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To learn more about how troubles with finances affect our wellbeing, we reached out to Vicky Reynal, a financial therapist and psychotherapist based in the UK. According to her, people experience money stress when they feel pressure "either from facing financial demands that we cannot meet and/or feeling we have little control over our finances."

She told Bored Panda that such stress can cause mental health problems or exacerbate existing ones. Also, it could even turn into anxiety or even depression. "It’s important to note that anyone — regardless of their wealth — might suffer from poor financial wellbeing and worry excessively about their financial situation, or not feel in control of it," Reynal said.

"However, people who have experienced financial losses, struggle with problem debt, or live in poverty are at greater risk to experience serious emotional distress from managing this type of stress."

"Can't Afford A Lot Of Food": 35 Times Delusional Bosses Got A Reality Check From Employees I had a similar situation occur with an employer. It ended differently, however.

Backstory: When I was in my early 20s, I was in an abusive marriage and finally left in 2015 after securing a new position at a dental office as a dental assistant. My boss approached me after a few months of employment, as he had noticed that I had lost a lot of weight and sat in my car during the lunch hour. I told him that I couldn’t afford mandated health insurance (at the time, it was ~$300 USD a month for the cheapest marketplace insurance I could find) AND groceries on my salary. He didn’t own the practice at the time, but he still spoke to the owner and got me enough of a raise to cover my health insurance, and he brought me meals from his own home to eat for dinner weekly (I’m pretty sure his wife was mixing in vegetables to make sure I was eating well, too). If I ever worked after 5 PM, I was always paid well and he’d buy food or bring Oreos for me to take home. He also convinced me to go back to school for my Bachelor’s degree and wrote me a wonderful letter of recommendation for my program.

It’s been years but it was probably one of the only times any employer has treated me like a human being, especially in that industry.

see_otter , engin akyurt Report

Final score:

495points

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Gay_Forg 2 years ago

He sounds wonderful

130points

"Can't Afford A Lot Of Food": 35 Times Delusional Bosses Got A Reality Check From Employees Spouse and I were working part-time in a poor area with a resort town nearby. I worked in a nice restaurant there and would bring food home, especially this fancy bread they had flown in from California & people would just leave in its basket to get thrown out. So I’d save any that clearly hadn’t been touched and take it home.

My manager caught me doing this (it wasn’t against the rules, just a little odd) and asked me seriously if we had enough to eat. I insisted that we did, which was mostly true, and she nodded and never said anything about it again.

But two weeks later, another server, about 20 years older than me with a good dual income, told me she’d won a radio contest and got $100 gift cards for “groceries for a year.” She didn’t really need them, she said, and gave me like $800 in grocery cards over the next few months. It genuinely helped us out and we were so psyched about our luck & her generosity.

I literally made the connection this month, about 15 years later, that most likely the manager/the restaurant (the chef was a great guy too) sprang for those gift cards and “tricked” us into accepting them, with the older server’s help. Really good people do exist, you just don’t always get to see them behind the scenes or recognize them right away.

ETA: Thank you for the award! I understand the point about how a raise would have been more helpful, but gift cards were better for my specific situation - likely more $$ total, given my very part-time hours, and I could buy groceries without feeling guilt over not paying more on my student loans. We made OK money for the area, but gas prices were sky high and we both had student debt.

The owner came up from being a busser (like I was) to a chef and he was a good guy. The manager was tough as nails and had her reputation as a hardass to maintain :)

Plus they kept everyone on even during winters when it was utterly dead … not something a lot of resort town restaurants were willing or able to do in 2008-2009.

andante528 , Erik Mclean Report

Final score:

360points

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LuckyNumbers 2 years ago

Aaaah the balm i didn't know I needed after the "horrible people" post.

115points

"As stated by the WHO, studies over 20 years have proven over and over the link between poverty and mental health issues. Common mental disorders are almost twice as frequent among the poor as among the rich (depression is almost twice as likely amongst the low-income groups of the population)," Reynal explained.

The financial therapist mentioned that money stress can have a damaging effect on both mental and physical health. "It is common knowledge that stress can cause us to feel tired, disrupt our sleep pattern, may cause headaches, stomach aches — the list goes on. Also, since our body produces hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline when we are stressed (which is an evolutionary response to threat), this overproduction may have detrimental long-term health effects."

Reynal added that our bodies might show signs of stress about money before our mind acknowledges it consciously. "It is actually the physical signs of stress that may alert us to an emotional struggle: loss of appetite, insomnia, muscle tension, constipation, headaches can be clues that we might need to attend to our thoughts and feelings."

"Can't Afford A Lot Of Food": 35 Times Delusional Bosses Got A Reality Check From Employees At my old job I used to eat ramen for lunch everyday. Accounting, HR, my manager all started to notice and make comments about it. So finally one day I said "you guys all know how much I make, right?" And they finally shut up.

No one eats ramen everyday because they like it or think it's a healthy choice.

Jenana86 , Christine Van Report

Final score:

263points

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Ninette 2 years ago

"No one eats ramen every day because they like it" So true! I used to work out how many days was left before payday then work out whether I can afford two or three meals of ramen until I get paid again.

90points

"Can't Afford A Lot Of Food": 35 Times Delusional Bosses Got A Reality Check From Employees When my family and I looked at old photos of me my sister asked "you were so skinny, what happened?" I reminded her that I was homeless when those pictures were taken.

Some silence is more golden than others.

siyahlater , Tim Mossholder Report

Final score:

251points

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dream of delusion 2 years ago

bruh….

42points

"Can't Afford A Lot Of Food": 35 Times Delusional Bosses Got A Reality Check From Employees When I was working as a gardener, I was putting in a lot of hours as the scale of the operation was not small. When I sent my final invoice to my employer, breaking down my hours and pay, he was beside himself.

“This isn’t correct, it says here you only make $x an hour. NO one works for that little.”

“That number is what rate you are paying me for the hours that were required to do the work.”

He was just silent.

I suggested that if he liked my work he could give me a raise.

Guess what he didn’t do?

PrncssHowl , jared Muller Report

Final score:

237points

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Lovin' Life 2 years ago

A*****e

95points

The rising cost of living creates worries that drag consumer confidence. Seeing prices getting higher at every turn might make people believe their finances will only get worse. However, there are some steps we can take if we want to control money stress.

Reynal came up with an acronym to remember six things we can do to help ourselves manage the thoughts and emotions we get from financial stress — CALMER.

Change what is within your control. Many of us have the opportunity to change our financial reality by adjusting things we have power over. The financial therapist mentioned some practical things like "budgeting your expenses, or creating an emergency fund as a safety net may go a long way in helping you feel that you have more control over the uncertainties ahead."

Hah, I worked a job that we would usually pick up the roughest individuals available anyone has ever seen. It was super common that they wouldnt really look human again until they got their first paycheck.

On their first night, id have the cook make some food. Under the table style and feed the new hire a good meal. The first one for them in I could only imagine how long.

I did it because I know what its like to be at rock bottom, working a job for two weeks before even getting some cash to get a decent meal in my belly. That sucks.

Not to write a novel, im always reminded about the accounts of folks in Russia just after WW2. They describe being so hungry that they cant even think right and I sternly believe that the first steps of liberating the people is to feed them so they can at least think for themselves without being blinded by hunger or worry about where the next meal is coming from.

Addition- I wish I could give these updoots to the cook that actually made the food for these dudes. She was really cool and it wouldnt have been possible without her.

BobsRealReddit Report

Final score:

213points

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Nilsen 2 years ago

Soup, soap and salvation. You may agree or disagree with the salvation part, but the Salvation Army are right in thinking that you can't change or develop unless your basic human needs for food (and shelter) and human dignity are met.

112points

Material-Note9470 · , LinkedIn Sales Solutions Report

"Can't Afford A Lot Of Food": 35 Times Delusional Bosses Got A Reality Check From Employees Had a boss say “damn slim you need to pack on some pounds if you’re gonna work for me” I looked that f*cker dead in the eye and replied “give me a raise and I’ll eat more ya fat f*ck” I was fired the next week.

Final score:

204points

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Daniel Mattock 2 years ago

Yeah calling your boss a fat f**k is not the best idea. Even if it’s true

175points

"Can't Afford A Lot Of Food": 35 Times Delusional Bosses Got A Reality Check From Employees Had to have a conversation with my last manager when my coworker was biking several miles to work and was donating plasma to afford groceries, then her protein levels were too low to be able to donate. The manger and company did not give a single f*ck and sent us all links for budgeting training. The most sickening part is that it was an insanely profitable business that became even more profitable during Covid.

lydriseabove , Nguyễn Hiệp Report

Final score:

179points

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gloria benado 2 years ago

Good'ol USA

73points

"There are actions you could think about in terms of creating extra sources of income, cutting some unnecessary expenses, re-evaluating your service providers to see if you can get better deals. Even better practices around food shopping or cooking instead of takeaway can have a positive impact on the bank balance. Check also to see if you qualify for any financial support schemes."

To manage money stress, you should also try to Accept the things that aren’t in your control. "It is not easy, but to address a lot of the over-thinking and unproductive worrying that can take over our thoughts, we have to accept that certain things are not under our control. The challenge is then to let those things go and focus our attention on what we can do to help our financial situation and our mental wellbeing."

#10

"Can't Afford A Lot Of Food": 35 Times Delusional Bosses Got A Reality Check From Employees Reminds me of when my manager at the last restaurant asked me why I didn’t just make lunch and take a break if I was so hungry. I looked him in his stupid little face and said “you and I both know I can’t afford to eat here” And that was the end of that conversation.

FinkBass420 , Helena Lopes Report

Final score:

168points

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De Gueb 2 years ago

If you work at a restaurant and don't get fed it's sick. Not saying they give you the expensive food but some meat, carbs and veggies surly!! All the places I've worked at we had food included within reason. I worked at a club and the owner had 3 hotels, we had a free pass to eat in the staff dinner any time. There food from 06h00 till 01h00 so we could go any time.

116points

#11

"Can't Afford A Lot Of Food": 35 Times Delusional Bosses Got A Reality Check From Employees I remember being super broke when I was 19 and I’d do some lightweight product testing for extra cash. I lived near a lot of medical testing facilities in Philadelphia. I walked over to Glaxo smith Klein to sign up for whatever they got. They weighed me and turned me away cus I was under weight. The folks there looked at me really concerned and sent me away with some granola bars and a cranberry juice. I didn’t really think about before that.

antisara , Amplitude Magazin Report

Final score:

167points

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Lovin' Life 2 years ago

It's sad when people have to do such things just to eat. Foos should never be a luxury.

76points

#12

"Can't Afford A Lot Of Food": 35 Times Delusional Bosses Got A Reality Check From Employees Something similar happened to me one summer when I was working at an opera company. I blacked out in the middle of work. Nobody came to check on me. Then I heard them chuckling and they walked over to me saying "maybe if you didn't only eat Ramen and mac and cheese for every meal this wouldn't happen". As they left for lunch and I was expected to stay and work through my meal. Like... are you kidding me....

sleeping-ackerman Report

Final score:

156points

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TyrantrumGogoat 2 years ago

How can you laugh at someone blacking out??!?

98points

Reynal also urges you to remember to Look after yourself and don't let your mental and physical health deteriorate:

Tune into your body and spot the signs of stress
If you have ideas of activities that make you feel happy, try to engage more in these
Avoid unhealthy habits
Practice things like yoga, meditation, mindfulness — you won’t know if these work for you until you have tried them
Exercise — daily exercise has been proven to have physical and mental health benefits
Don’t isolate yourself — keep connections with others alive

#13

"Can't Afford A Lot Of Food": 35 Times Delusional Bosses Got A Reality Check From Employees Let me see check my note cards here...

"Have you tried cutting out Starbucks?"

unclejoe1917 , Niels Kehl Report

Final score:

155points

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Monday 2 years ago

Oh don't be silly, we all know the way to end poverty is to get Hulu with ads.

80points

Gay_Forg 2 years ago

And to not get YouTube premium

11points

Michael Perry 2 years ago

Starbucks is the joke, but those little things make a difference. An employer added a coffe machine, provided grounds, and a tiny kitchen. For me, that was 10% less expense. They almost took it out because a couple people complained that they wanted coffee delivered to them.

3points

MagentaBlu 2 years ago

Won't nail it. We don't have Starbucks in my country

3points

Kelly Hartle 2 years ago

"Have YOU tried not being so ignorant?"

2points

Pamda Panda 2 years ago

And no more avocado toast.

2points

Poultry Geist 2 years ago

I quit drinking Starbucks ! I’m still broke! 😂😂actually when I was drinking it I would work multiple jobs. But drinking it jacked me up enough to power through !

2points

GramDB 2 years ago

Good idea! There's better coffee for much less everywhere else … on make instant "StarBucks' at home! You'll save a fortune!

1point

Lena Flising 8 months ago

I'd guess that the answer to that question would be "I haven't visited Starbucks in months".

0points

Cherreka Wirth 2 years ago

I don't get this. I'm not trying to be mean, but Starbucks is like $7. If you are spending $7 a day on Starbucks, that's $49 a week. That's enough for cheap groceries. Not the best I'll admit, but beans and rice, bread, peanut butter, and some canned veggies. So yes not drinking Starbucks every day would definitely help.

0points

acrunchycaptain , Joseph Albanese Report

#14

"Can't Afford A Lot Of Food": 35 Times Delusional Bosses Got A Reality Check From Employees The owner of the restaurant I work for (who is also the Wife of the Mayor) found out I was living with my wife in a tiny 1 bedroom suite.

She asked me why, and said she thought I was living in a pretty nice building. I told her straight to her face "you've seen my paychecks"

Final score:

154points

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June 2 years ago

I work full time as a programmer and live in a zero bedroom studio. My manager asked me why I rent such a small place. Holly s**t man, you know my salary, you know that's what I can afford...

77points

Lovely_Louise , Sharon McCutcheon Report

#15

"Can't Afford A Lot Of Food": 35 Times Delusional Bosses Got A Reality Check From Employees The best was the time my boss asked why I was so stressed, and I explained my expenses were more than he paid me, and with some repairs needed I was not sure how to make my ends meet, worse than usual. Man looked me in the eyes, and offered to be a reference for a "weekend job", since he always gave me the same days off, so it would be "easy" to find one. He knew I was four months into searching for a job that would hire me for just those days. I then got a bootstraps lecture about how I "didn't know poor". Man was two years older than me, had 1/2 my expenses, earned more, and was part of a DINK household. I was relying on foodbanks

Final score:

150points

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Ogre Juan Canolli 2 years ago

*sshole

86points

The next thing in the acronym is Money time. "When money worries become hard to manage, I have seen people adopt one of two coping mechanisms: avoiding the subject altogether or over-thinking. Neither are helpful," Reynal explained.

If you find yourself on either end of this spectrum, she advised you to "set out a specific time when you are going to attend to your finances. It will free up some space in the mind of the anxious balance-checker and it will encourage the avoiders to face the reality of their situation so they can be in a better place to address it."

Suffering in silence can be harmful, so you should Express your worries out loud. "Talking about your concerns can go a long way. Look for a trusted other who you have found supportive in the past," Reynal said. "You might find your worries are shared by others and that you get a sense of relief and release by talking about them."

#16

A higher up at a previous job came down to the bullpen of entry level workers to talk and ended up talking about how his new BMW wasn't as good as his previous one. I waited a beat and said, "I ate three spoonfuls of peanut butter for dinner last night."

I was eventually fired from that job.

dkinmn Report

Final score:

149points

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TyrantrumGogoat 2 years ago

Fired? For what! SUE!

37points

#17

"Can't Afford A Lot Of Food": 35 Times Delusional Bosses Got A Reality Check From Employees My boss asked me once if I was exercising a lot to lose weight - I answered him "No, it's just stress and poverty."

He just replied "Keep it up! You're looking good."

Glum-Rip-6345 , Jennifer Burk Report

Final score:

147points

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Monday 2 years ago

He might have thought you were joking. It's the type of joke I would make.

74points

aferretwithahugec*ck Report

#18

I wore the same clothes to work twice in a row once(I change into my work clothes at work) and my boss asked with a snicker if laundry is too expensive. It is. Pay me more.

Final score:

131points

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Kanzi 2 years ago

Insensitive jerk. If you won't help, just shut up

66points

The last thing to remember from this list — Reality check. "Sometimes stress can be exacerbated when we create unrealistic (or low probability) scenarios in our minds that cause us further worry. It’s called catastrophizing, and it is unhelpful. It’s worth asking yourself what is the likelihood of the scenario in your mind you are so scared about?"

After all, every single one of us wants to feel safe in our everyday lives — it's a basic human need. "Our safety being at risk can be traumatizing," Reynal added. "A life that feels more like survival than existence can bring people to a dark place in their minds, to places of stuck-ness and hopelessness." So if you ever notice that the world is becoming a bit much for you, just remember Reynal's acronym CALMER and try to flip your situation around.

#19

"Can't Afford A Lot Of Food": 35 Times Delusional Bosses Got A Reality Check From Employees I’ve had to start only eating one meal a day, maybe small snacks in between. I only have snacks for the first few days or week after my food bank run though. Last time the lady was really nice, we get to pick one cracker and one cookie, and since she couldn’t decide if teddy grahams were cookies or crackers I got to take two bags. So whoever donated like a dozen bags of teddy grahams… thank you

Lady_Pendleton , Estera Nicoi Report

Final score:

123points

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MagentaBlu 2 years ago (edited)

Since lockdown we can only afford one meal a day. Mostly rice, bone soup with carrots and cabage and more rice. Hot coffee or tea twice a week tops. Without sugar. One 30 oz loaf of bread each day. An ocassional apple or banana. I'm always hungry, but the only meal we eat daily is not that big, and somehow I managed to gain more than 30 pounds and do not know why. Neither know how to loose all that weight since I'm only bearily eating one meal a day... seems I really would have to starve for real if I want to be on shape. It doasn' t have any sense at all

36points

#20

"Can't Afford A Lot Of Food": 35 Times Delusional Bosses Got A Reality Check From Employees I confessed once that the stress of my toxic a** work environment made me literally vomit. My boss asked me why I kept coming in. He was shocked when I said I had bills to pay

HedgeWitch1994 , Simran Sood Report

Final score:

119points

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NsG 2 years ago

I don't think anyone is naive enough to think people don't have bills to pay. It's probably more shock that you "chose" to stay just because you have bills to pay instead of going somewhere else.

43points

testtubemuppetbaby Report

#21

When I was a smoker, I would buy a pack to replace food because killing my appetite with cigarettes was less expensive than eating.

Final score:

116points

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Sheila Stamey 2 years ago

It's why I quit fifteen years ago. Geez like.. Now that I'm thinking about it... exactly fifteen almost. Thanks Danny for the help. I know y'all don't know who that is but God sent me a person who helped me in many ways. I lost him in January. He helped me kick a fierce smoking habit. Miss you buddy ...

65points

#22

"Can't Afford A Lot Of Food": 35 Times Delusional Bosses Got A Reality Check From Employees My husband and I used to say this about vacations. “You should take a vacation!” “I don’t make enough to take a vacation anywhere.”

PHM517 , Ezequiel Garrido Report

Final score:

114points

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rspanther 2 years ago

Can barely afford to stay home during vacation let alone travel.

68points

#23

"Can't Afford A Lot Of Food": 35 Times Delusional Bosses Got A Reality Check From Employees Feeling that. One of my managers recently discovered I don't eat breakfast. He asked why and I was like "because I can only afford to eat a package of sidekicks once a day and I find it better to eat just before bed so I'm not hungry the next day"

[deleted] , Nathan Dumlao Report

Final score:

112points

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Kanzi 2 years ago

Why do they asked if they have no intention of helping?

52points

#24

"Can't Afford A Lot Of Food": 35 Times Delusional Bosses Got A Reality Check From Employees I used to work at an ad agency that handled some luxury brands. We had a client who had some ridiculously expensive candles, like small candles going for $70 US and its not one of the big 3 wick ones.

In the middle of the meeting the client asks me if i ever bought a candle from their store. I told them i would once my boss (who was present at the meeting) would pay me more as i cant afford to put $70 on a candle.

Needless to say my boss was not happy and i got called in for a meeting after, with him telling me i should be saying this to the client. I told him i wont lie about being able to afford those candles.

krustmachine , Bannon Morrissy Report

Final score:

109points

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Jo Choto 2 years ago

Yeah, you really shouldn't do that kind of thing in a professional meeting. It would just be appropriate to say that those products were outside of your budget, end of story.

70points

Dutch Swimmer Goes Viral For Super Revealing Trunks During 2024 Olympics: “Is This Legal?”

See Also on Bored Panda

Thrill-Seeking Diver Jumps Down Extreme Waterslide, Ignoring The Strict Ban For Women

#25

"Can't Afford A Lot Of Food": 35 Times Delusional Bosses Got A Reality Check From Employees When I was unemployed for a while I realized that it wasn't the lack of money that was keeping me skinny, it was the lack of free time. I would barely eat and exercise because I was so busy working. Then when I did have free time I wanted to spend it on something fun and not the essentials to live, even though it's not very logical. I mostly would just snack to get by until dinner when I could actually make something. Meanwhile while unemployed I gained about 20 pounds of muscle because I had enough time to cook and exercise.

It's crazy how much time jobs take from you, and how it affects all of the rest of your time as well, even if you're off the clock.

Rc2124 , Vitaliy Rigalovsky Report

Final score:

102points

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Gwyn 2 years ago (edited)

It makes sense, everyone needs to have joyful things in their lives.

24points

#26

I lost +10 kg in the last year and a half. Why? Retail + 10.000 steps in less than 6h in the store. No breaks, + 15 minutes of commuting from railroad station to the place.

And my family thought I was addicted to cocaine.

No, I’m just being exploted

wiseaufanclub Report

Final score:

101points

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Beth L 2 years ago

Skinniest I ever was was when my job was 10-14 miles of outdoor, off road hiking per week, and my lunch budget was a 24-oz pepsi. Not the *healthiest* I ever was, but certainly the skinniest.

25points

Woman Put A Water Fountain With A Camera In Her Yard, Here Are 24 Photos Of Regular Visitors (New Pics)

See Also on Bored Panda

“Ma’am I Live Here”: Woman Refuses To Back Out Of Driveway, Learns A Lesson The Hard Way

#27

"Can't Afford A Lot Of Food": 35 Times Delusional Bosses Got A Reality Check From Employees Once I got complimented on a top I was wearing that I got for $2 at goodwill. It was the CEO’s assistant and I said “thanks I shop at goodwill and found this for $2.00.” The conversation ended quickly and awkwardly.

beedexmitts , jonathan Borba Report

Final score:

98points

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Kanzi 2 years ago

My sister in law once complained about a lady at her job for telling her that she shops at Goodwill. It made her uncomfortable. Imagine being so out of touch with reality that poor people make you uncomfortable

96points

#28

"Can't Afford A Lot Of Food": 35 Times Delusional Bosses Got A Reality Check From Employees Earlier this year, someone I was working with sent me a link to a plasma donation center they were going to. They were doing bonuses for new people so you got a bunch of extra money for donating, like over $1k for eight donations. I didn't meet the weight requirement for donating and I really needed the money. :(

MourningMimosa , Nguyễn Hiệp Report

Final score:

88points

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dream of delusion 2 years ago

oh, no :c

18points

#29

"Can't Afford A Lot Of Food": 35 Times Delusional Bosses Got A Reality Check From Employees Reminds me of a similar exchange I had years back with a coworker:

Her: "I hate the tax season. I always have to send the government money. I've tried changing my allowances but I always owe some money. What about you, do you have to pay back taxes when you file?"

Me: "No, I usually get a check back. Most of the time it's a couple hundred dollars."

H: "Wow, how do you manage that?"

M: "It because I'm paid at just barely above the poverty level. So I'll get back most of the federal income taxes that I pay during the year."

And for those of you wondering, Yes I did try increasing my allowances one year so that I kept more of my money but then I ended up owing the IRS something like $200 when I filed for that year. So I changed it back to my usual allowance.

ButteMTMan , TheStandingDesk Report

Final score:

87points

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Kimi Tomminello 2 years ago

The American tax system is so freaking messed up it's not even funny

95points

50 Of The Most Incredible Shots That Were Submitted To The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

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French Diver’s “Jewels” In Tight Swimming Trunks Become Talk Of The Town At Olympics

#30

"Can't Afford A Lot Of Food": 35 Times Delusional Bosses Got A Reality Check From Employees I also had a manager frequently comment on my low weight (called me "twiggy") when I worked retail. I was skipping meals because college isn't going to pay for itself in the US.

lahrun , iam_os Report

Final score:

86points

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PandaRave 2 years ago

Aw, this is missing the moment where you tell your boss that it’s because you’re not paid enough. Now it’s just sad.

16points

#31

....... I just realised my shy coworker who doesnt take a lunchbrake because she's "not hungry on lunchtime" and "like this I can come home earlier" my not just have a small appetite

square_tek Report

Final score:

86points

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Snorkeldorf 2 years ago

Did this many years ago. Started a new job with great co workers who immediately invited me to go out to lunch with them. I had to decline. Fortunately they kept asking periodically and one day I was able to say "Yes! I'd love to go". We talked and they didn't understand why I wouldn't go out with them before and why I just sat at my desk drinking coffee during lunch hour. I was finally able to explain I had to wait until I got my first paycheck to be able to go and eat lunch. They felt terrible and said I should have told them, they would have bought me lunch. They were wonderful, wonderful people.

86points

#32

"Can't Afford A Lot Of Food": 35 Times Delusional Bosses Got A Reality Check From Employees Yup, I work ft and make what is considered a "decent" wage. And the only way we eat is the once a week trips to the food bank.

MyspaceQueen333 , Donna Spearman Report

Final score:

84points

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NsG 2 years ago

I'm really having trouble wrapping my head around this. A decent wage shouldn't mean food banks. It's not decent if you cannot afford to feed yourself and your family. Who is defining decent in this case?

92points

Woman Moves Out Of Parents' Home After They Asked Her To Give Her Space To Brother, They Freak Out

#33

I once had a boss asking me why I wasn’t considering homeownership. I wanted to yell “you know what you pay me, right?”

mac117 Report

Final score:

81points

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Jo Choto 2 years ago

I remember when a woman from my head office told me I really should go to her hairdresser in New York (we lived near Washington DC, so we're talking about a plane or many hours of driving) because they were so good and under $500. I looked at her googly-eyed for a good while and then said, "Jaynie, I'm a single parent, and I work two part-time jobs to supplement this one so we can survive. I do my own hair for a reason." She actually had the nerve to look surprised, despite being the one that sent out the paychecks.

63points

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Mom Leaves $250k Inheritance To Son, Throws A Fit When Daughter Stops Looking After Her

#34

I remember one of my bosses being surprised to find out I had a second job (this was decades ago). Like yeah, you don't pay me enough to afford rent and a car payment.

Sgt_Smitty Report

Final score:

78points

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Claire Stanfield 2 years ago

"What could a banana cost, Michael? Ten dollars?"

36points

#35

"Can't Afford A Lot Of Food": 35 Times Delusional Bosses Got A Reality Check From Employees Ok so I’m a professional career Nanny - been working with a family for about 3 years. They have never given me a raise. tell me why I directly said to my employer (I’ve now gone part time with them) ok … for reference Mom is a Nurse Practitioner at a BIG hospital dad is an orthopedic dentist with his own practice - so the income is there (they’ve had round the clock help w their kids since youngest was born) anyways …. The other day I asked her for like three extra hours for the week so I could make rent. in passing said , you know I’m working 2 part times now … 48 hours a week, and it’s still coming down to me having to pay rent or buy groceries for the week. She said “can I make your dinner once a week?!” I literally did not even respond to the message. Wtf lmfao . For reference they pay me $19 an hour . I have been with their family for years. Rich people are so blind.

Missmolly102 , Adam Nieścioruk Report

Final score:

61points

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Mushroomlover 2 years ago

Umm, I make $8 an hour and because my daughter receives a little bit of disability income that puts me out of the running for food stamps. I eat once a day sometimes once every 2 days so that my 2 daughters can eat 3 times a day. If I made $19 an hour I would be golden

49points

Woman Refuses To Chip In For Babysitting Because She Doesn’t Even Have Kids, Asks If She’s A Jerk

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#36

"Can't Afford A Lot Of Food": 35 Times Delusional Bosses Got A Reality Check From Employees Reminds me of a boss I once had who got angry at me for taking a staycation and not going to “Disney or something”. He really didn’t understand how I couldn’t afford a real vacation on a 40K salary. Same guy refused to match an offer when I left.

thedkexperience , Christian Erfurt Report

Final score:

28points

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Jo Choto 2 years ago

I guess these $40k is not enough must live in Los Angeles or New York, because everywhere else in the country, you would be ok.

-3points

#37

That reminds me of an old coworker. He was THE company accountant, and still lived at home. I am assuming he made at least twice what I made while not paying rent. Because of this he could regularly afford tropical vacations.

He once lectured me about financial literacy, and how anyone can achieve any financial goal if they budget properly and make sacrifices.

I had no home internet, I was walking an hour to and from work to save transportation costs, packing bagged lunches of lentils and rice, stealing company toilet paper, had a budget of $0 for discretionary spending, etc etc etc - and he had the gall to try and lecture me on this.

Oh and I guess one thing I had not considered before, is he f*ckin’ knew how much money I was making at the time since he did payroll.

Cat_throwaway1347 Report

Final score:

27points

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Hobby Hopper 2 years ago

People with the lowest incomes are often the most money savvy. They have to be.

9points

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#38

"Can't Afford A Lot Of Food": 35 Times Delusional Bosses Got A Reality Check From Employees The most effective diet i was ever on I affectionately refer to as the "I can't afford to eat" diet. White bread toast w/butter and Ramen noodles for a few months will really help shed the lbs!

trippin113 , Yukiko Kanada Report

Final score:

25points

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Sareaesque 2 years ago (edited)

yup, most weight I lost in one go was 1-2 stone in less than a month when I lost my last job and wanted to make sure I could pay my bills and look after my cats for the next few months so I was living on half a jacket potato and a packet of cup-a-soup a day. Thankfully I only needed to job-hunt for a week before finding a better job because my letting agency said they would kick me out if I didn't have another job by the end of the month.

7points

#39

Food prices are so high. I swear milk is more expensive these days. It’s easier to eat once a day and saves money.

crawlingrat Report

Final score:

24points

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Bexx 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦 2 years ago (edited)

Amen! My coworker is trying to get me to try one of those meal delivery kit subscriptions, “it’s only like $3-7 a meal!” Like girl your heart is in the right place but I’m very aware of my budget and honestly have to aim for $.50-$3 a meal, I can’t afford it! (Edit: these are CAD prices)

3points

#40

Imagine not understanding how expensive food is today.

AbaloneSea7265 Report

Final score:

24points

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Sheila Stamey 2 years ago

And if you have kids...ooo boy Even with f food stamps.

9points

millennium-popsicle , Louis Hansel Report

#41

"Can't Afford A Lot Of Food": 35 Times Delusional Bosses Got A Reality Check From Employees When I worked at a restaurant I gained 20lbs stuffing my face there. And I’d steal lots of groceries from them. 12/hr isn’t gonna cut it anywhere when rent is 1200/mo.

Final score:

21points

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DandiPandi 2 years ago

Not condoning stealing, but I fully support not starving to death

3points

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#42

Recently my boss asked me “wow those Doc Martens are cool!” and as I walked by I laughed and said “hahah, I can’t afford real shoes, these are from Spendless”. And then got in my car. Mate you know you don’t pay me enough to have quality things in my life.

pardonmemadamf*ckoff Report

Final score:

21points

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Wednesday 2 years ago

I used to have a pair of Doc's - that I bought at a garage sale, quite nicely broken in, for a dollar...

1point

#43

Eggs, noodles and pasta is what's keeping me afloat atm

bentekik Report

Final score:

19points

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Hobby Hopper 2 years ago

Eggs are such a great protein option! Inexpensive, satisfying, and good for you! They're potentially animal friendly (depending on how they're farmed), last for a long time at room temperature (assuming they haven't been washed, per US regulations), and they come conveniently packaged right from nature. It's like those little protein bombs are begging to be eaten. But (!), make sure to eat some greens too, or at least something high in fiber.

6points

#44

It’s always between gas or food

spacetraveler12 Report

Final score:

19points

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MagentaBlu 2 years ago

That sucks.

3points

#45

You can try getting a rotisserie chicken and a box of mixed veggies. That usually lasts me a few days and is healthier. Not to mention gives you a break from having to cook.

littleninja09 Report

Final score:

12points

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M O'Connell 2 years ago

The grocery store rotisserie chicken is definitely underrated when it comes to value. A whole chicken already cooked, hot and ready for you for $7 is a great deal.

7points

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What do you think ?

POST

Mr. Jones 2 years ago

When I got out of the Army in 91, I moved to Chicago. I got out early due to budget cuts after Desert Storm and only had a month to figure out my next move. I was a small town boy, but I wanted to live in a big city. I was not prepared for how expensive it would be. I got a job working in a college service center and my boss was a friend of my Aunt. He was a great guy to work for. I was so poor. I always managed to save enough money for rent and public transportation. Food was a luxury. I could make a box of mac n cheese last three days. I never ate lunch because I never wanted him to see how poor I was. He had no control over my low pay. Out of the blue he started sharing his overpacked lunch with me. Said his wife always made too much food. I didn't figure out until after I left that he was feeding me because he knew I was that poor. He started bringing me left overs and I found out those were meals made specifically for me by his wife. They saw me as one of their kids. Angels.

36points

Kanzi 2 years ago

Can we all agree that commenting on someone's weight or eating habits is off limits unless you have plans to help with whatever their situations may be. Making the person aware that you can see or tell something is wrong is just adding more pain to their already bad situation.

19points

BakedKahuna 2 years ago

I feel so sorry for people in the US. Working multiple jobs or having to go to the food bank with a full time job doesn't sound healthy. I guess life isn't too easy either in Germany for those who earn minimum wage. But at least there is the possibility to get some extra money from the government if you drop below a certain income. AND we don't have to start into life with ridiculously high college debts.

16points

CL Rowan 2 years ago

The expectation is to pull ourselves up from our bootstraps. What do you do when those straps were eaten?

1point

Lisa Watson 2 years ago

Had a trunk full of stuff I was going to add to the food drive bin at work. Asked a coworker if they were donating that year. He said that with his roommate out of work he could barely afford food. Took him back to my car, popped the trunk and told him to take whatever he wanted. He took most of it. Later told me they ate off of it for close to 3 months. I was going to donate it anyway, just considered it a direct donation at that point. I was doing a lot of couponing back then and liked to donate the stuff I was getting for pennies to people in need.

7points

CL Rowan 2 years ago

Thank you!

0points

Dave P 2 years ago

I knew someone growing up the family ate pasta, potatoes or rice for dinner 7 nights a week, and used the cheap cheese, chicken, and other items covered by food stamps. The kids were very well fed from a caloric and nutritional intake perspective. The parents just bought the cheapest things they could get, used max govt benefits, and economized.

7points

CL Rowan 2 years ago

And now they have type 2 diabetes with all the combined comorbidities.

0points

Jo Choto 2 years ago

I remember losing a lot of weight because of poverty and an older friend eventually approached me and asked if I had enough to eat. I told her I was smoking instead of eating because it was cheaper. She showed up one day with mega boxes of food and cash. Told me I was never to go hungry again while she was alive. Things got better for me. So when my work friend's partner threw her out and she was homeless, I let her live in the house I was trying to sell for free for several months till she was back on her feet. Things got better for her. She helped a number of people out during Covid with housing and cash. Keep paying it forward when you can.

6points

Erin Mandrusiak 2 years ago (edited)

Yes yes and more yes. There have been multiple times in my life where if I was at an event or somewhere with free food (like a funeral) I'd literally keep sneaking food and sometimes put stuff in my pockets for later. I've also striaght up stolen toilet paper from various jobs before because it was something I just couldn't afford sometimes. I've also gone to bed for dinner on multiple occasions, still to this day sometimes. And let's not forget my personal favorite 'i can afford bread or milk, not both'

3points

MzFitz1215 2 years ago

This actually brought me to tears, I'll never forget those days myself. My family made fun of me for years because of my toilet paper "hoard" when Covid hit they stopped because we didn't have to buy toilet paper for almost 2 years. I have stockpiles of stuff because never again will I have to decide between Ramen or toilet paper.

1point

Matt Lemay 2 years ago

I lived on a bag of potatoes a week when I first lived on my own. $9/hour doesn't go far after rent and car payment(which I needed to get to and from work).

2points

Remy 2 years ago

Imagine thinking you come off good in any of these stories?

2points

Eds 2 years ago

I have only recently realized that the reason my single mother was so thin in her early 40s was because she was making sure I, a small chd at the time, had plenty to eat and she was not eating enough herself. I knew my clothes were hand-me-downs, and other things were tight. But for some reason the food thing never occurred to me until recently. As a young adult I did have times where I survive off the $0.99 breadstix or chips and salsa ar work. Thankfully, I'm in a much better place financially now, but my own children being picky eaters drives me batty.

1point

CL Rowan 2 years ago

Picky disappears when you're hungry enough.

0points

Trevor Nicholson 2 years ago

This whole article reminds me of how my last job didn't give any of us hourly workers a raise during the first year of the pandemic, gave me a glowing performance review for my hardwork and dedication after the second year of pandemic (meaning 2021, and it's not a job that can be worked from home, we were closed for 6 months because of lockdown) and they decided the best way to show their appreciation for us was to give us all a $1/hour raise. Like ok, they treated us a lot better than they had to and it's not nothing, but $1/hour after nothing the year before and barely anything the year before that (because of a separate issue that caused us to be closed) isn't much, especially when management, who spends most if not all of their time in the office and actually is able to work from home, they got raises and one even got a promotion. Like, you have the money, you just don't want to give it to us. Oh I'm sorry I broke covid protocols for using the office microwave.

1point

Trevor Nicholson 2 years ago

They gave us our own microwave but just put it on top of the lockers where I, the only man, was even able to reach and they never even plugged it in. And much later I found out they were outraged when I took the new girl in to the office to heat up her lunch because "Oh I should have told them" like nah. God, this is just reminding me of all the reasons I left that job and moved away, and I am grateful for my budding nostalgia to once again be killed.

1point

MARS 2 years ago

I worked fast food for a few years in between high school and college, there were times that all we ate were the sandwiches from my job and Ramen. I didn't have a lot of money and my boss knew it, so he didn't care when I would take home a full size sandwich or two and some chips.

1point

Lara Verne 2 years ago

I am not rich, but I can't imagine only being able to afford one meal a day.

1point

Mike Beck 2 years ago

Been there. One loaf of bread, one stick of butter, small pack of American "cheese", two small cans of tuna, one box tuna helper and a small container of milk. For several months, that's what two of us survived on per week. The butter and cheese were used to reheat the helper every night and we'd have a sandwich of it. It was hardly the end of the world but I hope you never experience it.

1point

A Jones 2 years ago

"If I stay late at work, I could get overtime and worry less about utility payments at home." Some thing that had actually crossed my mind this morning. I'm also getting sick of being pressured to drive at work. Like have you seen my pay? And I have to pay student loans too. I have to take a bus every day and walk a few miles to work (it's safer).

1point

Livingwithcfs 1 year ago

When I was at university I had a full program and a part time at a bank. I ate one cookie a day for 6 months. $1.00 was all I could afford for food a day and those cookies were the only thing I could get because I couldn't afford the electricity to cook anything

0points

Susanne B 2 years ago

Some of these stories nearly made me weep. What kind of country makes its citizens have to choose between rent and food? Everyone needs both.

0points

Tom Hanlin 2 years ago

I'd really like to mention that, if you're in the United States, there are usually MANY church groups that will be so happy to give you free food, toiletries, and clothes if you just ask for them. I believe there are five different groups within walking distance, in my neighborhood. None of them are going to preach at you or ask questions about your finances, and maybe they can get you a free bicycle? This is not a poor nation and contains generous people. It's horrible to hear these stories of "I can't afford to eat" that actually mean, "Oh, I didn't know I could just ask for free bags of groceries and yes, I'd like that shampoo". Seriously, you're covered. You just need to know that.

0points

Evelyn Haskins 2 years ago (edited)

I do wonder about his though. We never considered oursleves poor, but we did NOT go out for meals, I made healthy meals with inexpensive ingredients. If you can afford bread and some fillings, a piece of fruit and carry to to work with you. If you eat out, it will eat severely into your wages. Remember that when you buy prepared foods, you are paying for the preparation, the packaging AND the wages of the people handling this. Even a bought sandwich is far more expensive that making your own, Packed 'snacks' are extraordinarily expensive considering even just the caloric value, let alone nutrition.

0points

Lee 2 years ago

One of the owners (there were two) of the small corporation I worked for told my immediate boss "I haven't paid myself in five years". The only problem with that was this @s$hole had the absolute balls to say that after pulling up in a fresh off the lot, that year model BMW.

0points

Stan Chung 2 years ago

Depressing. I was once told by the boss I had to dress more GQ. He said I was an Art Director, I should dress like one. Stung. I told him in the face you don't pay me enough to dress GQ. It was poverty wages. I could only carry on because of my parents and some catered meals on shoots.

0points

MzFitz1215 2 years ago

The Starbucks one irritates me because it is in fact true, cut it out and you can save money, when we were buying our house we knew we were going to need a couple of thousand dollars for moving expenses. I cut out my 3 day a week coffees (not Starbucks but same difference) and stopped going to the nail salon those two things saved 200.00 a month . By cutting out little expenses like that my husband and I saved quite a bit of money with very little sacrifice.

0points

Roald 2 years ago

I once had a boss that didn't pay me after the month ended, and the next month he proclaimed: we all know December is an expensive month, so i am going to pay you guys the 2 months minus 30% or sue me. We we're paid an equivalent of about 10 USD/hr (0USD/hr for overtime) and he charged the client 600USD/day for 'expert technicians' - yep, us. Lowlife SOB. May karma be generous on him.

0points

CL Rowan 2 years ago

Was this in the US? If so you can sue and win!

0points

Carter 2 years ago

The working poor. It's disgusting that companies get away with this b******t.! Back when I started work my store manager had a wife, 2 kids. 2 cars and a house . He's wife worked part time only because she wanted to. Oh and he had health insurance . After Reagan all that started to change. .

0points

CL Rowan 2 years ago

Reagan was the beginning of all this evil. How long before a second Revolution?

0points

DrBronxx 2 years ago

I remember years back when our company had only been going for about two years, and I mentioned to my boss that he had lost a lot of weight. He's sports mad, so I thought he was just running a lot. However, I found out years later that he just couldn't afford much food. We were just making enough to pay for the staff, so he was sacrificing his salary. I had a lot of respect for him when I found that out. However, nowadays, after the company became successful, I feel like he's forgotten about that stuff. A lot of what he does is brag about the rich and famous people he meets, and how much he spends on expensive things. I think he sees it as promotion of the company, but a while back it felt to me like he's moved into bragging territory.

0points

CL Rowan 2 years ago

A gentle reminder might be in order~~got a photo album of those times?

0points

LB 2 years ago

I was working two minimum wage jobs. I was tired and hungry all the time. My boss asked me once if I worked two jobs so I could have some extra “fun money.” It was hard not to burst out crying in that moment. When I told her I had to have two jobs because they only paid minimum wage, she got mad at me.

0points

Jamie Edwards 2 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Mary Ellen 2 years ago

You are a jerk.

2points

POST

Mr. Jones 2 years ago

36points

Kanzi 2 years ago

19points

BakedKahuna 2 years ago

16points

CL Rowan 2 years ago

The expectation is to pull ourselves up from our bootstraps. What do you do when those straps were eaten?

1point

Lisa Watson 2 years ago

7points

CL Rowan 2 years ago

Thank you!

0points

Dave P 2 years ago

7points

CL Rowan 2 years ago

And now they have type 2 diabetes with all the combined comorbidities.

0points

Jo Choto 2 years ago

6points

Erin Mandrusiak 2 years ago (edited)

3points

MzFitz1215 2 years ago

1point

Matt Lemay 2 years ago

I lived on a bag of potatoes a week when I first lived on my own. $9/hour doesn't go far after rent and car payment(which I needed to get to and from work).

2points

Remy 2 years ago

Imagine thinking you come off good in any of these stories?

2points

Eds 2 years ago

1point

CL Rowan 2 years ago

Picky disappears when you're hungry enough.

0points

Trevor Nicholson 2 years ago

1point

Trevor Nicholson 2 years ago

1point

MARS 2 years ago

1point

Lara Verne 2 years ago

I am not rich, but I can't imagine only being able to afford one meal a day.

1point

Mike Beck 2 years ago

1point

A Jones 2 years ago

1point

Livingwithcfs 1 year ago

0points

Susanne B 2 years ago

Some of these stories nearly made me weep. What kind of country makes its citizens have to choose between rent and food? Everyone needs both.

0points

Tom Hanlin 2 years ago

0points

Evelyn Haskins 2 years ago (edited)

0points

Lee 2 years ago

0points

Stan Chung 2 years ago

0points

MzFitz1215 2 years ago

0points

Roald 2 years ago

0points

CL Rowan 2 years ago

Was this in the US? If so you can sue and win!

0points

Carter 2 years ago

0points

CL Rowan 2 years ago

Reagan was the beginning of all this evil. How long before a second Revolution?

0points

DrBronxx 2 years ago

0points

CL Rowan 2 years ago

A gentle reminder might be in order~~got a photo album of those times?

0points

LB 2 years ago

0points

Jamie Edwards 2 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Mary Ellen 2 years ago

You are a jerk.

2points