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While the United States is considered to be one of the richest countries in the world, it has a huge wealth gap—more than 34M of its residents live in poverty. Many of them are facing financial struggles every single day and can easily see the privileges others are lucky to have.

So when a couple of users asked people who grew up in low-income families to share things that the rich would never understand, it sparked quite a conversation on the r/AskReddit sub. Whether it’s talking about household items, chores, or food on the table, commenters quickly started telling the unwritten rules they had to live by.

Take a look below at some of the most illuminating answers we collected from the thread. And after you’re done, don’t forget to check out our previous posts about the subtle signs that show a person is rich here and right here.

#1

30 People From Low-Income Homes Explain The Things That Rich Kids Would Never Understand That it never goes away. I want from homeless growing up to having a very comfy six figure job. I still find myself acting as if I am always living on the edge of homelessness again. Thinking I can't try new foods because it I don't like it then I won't get dinner. That I'm a bad person for throwing out things instead of trying to reuse them. I get serious panic attacks I think I did bad at work because my brain still tells me I'm one paycheck from the street.

AsexualAccountant , The Lazy Artist Galler Report

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OhForSmegSake
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh this needs to be number 1. I went through pretty bad poverty years ago- dumpster diving for food, stealing from neighbour's veggie patches and fruit trees, begging for $$ on the street just to keep a roof over our head. Recently the main earner in my household lost their job and I've already found myself eating one meal a day to make things stretch, looking at what I own that I can sell, taking notice of who nearby grows fruit and veggies. I dont feel the hunger pangs anymore and I've lost 10kg in the last 2mths. We're not even desperate for food or money yet but I'm already in poverty mode.

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#2

30 People From Low-Income Homes Explain The Things That Rich Kids Would Never Understand True hunger. I don't mean that casual "I guess I should eat..." feeling, I mean that hollow, cramping pain deep in your stomach, the hunger that feels like your own body is eating itself from the inside out and that drives you crazy to the point you'll eat anything you can chew through just to try and keep the pain away.

Nobody should have to feel that, poor or not, especially a child.

korbah , cottonbro Report

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Bored Panda reached out to the Redditor Leroy_Spankinz whose question “What’s something you’d find in a lower class home that rich people wouldn’t understand?” amassed more than 15.5K upvotes and 9.6K comments. The user was kind enough to discuss the idea behind this thread and the conversation that it sparked. 

Leroy_Spankinz told us that they post on r/AskReddit a lot and are always interested to hear others’ thoughts and experiences. “I think a lot of people, the majority even, grow up in financially strained households,” they said. 

“I wanted to hear about all of the different ways poorer families learned to adapt, and what they have in common with each other. Wealthier households just don’t have that same kind of creativity, and that was the basis for the question.”

#3

30 People From Low-Income Homes Explain The Things That Rich Kids Would Never Understand It’s expensive being poor.

saltierthancats , Emil Kalibradov Report

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Bexxxxx
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yep. I’ve paid way more in bank fees this year than friends who make twice as much as I do. Not to mention having to buy smaller quantities of things (4 rolls of TP instead of 24) so paying more per item. If I’m short on a bill payment they charge me more so now I’m even more behind. I wish I knew how much extra fees I’ve paid over my lifetime for being broke.

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#4

30 People From Low-Income Homes Explain The Things That Rich Kids Would Never Understand A lifetime of clutter because it's so hard to throw anything away even when you're no longer poor.

HermitWilson , Alex Russell-Saw Report

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They shared with us that one of their parents was very poor while they were growing up, and the other was financially secure. “I asked that question just because I’ve seen the differences between those households myself and I wanted to understand how other people viewed those differences as well,” Leroy_Spankinz explained. 

The user also mentioned some examples that come to mind when discussing the differences between low and high-income households. In the former ones, you could find “a drawer full of condiment packets, a pile of old napkins from various fast food restaurants, old Slurpee/BigGulp cups used as normal kitchen cups, stuff like that.”

Meanwhile, wealthier households just buy the “proper” version of such items “and are even disgusted when they see other people living with these.”

#5

30 People From Low-Income Homes Explain The Things That Rich Kids Would Never Understand Seeing your mother wear 20+ year old worn out clothing and what amount to rags she collected from hospital visits, all so her child could have the best. Then the sadness of not being able to spoil her when you finally have your own money because she passed away too young.

Well... I just made myself sad lol

Nivasha , Joshua Fernandez Report

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#6

“You didn’t make good choices, you HAD good choices.”

They seemingly always try to downplay the headstart they get, and how it boosts them throughout their life, versus someone who didn’t have that.

PringlePasta Report

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Bexxxxx
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

“You didn’t make good choices, you HAD good choices,” wow I’ve never seen it worded like that and I love it

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#7

30 People From Low-Income Homes Explain The Things That Rich Kids Would Never Understand I've got one: not having vacations.

I'm in my thirties now. Work in tech. Work thing they had some trivia game and one of the questions was both "(senior leaders) A and B went to this same ski lodge last so and so".

Had been functioning as the team 'ace' with the more brainy questions- for that I just leaned back and went "Welp, no help to us here; I don't know any ski lodges"

My whole team, baffled prodded me going "wait, you don't know any? Just guess the one you went to as a kid with your family"

So . . . explained to like 3 other adults that poor families don't do that. I had never had a family vacation. Winter meant hauling firewood.

Sekret_One , David Vives Report

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Adam C
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

During class teacher asked which was the last movie I saw in Cinema. " I have never been a cinima ever" I was 14.

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Leroy_Spankinz was truly impressed by how respectful and constructive the comments were: “It was so cool to provide a space for people to learn and laugh together over all the little things they didn’t know they had in common.”

We also contacted the author of another thread, Bobtheglob71, who was curious to ask people from low-income homes about things “that ‘rich kids’ will never understand.” They told Bored Panda that they came up with this post after spending a lot of time browsing the r/AntiWork subreddit, a community dedicated to discussing job-related struggles.  

#8

30 People From Low-Income Homes Explain The Things That Rich Kids Would Never Understand This actually is painful to type, but, here goes.



Sometimes, only being able to see your mother for fifteen minutes a day when she picks you up or drops you off at school, because she has to work 18 hours a day just to support you. Having to wear shoes from Pay-Less because your mom can't afford anything better. Having to borrow food from other kids at school because your mom can't afford food, and the school lunches aren't free. Having to sometimes go a day or two without eating at all because you lost your food stamp card. Only having 12 channels of TV, and that TV is 30 years old, and only 14 inches. Having to watch other kids get everything they wanted for their birthdays, just so you can kind of pretend its your birthday party.

Damionstjames , Indira Tjokorda Report

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Hannah Edwards
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some mothers having to work abroad and not seeing their children for months at a time.

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#9

30 People From Low-Income Homes Explain The Things That Rich Kids Would Never Understand Watching your mom have to put items back as there is it not enough money to pay for everything.

Poenkel , Oleg Magni Report

#10

30 People From Low-Income Homes Explain The Things That Rich Kids Would Never Understand Having dinner and knowing that your Mum isn't eating, not because she isn't hungry, but because she's making sure her kids have food first.

DragonsLoveBoxes , jamie he Report

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Libstak
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My dad did this all his life. Mum would make enough to feed an army every night just so dad would eat at all. He even wanted us to have plenty of leftovers in case we got the munchies, he was the one with the munchies cos he never ate enough dinner just in case and then ate properly once we were sleeping.

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Bobtheglob71 noticed that there were quite a few posts expressing hatred towards people who were born into wealth and “was curious to see what everyone else thought.”

The user disclosed that they didn’t grow up poor: “This question was also partly made so that I could see others’ views on life based on what family they were born into. I’ve learned that the ‘rich kid’ doesn’t experience just about any of those things that people answered.”

#11

A lot of poor addicts are addicts because they need the escapism of it. Lifting people out of poverty is the biggest mental help you can give someone

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#12

30 People From Low-Income Homes Explain The Things That Rich Kids Would Never Understand When I went to school (in the '70s). At lunch time we had to stand in line in the hall before going into the cafeteria. they made those of us on 'free lunches' stand in the back of the line. It was quite humiliating.

BirdGuy64 , Adrian Sampson Report

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BM85
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This kinda sh!t wouldn't fly today. The meal is only free to the child, someone is still paying for it! Shame on everyone who thinks its okay to make a kid/human feel less than. some real w@nkers out there.

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#13

30 People From Low-Income Homes Explain The Things That Rich Kids Would Never Understand My ex was wealthy and never understood why I don’t answer phone numbers I don’t recognize. We just never did that at my house, and now I understand it was probably to avoid debt collectors.

cmconnor2 , Priscilla Du Preez Report

#14

30 People From Low-Income Homes Explain The Things That Rich Kids Would Never Understand Sleep for dinner.

Leeono , Daria Shevtsova Report

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juni
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Slinkman. No. Sleep for dinner means there is sleep for dinner. Not food for dinner. Not matter when you come home. It means no food.

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#15

Even though I am years beyond it and have a good job. I have gotten past most of it except for 2 things.

Guilt over spending anything on myself even if I need it (work clothes for example)

Food waste. I am more like,y to eat the oldest leftovers in the fridge so the don’t go bad or overeat if there is just a bit left than to throw it out. I know this is detrimental to my health but haven’t stopped because throwing something out makes me stressed.

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#16

Clothes. You wear what you have, and you wear it out. Yes, this is the same bathing suit as last year, you judgemental b****.

I have a steady job, savings, and a closet full of clothes. I still wear everything like I did when I was 7. You wear it until it is visibly stained, or noticeably smells. And you don't ever throw anything away, because you might need it again.

Or if you do give clothes away, you give them to another neighborhood child. Every single one of your neighbors is as bad off as you, they will not turn away clothes that fit.

IamtheBoomstick Report

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Caiman 94920
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I learned to sew on an ancient machine when I was 12 because the hand me downs that I got from a family friend were all the wrong colors (pale pastels) and stodgy styles (think preppy type stuff when everyone was wearing peasant tops and bell bottoms)

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#17

30 People From Low-Income Homes Explain The Things That Rich Kids Would Never Understand Back in the Dominican Republic, my mom would lean a chair against each exit door at night and put metal cups on top of the chairs. If someone tried forcing the door open, the metal cups would fall — alarming us of the danger. That was our 'security' system for years.

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#18

30 People From Low-Income Homes Explain The Things That Rich Kids Would Never Understand What a luxury laundry is. Those kids i went to.school with will never understand I was so poor my family couldn't afford to use the laundry machines in our building, so often times my dad would just get a big cheap bottle of dish soap or some bars of Irish Spring, and that soap was for laundry, dishes and bathing. Also that those tv dinners were a god send. Getting 20 banquet tv dinners for 10 bucks meant eating good for a few days.

WanderingGenesis , RODNAE Productions Report

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Lav Oravaf
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

for my experience, a cheap and better version of one soap for all is marseille soap. works splendidly for washing anything, and it's gentle on our body.

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#19

30 People From Low-Income Homes Explain The Things That Rich Kids Would Never Understand All my gifts for Christmas and Birthdays were something I needed or would need and had to be bought anyway. Like clothes, shoes, or school supplies. Never, never anything fun or just because I wanted it. I also had to steal my first real bra because I'd outgrown my training bra. I'd even snipped the elastic all around to provide more stretch but it wasn't working anymore and people were commenting on it.

freckledjezebel , Adrian F Report

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El muerto
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

that's why I never complain about getting socks or nothing for christmas...you get what you get, and if it's good, is great

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#20

A lot of people are mentioning being deprived of food and clothes, so I'll mention other things. People who grew up umm not poor often don't understand how come I've never been ice skating. Or roller skating. I don't know how to swim, because I didn't have any means to pay for swimming classes or pool entry (no swimming pool at my school). I could never participate in any after school activities, because even if they were funded by a nearby town, I had no way to get there. My hobbies were writing awful poems and drawing with s**tty crayons, because it was free. I didn't have any video games, except of pirated The Sims. We've never been on vacation as a family. I never went to a summer camp. If you are rich, these things are a given. They are normal. Also, so many knock offs. Knock off toys, knock off cereal, Tesco Value everything. Also, toilet paper was a luxury.

CarolynEarle Report

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DKS 001
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

cut up rags or washcloths as toilet paper. Rinse in sink, wash and reuse

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#21

Cold hot dog on piece of bread. Turning off every light in the house except the room you're in. Window unit ACs. Space heaters. Little storage space. Little freezer/fridge space. Microwave as only way to cook food. Saving all extra napkins/utensils/condiments. No working bath/shower in home. No washer/dryer. Leaky roof. Makeshift insulation made of bubble wrap and tin foil for windows. Blankets over windows instead of curtains. Sprinkler on roof to keep it cooler in the summer. Dirty laundry because you have to wait to get quarters. Rationing quarters, rationing food, rationing everything. Always have a mental list of things you can sell to get quick cash in an emergency. Torn/worn clothes/bedding. Wearing the one good bra constantly. Laundry day outfit. Spaghetti. All. The. Time. Foods with long shelf life. Chips in dishes. That one thing (or few things) that's just literally held together with duct tape. Stuffing down the trash to make sure you get full use out of each trash bag. The sack of other sacks. The car that you'll drive until it can't go anymore, if you have a car. Moving a "spare" lightbulb from one room to the other so you can delay buying more. Holding on to food past it's expiration date even though you won't eat it in the foreseeable future but what if you NEED it? Squeezing the s**t out of the toothpaste. Adding water to the drop of shampoo in the bottle. Delaying medical care. Having to put down pets yourself because you can't afford the vet doing it. Baking soda as carpet freshener. Febreezing everything if you don't have money for the wash. Using paper towels as toilet paper. Using paper towels as tissues. Using paper towels as plates. Negotiating with the electric/water company so that they don't turn off your utilities before you get paid. Lots of blankets in winter. Hanging clothes to dry. Washing clothes by hand. Washing dishes by hand. Taking a "rag bath." F**ked up teeth, can't afford dentist. Some long term ailment that you put off seeing a medical professional about because it's not an emergency, just an inconvenience. Reusing ziploc bags. Buying paper folders vs. plastic ones. Cinnamon, sugar, butter tortillas for desert. Hand-me-downs.

rain-E-daze1 Report

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Nugua
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

“Turning off every light in the house except the room you're in." Isn't that normal?

Kelli Girouard
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Did I write this? ^ I was just telling my son about standing in line at the local church, that we weren't members of, just to get a bag of rice, some powdered milk and a block of gov'ment cheese. But, damn, gov'ment cheese made the best grilled cheese sandwiches.

Vonny
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

oh ! And washing out zip-lock baggies, to reuse them, and most paper towels, if not too soiled, can be rinsed out, dried & used again. That is if one is lucky enough to have paper towels to begin with. Using dish 'rags' and old cloth in lieu of paper towels/napkins.

Hayhaypaula
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm doing most of these NOW! Thankful for food stamps and energy assistance programs

Milda Dell
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

alot of those are actually environmentally friendly and i do those things and don't think im poor. or am i🤔

Carbonel
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

THIS! Some of the things mentioned should be completely normal and nothing to do with poverty.

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Bron
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dreading when you had to replace that one bra you had. But hanging clothes to dry? Unless you live somewhere it rains most days, you should be hanging your clothes to dry. (Yes, I know about HOA rules. They suck)

Widdershins66
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In the UK, no shame at all in line drying clothes outdoors, if you manage to get a rain free day that is lol

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Lady Goofball
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Never throw out tubes or jars or containers that act empty because you can't get any more out. Cut them open and you will find tons of product lining the sides that you can still use. You can delay buying more for weeks and even months sometimes.

Vonny
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wondering how many others truly understand this post. Not wishing any others to feel the depths of poverty, but wishing they'd try harder to understand better, that this reality exists for so many. To not be so judgmental, but instead to try to help others more often.

Jessi Zultanky
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Putting your pet down yourself?! That's just awful. Surrender them to an animal shelter that may save them or otherwise humanely put them down if it's necessary. Also sometimes a vet clinic built into the shelter offers low price services. I don't even want to ask how you "put them down" yourself.

Thomas Biorogue
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wait, that putting the sprinkler on the roof might be a good damn idea. We have a tin roof and man does it get hot in this Texas sun.

Mewton’s Third Paw
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I still save the napkins and condiments. That little hot mustard packet is good lol

PandaGoPanda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can relate to most of these, except putting off the doctor and dentist - so very thankful to live in the UK where medical treatment is free. And no AC here!

Anne Wilkes
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My husband's mother "put down" many a puppy because they couldn't afford to feed them. Disturbing and distressing.

Boreedout of my mind
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why keep getting dogs then? Not even give them to a shelter? Damn that's so dumb I have no words

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lkthorlyn23
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lived a block away from meat packing plant, very poor area. They'd send us kids down to see if there were any "handouts" when they were slaughtering. Had many butter sugar sandwiches...didn't have Cinnamon. We'd go steal eggs from the nearby farm..they'd shoot rock salt at us if they heard us! Got lots of free veggies in the summer...slim pickings in the winter. There was no fast food when I was little so never got the condiments! Next door neighbors had 10 kids, didn't have any furniture so they used a pile of clean clothes for a baby bed...But everybody got along, none of the race or gender crap, we were all equally poor!

Nicole A
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You got HOTDOGS on your bread?! We ate ketchup sandwiches. Or some other condiment and bread. No meat or cheese. And the ketchup packets were extras we took from the special monthly McDonald's. We didn't get condiments from jars or squeeze bottles. How the eff was I fat growing up?! Oh yeah the medical one. When I got older and got coverage I'd get concerned calls from Drs asking if I was abused because they were multiple old breaks on my bones. I said no, I knew mom was too poor so unless a bone was sticking out, I'd tough out the pain because I didn't want to burden mom with my non lethal medical problem.

Samantha Becker
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Peanut butter and mustard sandwiches because there's nothing else in the cupboards.

Aye Emme
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, I remember making mayonnaise sandwiches for myself when I was 7-8 because my mom worked graveyard shift and slept during the day & this was the only thing I could make myself. Put me off mayo for years.

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Bobby
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When we were kids we couldn't afford AC or heater. Now I am married and have kids have AC and heater but couldn't afford electric bill. Ain't that make me same.

Mel Rupp
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Window air conditioner in bedroom only, and ONLY because sleeping was necessary to sustain you in your 14 hour work day.

Marilyn Ransberry
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The health care thing - has to be in the USA because all the other first world countries have public health care. This is 💩🤬

Mtownmick
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow this thread is off the rails. This is a tough list. Just because we did a few things on it doesn't begin to invalidate this kind of poverty described here.

Mimi M
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A) Points for 'duct'. B) How does one put a pet down oneself? Do I even want to know?

Holly Hobby
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I do all these. My husband is always put off by this. He leaves EVERY single light on 24/7 and we live in a nice neighborhood but can't understand why I lock my car and front door (even when I'm home).

Mickie Shea
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow! Thanks for the reminder. We could of grown-up in the same family.

Satya Bain
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The house I grew up in didn't have AC until well after the youngest child left the home. It's still considered excessive in my immediate family.

R Carson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Shows how much people take the basis for granted.....sorry.

Ress P
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can understand all of this, but putting down your own pet??????????? How on Earth...

Mel Rupp
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Using actual rags for in place of sanitary pads, and hand-washing them to use again.

Emme K.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All of these make me sad but the part that said "having to put down pets yourself because you can't afford the vet doing it" is just so depressing, that must hurt so much :(

Summer Mason
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All of it. Spot on. All. Of. It. Some of these I still do cause....money....

zovjraar me
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

once went a year without heat and most of my teenage years we didn't have phone service. i had to call my BFF from the 7-11 pay phone.

LeeAnne B
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A lot of the issues in this entry are actually normal and energy conservation is a must as is re-using or re-purposing. Perfect it's because I'm from South Africa.

Ula Kulesza
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Half of these things are just normal... Most of these is just BS to make the list longer: -Turning off every light in the house except the room you're in. -Window unit ACs -Space heaters. -Little storage space. -Little freezer/fridge space. -Foods with long shelf life. -Chips in dishes. -That one thing (or few things) that's just literally held together with duct tape -Stuffing down the trash to make sure you get full use out of each trash bag. -The sack of other sacks. -The car that you'll drive until it can't go anymore -Squeezing the s**t out of the toothpaste. -Adding water to the drop of shampoo in the bottle. -Baking soda as carpet freshener. -Using paper towels as toilet paper. Using paper towels as tissues. Using paper towels as plates. -Hanging clothes to dry -Washing clothes by hand. Washing dishes by hand. Seems that you can be a spoiled brat and be poor at the same time.. Lol

AnnaBanana
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I agree with you. A lot of this is not extreme poverty, it's just people being thrifty with money and making do with what they have.

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Cybele Spanjaard
Community Member
2 years ago

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I do a lot of those things and I am not at all poor..it is practical and wise!! Also, many poor choose to buy junk food that is costly and poor for health. Fresh veg and fruit in season work and taste better when one realises it, so does your brain. This junk food society is killing people.

FRUHD
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fresh foods are much more expensive in America. In places of poverty, fresh isn't even an option... The closest "market" is a convenience store with no fruit or veg.

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#22

30 People From Low-Income Homes Explain The Things That Rich Kids Would Never Understand 'There's a trick to it' is a phrase to indicate something is messed up, but not enough to fix it. See also: 'Ya gotta jiggle the handle.'

ModernSwampWitch , Sam Clarke Report

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O Santos
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My Dad’s favorite phrase. I bought a lawnmower behind his back—he fixed them and gave me one—because I didn’t want to deal with “the trick”. I was scared to tell him because I didn’t want to hurt his feelings.

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#23

30 People From Low-Income Homes Explain The Things That Rich Kids Would Never Understand Buying kids clothes that are too big so they last a couple of years.

pokemontrainer-anna , Md Salman Report

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Adam C
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mom: "Buy size M." Me:" I'm 17 and stoped growing since 15"

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#24

30 People From Low-Income Homes Explain The Things That Rich Kids Would Never Understand I remember coming back from summer vacation and dreading going back to school for the mere fact I had nothing interesting to share about the summer. All my classmates would talk about their vacations and I would make something up so I wouldn’t sound boring.

Scared_Difference_24 , Kobe - Report

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Carrie Laughs
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I dreaded our drama classes because of this. After the long summer holiday we had to stand up in drama class and speak about what we had done during our summer break. I had nothing. Lived in the middle of nowhere and only had my sister to spend time with - we'd cycle for miles but that doesn't make for an interesting speech.

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#25

30 People From Low-Income Homes Explain The Things That Rich Kids Would Never Understand Why your parents are incredibly strict and won't let you go anywhere or do anything.

My mom never allowed me to go with friends because she knew I wouldn't be able to afford hanging out with them. I always thought she was just really strict, but really she just wanted to spare me the embarrassment.

twentythreeturtles , Emil Kalibradov Report

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athornedrose
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i remember my mom having to explain to a classmate's mom that she couldn't spot my mom money for me to go out with her and her daughter because she had no idea if she could pay it back. classmate's mom was all class and never let her daughter bring it up again, but would occasionally buy stuff for all the girls in class to make sure i got toys or hair ties and such

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#26

Amount of time feeling powerless.

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Mewton’s Third Paw
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Self blame, blaming your parents for even having you, defeat, feeling trapped, feeling like the only poor person in a world where everyone is just casually going to the dentist and doctor and having a new shirt or jacket every so often. Feeling suicidal, wanting to give up. It’s very very difficult.

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#27

30 People From Low-Income Homes Explain The Things That Rich Kids Would Never Understand Yogurt and other grocery containers used as Tupperware. A bunch of basins for hand-washing clothes in the bathtub.

madeto-stray , Christina Vlinder Report

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ZAPanda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

we do this with the tupperware thing. We have a lot of reusable containers. It saves the environment a bit.

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#28

30 People From Low-Income Homes Explain The Things That Rich Kids Would Never Understand I think Western poor houses would tend to be more cluttered. You can't rebuy things easily, so you end up keeping around doubles of things you already have, or extra things you aren't using but might need sometime. You don't know if you'll be able to afford it in the future.

madeto-stray , Jeffrey Hamilton Report

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Miss Frankfurter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mom grew up in the depression. Her phrase was "Don't throw that away, you never know when we might need it." We never did, but it was always there just in case.

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#29

30 People From Low-Income Homes Explain The Things That Rich Kids Would Never Understand Diluted dishwashing soap that doubles as hand-washing soap.

dawnangel89 , cottonbro Report

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OhForSmegSake
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Diluted shampoo for handsoap is less harsh on hands. Diluted dish soap is good for washing clothes.

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#30

30 People From Low-Income Homes Explain The Things That Rich Kids Would Never Understand When it's really hot in the South, it can be hard to sleep. I keep a mister water bottle by the bed and mist the sheet before I go to sleep, and periodically cool off through the night.

dolphinwaxer , Jp Valery Report

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May
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in Denmark, where aircon is very rare, because it usually only gets uncomfortably hot for a couple of weeks a year - and I do the same.

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#31

Being told:

"Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without."

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Nubmaeme
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Isn't that what you're supposed to do anyway? If more people did this, there would be less stuff going to the landfills.

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#32

Being bullied for being poor.

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MyOpinionHasBeenServed
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got made fun of for not owning a pair of jeans and for the shoe brand I wore, and for wearing pink, purple and bright green. For being proud of having a cheap but cool holographic watch my granny bought me at the holograph store (that store was so cool). For never have gone to Disneyland or Disney World. For the colour and style of my bike I had gotten for my birthday. I got made fun of for so many things I didn't want to be around anyone at school.

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#33

30 People From Low-Income Homes Explain The Things That Rich Kids Would Never Understand Using the larger plastic shopping bags as trash can liners.

/New_Game_P1us , Juan Pablo Serrano A Report

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Jayne Kyra
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is just a good way to recycle them. We use plastic bags that TP comes in to recycle plastic, empty cat litter bags for paper.

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#34

30 People From Low-Income Homes Explain The Things That Rich Kids Would Never Understand I used to have a can crusher outside and one of my chores was to crush the cans. We would put them in this industrial plastic barrel that my dad got from work. When it eventually filled up, we took it to the scrap metal yard and sold the cans.

WeirdJawn , Mark Bonica Report

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Analyn Lahr
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had to crush soda cans with my foot. Don't know what my dad did with the harder vegetable cans.

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#35

30 People From Low-Income Homes Explain The Things That Rich Kids Would Never Understand Reused ziplock bags — they're still okay."

bigbakedp0tato , Cristi Ursea Report

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#36

"Can I get $2.46 on pump 3?"

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Ann Dennis
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember an old "Ziggy" cartoon where the gas station guy says, "No, I can't give you two dollars-worth. My reflexes aren't that fast."

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#37

There was a scene from Family Guy where Carter Pewterschmidt (Lois’ rich dad) visits their house. When he walks in, he says

“Oh, I forgot you were poor and so your front door opens directly into your living room.”

I felt that.

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ZAPanda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's normal here even in fancy houses, because we don't really do the victorian entrance hall thing... that's only in really old colonial houses. Also, most poor people here have a house which consists of six sheets of corrugated iron tied together with wire. So... having an actual house, here, is pretty nice. It is one of our government's achievements was to deliver a substantial number of actual houses.

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#38

Getting a job as soon as it's legal to help out with rent and groceries

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Linus Nilsson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Did not wait for it to be legal, just didn't get any work clothes so the owners could claim that we were just children playing if anybody asked.

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#39

30 People From Low-Income Homes Explain The Things That Rich Kids Would Never Understand Collecting aluminum cans.

DryMartini_Up , Fotografbee Report

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Rider
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We would collect the points off marlboro cigarette packs we found (no one smoked). We'd send them in for the free stuff. I had an unreasonable number of tshirts of that damn camel.

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#40

Tons of random promotional items: free pens, scrap pads, Frisbee, back scratcher, stress ball, etc. And yes, I came up with this quick list while sitting at my dad's house and glancing around.

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#41

That you don't need to flaunt your processions like they are personality traits. Once did a project with a guy in college. And all he really talked about was his expensive family trips and expensive things that they owned and how much they cost. I was generally kind but also dismissive of his stories because I knew hey wanted me to be impressed and be wow but I wasn't. "wooo you have an expensive thing, cool beans.. Want to know the most prized thing I have. it isn't a yacht but my father's ashes." Is something I dearly wanted to say but couldn't.

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Jiska Veldhuizen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I once had a classmate whom bought everything ''branded'' She was so proud her socks were 35 euros.. absolutely ridicolous and nobody liked her.

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#42

30 People From Low-Income Homes Explain The Things That Rich Kids Would Never Understand My bedroom is the living room of our trailer. I tied a rope from one wall to another and draped a blanket over it so I have somewhat of a wall.

RIP_Vladimir_Lenin , Jeff Stapleton Report

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Ann Dennis
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, the classic blanket wall! To this day, I do not barge through a hanging blanket.

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#43

When I was a kid, grabbing our clothes in the morning and dressing in front of the wood stove because it was the only warm spot in the house. In the summer, fans everywhere and all the windows open.

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Ann Dennis
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Putting my jammies on by the stove and warming up a blanket I'd carry upstairs with me into bed.

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#45

30 People From Low-Income Homes Explain The Things That Rich Kids Would Never Understand We used each others bathwater to save on the water bill for a long time.

stillnomad , mk. s Report

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Beta
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I did this too as a kid but I wasn’t poor my mom jus wanted to save water.

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#46

Being astounded that other people see not giving or buying gifts on christmas as inconsiderate, unthoughtful, or even just unnatural because growing up all you had was each other

Mcdonalds as a very special occasion

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Dana Ondráčková
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My older sisters worked mcd their whole young adult time. The ammount of toys I recieved was astounishing. Some were from display, some stolen, some found And I enjoyed each And every one. The memory of my sis opening door And showing me a crumpled mcd bag that jingled with plastic is one of my best memories

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#47

30 People From Low-Income Homes Explain The Things That Rich Kids Would Never Understand 'Glassware' that is actually novelty fast-food cups and mugs stolen from work.

scurvy_knave , franchise opportunities Report

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Ann Dennis
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My husband glommed onto my big plastic cup from the local convenience store and used it for 25 yrs. I kinda missed it, because I'd been using it for 5 yrs before he laid claim to it, They don't make 'em like that no more....husbands or cups either one! :)

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#48

If you grow up poor in a city then the odds are pretty high that you're going to grow up around a lot of different races so that means you see race and racism a lot differently than rich people, who tend to grow up in areas with other rich people who pretty much all look the same. Most people who grow up poor have a much more practical and realistic view of race, racism and class. And people who grew up poor are almost always going to relate more to other poor people, regardless of race, than they will to rich people of their same race. How many people who grew up poor and somehow managed to move to a wealthier area have had neighbors or acquaintances say or do something "questionable" and then had to figure out how to react to it without starting an unwinnable argument or fight?

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Wilf
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one explains how in the UK the areas where "immigration" is considered by people to be the most important political issue, are actually the areas with the lowest percentage of foreign-born people and the lowest levels of ethnic diversity. The people who think immigration is bad live in areas where there are no immigrants!

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#49

Days of hunger , parents crying and begging for help , being bullied and picked on in school , no hope , crippling depression , suicide and watching drugs consume people . If you make it out you turn boy to man very early and you’ll be strong in the heart and mind . I guess that is hope .

kenworth117 Report

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El muerto
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

when you become an adult at 13, and try to keep together while the world falls apart.

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#50

Hot showers. My wife grew up poor and told me stories of how her parents would collect snow in buckets and heat them on the stove so they could take a bath. She grew up in the mountains of Virginia. When she went to college in NYC she would turn on the hot water in the shower and just sit there for an hour.

CrusaderOfTruth Report

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Anonymous User
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thanks to my ex-husband's drug addiction. we went 6 months without a water heater. Cold showers SUCK. Heating up water on the stove to wash dishes? SUCKED. We even went to my parent's house to shower because it was horrible that winter.

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#51

Black mold on the bathroom ceiling and crusty faucets! Those cheap plastic shutter blinds that's always missing 2 to 4 panels. The plastic containers from lunch meat or sour cream being used as tupperware. Free calendars from the asian supermarket. Those note pads with the local real estate agent on them. Folded towels being used as a kitchen/bathroom mat.

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Tuna Fish
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This. I just remember everything in other peoples houses seemed pretty and complimented each other. At my house it was just a mixed up mash of old furniture and cheap accessories. To this day I am an expert at prettying things up with next to nothing (scarves for curtain valances and lamp covers etc.)

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#52

Laundry in the bathtub because you can’t afford to take it to the laundromat and you don’t have a washer/dryer because they’re too expensive and your tiny apartment has no hookups for them anyway.

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#53

Not sure I can exactly play here, but certainly there were points where perticularly my mum was struggling, (sole custody for a while then split custody, mum didn't work, dad worked, but was living off credit) However, I'm also incredibly fortunate, as I know others situations would have been much worse.

-Getting a donation box for Christmas of mostly tinned food and from that getting hair pins as my Christmas present. It's weird looking back on this, I remember being so excited, the box was even wrapped up.

-waiting for the free baked goods drop off. There was a spot we would go where local bakeries would drop off there left overs after close of business, first in best dressed, and we would just grab what ever

-when 'new' clothes are always op shop clothes or neighbor/friend hand me downs.

-the sheer guilt of asking for money, I quickly learned to just not ask, I ended up pretty young doing jobs for neighbors and earning money, so I wouldn't have to ask.

-when Christmas presents are cheap things you need, one year was a lunch box.

-white rice and tinned tomatoes for dinner, over and over and over. Also liking really weird cheap food combos.

-the shock of discovering the financial devide of yourself and other kids, and kids questioning this

-living in a refuge centre

-always getting second hand school uniforms, which are way too large and looks comical even 4years later.

Looking back on this, it's incredible as a kid, I didn't really understand what was going on when I was young, I just kinda dealt with it, it was just how life was.

In my later years as a teenager, I went to a private school, as things did change for financially, and it was a rude.. introduction to kids who had daddy's credit card and on a school trip would buy a $450 pair of jeans. I remember being floored that someone could carelessly throw that sort of money into a pair of jeans, (let alone spending someone else's money) when it could be better spent in many other ways, perticularly on the homeless people we had just passed...

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BusLady
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Go to Walmart and buy 30 pairs of jeans @ $15 each. Then give them to 30 people in need.

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#54

Grew up poor but lucky to be pretty bright. Where I grew up was pretty rough but everyone was in the same boat so it seemed normal.

I managed to get a junior brokers job in the City through a kind of gifted scheme and the rich kids I worked with thought a rough accent, state high school without college and a s**tty address equaled stupidity. Not every one of them but a lot thought the same if you didn’t know what type of clothes to wear or did not know how to order in a restaurant, that kind of bulls**t.

It was tough to suffer that at first but I quickly realised that it was an advantage to be underestimated.

It also formed my opinion that your financial background is much more of an important factor in having a nice life than race, religion or sexual preferences. I’d rather be a black gay Muslim with rich parents than anyone from a ghetto regardless of their race, sex or religion. The sad facts of life is that the vast majority of poor people are f**ked from the time they are born, and what’s really heartbreaking is that few of them realise how bad things are because they never experience the dignity of a life where you don’t go to bed every night worrying if you’re going to be kicked out of the place you’re staying tomorrow, or if you can send your kids to school with a sandwich.

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ForgotMyPWSendHelp
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Harsh but all true, although I will say that being a poor black guy Muslim is not going to be the same as being poor, white, straight, and Christian. Those things do matter.

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#55

I felt like a total [jerk] once.

I was visiting someone for coffee, and something spilled, so I was helping wipe it up. A single AA battery rolled toward me on the counter, and I asked if it needed to be someplace, and was told it went in a drawer. I opened the drawer, and there were several batteries, but none in packages. I said, "Damn, don't you hate it when you accidentally destroy the packaging getting a couple of batteries out, and then have to find a place to put them all?"

It turned out they didn't leave batteries in small devices. They just put them in to use the item, then took them back out and saved them to use in something else when needed.

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T.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One of my teacher once saud, that most of us students ise a luxury item: Canned electricity aka batteries. Having had financial trouble myself, I thought about that often during that time.

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#56

30 People From Low-Income Homes Explain The Things That Rich Kids Would Never Understand A space heater. Apparently some people have a thermostat that just makes their whole house warm.

lollzyax , Paul Minami Report

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Ann Dennis
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I keep the thermostat set low and carry around my little space heater to put where I'm working.

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#57

Obviously depends on the person, but clutter.

Rich people often have more space and more options for organizing their things out of sight. Poor people have fewer places to put things and often a harder time letting go of stuff because what if they need it later and can't afford a new one?

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Josy Bannon
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is why I dont quite like the "minimalist" living trend. Its a trend for wealthy people only who can afford anything anytime anyway

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#58

That thing in the kitchen. Where you store the things you might need but you never do. But you can't bring yourself to get rid of the stuff. And 1 plastic grocery bag stuffed full of other grocery balls.

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May
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I did not grow up poor - but we had this. I think most people did.

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#59

30 People From Low-Income Homes Explain The Things That Rich Kids Would Never Understand The drawer where you put the bills you have to pay but don't need to pay immediately to live. The drawer is only emptied after it won't close anymore because 16 duplicates have been received and said bill is no closer to getting paid.

prettychickenfinger , Drew Beamer Report

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#60

Several almost worn out pairs of cheap shoes.

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BusLady
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't buy expensive shoes but they have to be good shoes (no $400 heels-lol). They have to be comfortable and fit right. I grew up wearing ill-fitting cheap shoes so I have a lot of permanent foot problems. This is something most people don't think about. Children's feet are growing so they need proper-fitting shoes.

#61

Stop asking something (toy, clothes, vs) and hiding sadness about that

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Dana Ondráčková
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am 30 now and anytime I go shopping with my 70 yo mom And she wants to pay for my small item I always ask "mom can I?" pointing to my small item even tho we are both well to buy a dozen of those

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#62

Never going to birthday partys because your parents work 7 days a week so you can't get there and even if you could, you can't afford to give a birthday present or card so it's better to never attend social events and pretend you're busy with something else.

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zovjraar me
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i could never make any plans because as the oldest, i had to "babysit" my younger siblings while my mum worked.

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#63

Getting to stay home instead of school field trips because mom could never afford the ticket.Used to get excited about it until I realized why.

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hilary rudd
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My daughter didn't tell me about a school trip to Disney land her business class was going on because she knew I couldn't afford it! The only girl in her class that didn't go!

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#64

Free furniture. Mis-matched, chipped/broken...found on roadside, marked "Free."

Not enough chairs to seat the whole family for a meal. The folding chairs being in constant use.

Buying office chairs used for $15-20 bucks and making them last five years.

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ForgotMyPWSendHelp
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I will always buy or pick up used furniture. There's no reason perfectly good furniture should be going to landfill. We already waste enough.

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#65

Duct taping your shoes when the soles start falling off so they'll last a few more months.

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ZAPanda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We have a special type of glue you can get that re-attaches shoe soles. It's not unreasonably priced, cheaper than a new pair. Some poor kids sniff it to get high, so you generally have to ask for it over the counter in small shops.

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#66

Back when I was a kid....the needle nose pliers we changed the channel on the TV with. One kid would change the channel while the other (usually me) went outside whatever the weather to turn the antenna until the channel came in. Then my dad would decide to go back to the other show and we’d repeat the process.

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Thomas Biorogue
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Holy cow, this! So much this. And, we only had the 3 channels. I remember standing outside in the freezing cold, turning that damn antenna inch buy inch. "Now!?" No, a little more! "Now!?" No!

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#67

A junk drawer

...which is full of things that are almost garbage, but could still be useful maybe, one day. almost used up pens, almost dead batteries, plastic bags, the last of the tape, a pair of scissors with half its handle broken off but can still be used to cut maybe, a broken ruler, pencil sharpeners, old needles and old spools of thread you wont remember you even have when you want thread...you'll just go out and buy some more, countless paperclips, those paper binder things too, for some odd reason ear wax sticks, random cotton balls and bandages, rubberbands...single keys you have no clue open what...

what i do know about junk drawers is that you don't just go diving in looking for what you want. that's an easy way to get your finger pricked on some random thumbtack or rusty egde.

you respect the junk drawer. you push its items to the side, purposefully and considerately, until it decides to yield the item you were seeking.

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Ann Dennis
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like to start at the back of the junk drawer sometimes. Amazing what you can find back there.

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#68

A lot of unfinished 'renovations.

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#69

30 People From Low-Income Homes Explain The Things That Rich Kids Would Never Understand The Sauce Packet Drawer™! Got extra ketchup packets, Taco Bell hot sauce packets, soy sauce packets, etc.? Toss them in the Sauce Packet Drawer™!

ckuiper , Ben Ramirez Report

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ZAPanda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

we do this. The fridge is a better place for them because they do go rancid if you don't. What we also do is cut them open and merge them into one bottle.

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#70

30 People From Low-Income Homes Explain The Things That Rich Kids Would Never Understand Extension cord connected to another extension cord with a multiple power plug adapter with too many electronic devices connected to it.

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Jayne Kyra
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We have several extension cords in our flat because it has been built in the 50s, before the mere idea of owning electronic devices like today was more than a distant fantasy.

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#71

Putting all your food in the fridge because the cabinets are full of cockroaches and ants.

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Vonny
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

True, about apt. bldg. being infested. Sorry if anyone thought I didn't understand. Because I do. And when younger I had similar issues when living in apartments. Greedy, uncaring landlords/ladies and/or owners refused to eradicate pests. When we complained they evicted us. My little boy and I had to live outside, we didn't have a tent, either. But believe it or not, there were less bugs... Everyone I know has suffered through unspeakable hardships, myself included. So, sorry if my comment earlier sounded uncaring. I've fought ants with orange dish-soap ( when I didn't have $ for ant bait traps or sprays ) ants won't cross lines of the liquid soap. Roaches get stuck on the glue/sticky fly trap thingies. Inexpensive ones you hang by windows/doors. They work for roaches if you just lay them flat ( no hanging needed ). But if it's a bad infestation, you'd need a lot. They're super cheap at most dollar stores, if this helps anyone... State or government agencies need to be to be notified.

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#72

Being poor isn’t cool if you don’t have the option not to be. Going to bed hungry sucks ass. Wearing the same shoes in July as you do in January sucks ass. Watching your parents waste their lives away in dead end jobs to support their children is traumatic and painful. What was that song again, “you’ll never live like common people”

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Arctic Fox Lover
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I actually gotta disagree with that shoe one. I'm still a growing minor so I'm not just some adult whose foot size isn't changing any time soon, but I have had this same pair of shoes for almost 2 years now and still wear them whenever I go out. I did recently receive another pair of shoes from a friend a little while back, but it's literally the same size as the other pair. Both pairs of shoes have always fit me comfortably, never feeling too big or too small lol

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#73

A large chest freezer stuffed with frozen food from the bargain shop

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ZAPanda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Try: only buying dry goods (dried meat, dried cereals, rusks, etc.) because you don't need a fridge.

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#74

No towel is ever the same. Just random odd towels and face cloths.

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#75

Having to ration gas, many weekends of no road trips because I needed that gas. Or going to pump and only putting a gallon or two in.

Man, those were some rough times

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#76

Aunts, uncles and grandparents - all living together.

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#77

30 People From Low-Income Homes Explain The Things That Rich Kids Would Never Understand I used to do sleep for lunch. Because I’m high school some days I’d be there from 7:30 to 6:30 and counting leaving the house I actually was away from around 6:00am to 8:00pm.

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#78

Jury-rigged furniture--plywood and cinder blocks are super versatile. My personal favorite is the kitchen table that's actually a giant cable spool.

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#79

Family vacations were nonexistent.

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#80

A working TV on top of a broken, old floor console TV because the old one weighs 300 pounds.

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#81

Currently have a new coworker who grew up poor and is still struggling financially. It’s sad to see her face when food is brought to the office this time of the year. Really hurts my heart because you can see it all on her face

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#82

I do home inspections for low income homes.

“The Throne”

Generally an entirely unfinished basement with a lone installed toilet in the center or corner. No walls, sink,or anything around it. Bonus points if the concrete slab they pour for it allows you to touch the ceiling above you while sitting. Generally the water is not hooked up to it and the bowl has a drowned rat in it. I have used it once, found out the hard way that it doesn’t work

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#83

Wearing the same [stuff] to school almost every day.

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ZAPanda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We have school uniforms here to prevent this embarrasment for kids.

#84

Overdue bills.

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#85

A walmart bag full of walmart bags.

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#86

A pot with oil on the stove to reuse for later.

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#87

packets of disposable chopsticks in your cutlery drawer

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#88

A big rock we used one as a door stop when I was a kid

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#89

Multiple; uninsured, unregistered, uninspected, broken down cars that show no sign of restoration. Mismatching lawn furniture, front yard. An above ground pool. Several grills, smokers. A chain link fence around the property with a snarling rottweiler. A sign that says something about forget the guns, beware of owner on the front door. A bright red sticker from code enforcement stuck to the front window. A pink flamingo. Welcome to Florida.

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Casey McAlister
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't get this one. Lawn furntire. several grills, a rotweiller, a goddamn pool - how are those a sign of poverty?

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