying to add something. We should be welcoming to our new pandas.

2points

Mimi777 3 years ago

2points

dandelion moon 3 years ago

2points

Christina Krueger 3 years ago

Buns. We used loaf bread for everything. Hot dogs, hamburgers, garlic bread, sandwiches, toast, French toast, . . .

2points

vernier-benoit 3 years ago

Christina Krueger like

0points

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Csilla Kaszas 3 years ago

2points

Monika Soffronow 3 years ago

2points

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Patrick O'Harris 3 years ago

1point

kiwi fusion 3 years ago

Something that’s a luxury to me: being alive. I have nearly drowned, choked, and been impaled.

1point

future_vet 3 years ago

1point

Nicholas Yu 3 years ago

1point

dr156 3 years ago

Nicholas Yu Good response!

0points

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Lord Mysticlaw 3 years ago

1point

Mohammad Ammar 3 years ago

1point

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Monika Soffronow 3 years ago

1point

DogMatic 3 years ago

Very well put.

1point

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Monika Soffronow 3 years ago

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/mar/12/poor-broke-difference-poverty-inequality-society

1point

Monika Soffronow 3 years ago

https://review.chicagobooth.edu/behavioral-science/2018/article/how-poverty-changes-your-mind-set

1point

Joanna VINCENT 3 years ago

I grew up in a middle-class home. I have experienced more than half of this list. I am amazed by how much some people get.

0points

xpunkcatx 3 years ago

Joanna VINCENT no

0points

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Onion rings like to make your breath smelly 3 years ago (edited)

0points

Not Proud British 3 years ago

0points

Sydnee nielsen 3 years ago

Omg that is really good

0points

Paulina De La Loza Espiritu 3 years ago

I always thought i was the only one that grew up poor on the internet but i grew up to be grateful not like the other girls from school when they their kate spade bags and michel kors

0points

Blue 3 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

0points

Aragorn II Elessar 3 years ago

My God. I’m middle class and reading this made me realize how good I have it. I’m never going to complain again.

0points

WhatEvenIsLife 3 years ago

0points

Fairsher 3 years ago

0points

seo_10 3 years ago

Fairsher -

0points

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Tabitha L 3 years ago

0points

zovjraar 3 years ago

0points

lee snider 3 years ago

0points

Patti Vance 3 years ago

0points

Dasha Slepenkina 3 years ago

0points

sasch-gromow2015 3 years ago

Dasha Slepenkina ?

0points

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tuzdayschild 3 years ago

Reminds me to never take for granted how truly blessed my life has been.

0points

scranton-lawfirm 3 years ago

tuzdayschild what

0points

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Luisa Vasconcelos 3 years ago

0points

Daria Z 3 years ago

Buying clothes in an actual store, not at the open-air marketplace. Genuine leather boots. Spending vacations by the sea (still cannot afford it).

0points

Eagle Girl 3 years ago

This post was quite bittersweet

0points

Fgirl 3 years ago

Rencontre des femmes en Suisse ! https://www.fgirl.ch/

-1point

xpunkcatx 3 years ago

Fgirl good

0points

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Sarcastic Cow 3 years ago

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40 Things That People Thought Were A Luxury Because They Grew Up Poor, Shared In This Viral Reddit Post

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