Join the Fun!

Someone Wondered “What’s A Sign That Someone Grew Up Poor?” And 30 Folks Online Delivered For me, I have what I call "poverty mentality", while I can afford new shoes and clothes, they have to be falling apart for me to replace.

ciarrabobeara , compuinfoto Report

Final score:

408points

POST

RandomFrog(He/They️‍️) 1 year ago (edited)

I didn’t grow up super poor, but I still do this. My favorite pair of vans, had em for three years. Super glued the sole together , hand sewed the crease together a few times. Finnaly bought a new pair of shoes lmao. Idk why I do this but it saved me money for three years. EDIT:Wow, I’m honored, Finnaly been on BP long enough to get a spam bot reply lmao

121points

Totally-trapped , RODNAE Productions Report

Someone Wondered “What’s A Sign That Someone Grew Up Poor?” And 30 Folks Online Delivered Never buying clothing at full price. It just feels illegal.

Final score:

408points

POST

RagDollLali 1 year ago

Even as an established adults, this feels so accurate

114points

Someone Wondered “What’s A Sign That Someone Grew Up Poor?” And 30 Folks Online Delivered They are normally more generous than people who grew up in rich families.

Wrong-Assistance-396 , Zen Chung Report

Final score:

408points

POST

Der Kommissar 1 year ago

This is absolutely true, as pizza delivery drivers have many stories about poor people who tip (when they can) and rich people who tip a little or nothing at all. A good example is NY Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte, who lives in a big-a*s mansion in Texas. He and his wife both reportedly tip $1

163points

Difficult_Let_1953 , Kampus Production Report

Someone Wondered “What’s A Sign That Someone Grew Up Poor?” And 30 Folks Online Delivered The mental struggle to buy anything and not feel guilty.

Final score:

387points

POST

Benita Valdez 1 year ago

Oof. I have a $50 bill in my wallet from Christmas. I am 39 and still in the process of convincing myself to buy the stupid video game I want. Cleary it is a gift so it's ok but man have I been resistant to buying anything with it

147points

Someone Wondered “What’s A Sign That Someone Grew Up Poor?” And 30 Folks Online Delivered Will eat all of the food on their plate, even after feeling full because they can't waste food.

HovercraftThin5217 , RossHelen Report

Final score:

384points

POST

Amy S 1 year ago

Flip side - I used to leave some of my meal even if I was still hungry so that I could have the rest the day after, otherwise there might not be anything to eat the next day.

210points

Rahul Pawa 1 year ago

I see that as the same thing. The point is not letting food go to waste.

9points

Dizavid 1 year ago

A flip side on yours: Or, you have something to eat the next day, but this meal was a rare treat; something more costly and therefore of delicacy status. For some that can mean steak, for some it can mean simply "meat". Anyway, saving some from that meal back so you can enjoy it twice bc you don't know how long it's gonna be ramen and ice water cereal.

4points

Jig Jive 1 year ago

I even take my own containers when I eat at a restaurant. I always get 2 meals at least!

3points

Vordelia 1 year ago

Used to always leave food on my plate because I knew that was probably my mom's only dinner. Still have a hard time with that. Siblings too.

2points

Abur Felix 1 year ago

I am still poor. I always leave food in the pot, because the next meal is not guaranteed. But I also finish everything served on my plate. I don't want any scraps trashed

1point

Cassi Lyris 1 year ago

The two sides of this coin.

1point

mSpencer 1 year ago

Same

0points

R Dennis 1 year ago

My wife won't eat leftovers. That's a whole different thing... I eat leftovers for every meal until they are gone. The idea of wasting food is unfathomable. Sometimes it will be a week before I have a meal that isn't leftovers because I have to eat the older food first, even when meals are made every day.

13points

Lyyyy 1 year ago

My mom had it instilled into her that everyday she had to cook something, and so the leftovers from previous day would go to waste. Now in my household we throw almost no food away. As means to achieve this, I sometimes even eat stir fry for breakfast. 😅 leftover food makes a nice snack.

8points

Nina 1 year ago

My grandparents (WW2 generation) once told me that people who throw away food or don't touch it twice never knew what it meant to be really hungry.

5points

Auntie Bear 1 year ago

I love leftovers because then I don't have to cook

2points

Marie Dahme 1 year ago

Sometimes I freeze leftovers in foodsaver vacuum bags if I fear I’ve made too much that I can’t eat it all.

2points

D. Pitbull 1 year ago

More accurately... you NEVER say "Yeah, just take it away" or throw it out. if you can't eat it, you pack it. You. Don't. Waste.

8points

lubbaDubDub 1 year ago

At any buffet or free food event, eating only high value foods like meat, cheese, shrimp,etc. I'm not eating free potatoes or noodles

8points

Marie Dahme 1 year ago

Exactly ! I’m sorry but I’m eating stuff that I can’t afford myself !

7points

H G 1 year ago

I have a fierce protection against others eating from my food. I get angry, and at that quickly. I also eat very fast, and look like I shovel it in. Growing up we were si poor, I was having a eating competition with my sister every day to even have some. Our mother had to start giving us portions. We were skeleton thin, all three of us.

4points

Lady Lestrange 1 year ago

Wasting food isn't normal. No matter rich or poor. Just take as much as you can eat. It's not that difficult.

3points

Joe Hurd 1 year ago

I utilize every possible scrap of food I can right down to making my own stocks etc

2points

Mimi M 1 year ago

Not wasting food. Full stop.

2points

Rusty 1 year ago

I wait until my kids and wife eat before I do. Could be the reason I've lost like 40 pounds since 2021

2points

Adam Forwood 1 year ago

Also free/unlimited food - I can't help myself. I feel like I have to take full advantage and eat as much as I can

2points

Marie Dahme 1 year ago

I did this a lot. And then stuffing ketchup, jelly and any other condiment packets in my purse.

2points

Beachbum 1 year ago

I would never eat the whole thing, always got a to go box though. This way I know I will always have another meal

1point

Bad Ass69 1 year ago

I have calculated how much I usually eat so there is nothing left on my plate ever. I have went back for a small portion of second helping if I'm not full? And save any left overs. I'm not one of those eyes bigger than your stomach people.

1point

Chris Conley 1 year ago

My family would cook dinner & what leftovers we had we keep eating the next day until it’s gone. My wife would cook & still have leftovers which she believes should be trashed & I was like what? Hell no! She was raised spoiled while most of my childhood was poor with a single mom & us 3 boys. I honestly do not understand that mentality that once cooked it all belongs in the trash “we do NOT keep leftovers”. I’m the only in my family still to this day continue to keep eating our leftovers. Leftovers usually runs out within 1-2 days growing up.

1point

S&P 1 year ago

I've definitely noticed over the past year, just how far I will go to not waste food and how guilty I feel when I'm unable to use everything up. I know it's definitely not healthy given how extensive it is and I'm hoping once I'm back in therapy, I can somehow get it toned down.

1point

Michael Largey 1 year ago

I simply don't put food on my plate that I won't be eating.

1point

Gary Geracci 8 months ago

This is me, for sure. Many times "Lunch" is leftover dinner

0points

Gary Geracci 1 year ago

If i can't finish, Not to proud to ask for container to take it home, Waste Not -Want Not!

0points

Heather Talma 1 year ago

Or carefully saving exactly half of it to make a second portion for the next day

0points

Ana Sabana 1 year ago

Thats me, i hate wasting food 😖

0points

Lizzie Conkey 1 year ago

I always take the leftovers with me whether from my moms or from a restaurant and have it for my lunch at work. Just mad dinner and I don’t think I even ate half. It will be my meal for work tomorrow

0points

Catherine Spencer-Mills 1 year ago

If you have leftovers, save the leftovers for the next day. Always.

0points

Amanda Trent 1 year ago

I used to pretty much live off of little Caesars $5 pizza *CRUSTS*, I would give my kids my share of the actual pizza and since they didn't really eat the crusts off of their pizza, I had my crusts and theirs. So I wasn't starving, but I wasn't full either. Now that they're adults, and are all doing fairly well financially, btw, they will tell me how they remember me doing that for them and it showed how much I was willing to do for my kids. They'll say "mom, u starved so we didn't have to" 😭❤️🥲 that's the ultimate validation right there.

0points

Brad Dyer 1 year ago

If you overeat, you're still wasting food. Better to waste food by throwing it away then to waste it by shoving it down your gullet and making yourself fat. There's no benefit to eating food when you're not hungry.

0points

Naomie Moore 1 year ago

Was raised by war children. Absolutely NOTHING goes to waste in my house . . .

0points

Deborah THE Band 1 year ago

No. That's why God made to-go boxes. Well... that... and Southern cook's are simply f**king great!!!!

0points

Jade Hei 1 year ago

When we eat anything, my plate is always clean while my partner's plate almost never is.

0points

LordSiravant 1 year ago

So much food goes to waste that could have fed the less fortunate because those who have plenty can't be bothered to not let excess food go to waste. I hate it so much.

0points

O'Dessa Bourque 1 year ago

Leftovers can be great. (⁠◍⁠•⁠ᴗ⁠•⁠◍⁠)⁠❤

0points

SW Dad 1 year ago

I was raised upper middle class in the 80s. I had to retrain myself from eating everything on my plate because my mom would pull the "starving children in Africa" card. To her credit she regularly helped out local unhoused communities. But man what an 80s suburban mom move.

0points

foryouwhynot IB 1 year ago

We’re teaching our son about not wasting food but also not eating past full…so if there are leftovers that’s the start of the next meal!

0points

Phil Tune 1 year ago

Oof. This hits me. We are way better of than our parents were at this age, but I still get onto my kids for wasting a bowl of cereal.

0points

Johnny Storm 1 year ago

Take away for me.. 😂

0points

Nykky 1 year ago

This is just a sign of my emotional and mental abuse, not so much our economic status when I was young

0points

censorshipsucks 1 year ago

I do this.

0points

rs_adahl1971 1 year ago

Clean player club right here!

0points

rs_adahl1971 1 year ago

Plater

1point

lynne thorp 1 year ago

This is the "there are starving children in China" story

-1point

Gabriel Gunnink 1 year ago

Bro my homie actually finds pride in WASTING food refuses to ever eat leftovers etc, he said it's bc trauma from not having enough so he finds putting too much food on his plate and throwing the rest away a mental victory.

-1point

Jake VanWagoner 1 year ago

I just hate having leftovers. They take up space in the fridge and I never want to go back and eat them because they're never good microwaved.

-1point

Someone Wondered “What’s A Sign That Someone Grew Up Poor?” And 30 Folks Online Delivered having a vast skill set! trust me, when you cant afford a repair man/hairdresser/seamstress/builder/roofer/welder/mechanic etc, you learn yourself.

bretty666 , Natallia Photo Report

Final score:

362points

POST

LK 1 year ago

Or, if you don't have the skills, you know someone who does, and you can exchange favours.

173points

Someone Wondered “What’s A Sign That Someone Grew Up Poor?” And 30 Folks Online Delivered I'm really surprised I haven't seen "condiment drawer" here. When eating out, you save all of the unused condiments in a drawer. It took me until I was about 40 to finally recognize and stop hoarding ketchup and sauce packets.

LaymanF , MS Report

Final score:

348points

POST

Tucker Cahooter 1 year ago

I don't like chili sauce so when I eat two minute noodles, I just cut around that packet and store it in the pantry. For no good reason

82points

Someone Wondered “What’s A Sign That Someone Grew Up Poor?” And 30 Folks Online Delivered A personal anecdote:

For backstory, I'm the primary financial provider for my wife and I, but I really don't care what she does with our money. If our bills are paid and we have food to eat, I'm fine.

I grew up fairly poor, so I never really bought anything for myself, or asked for anything to be bought for me. A few months ago a video game I had wanted to play was on sale for like.... $2.50, and I said to my wife "hey, can I buy this?"

Not really because I wanted "permission" but because I hadn't logged in to check our financial state and didn't know if the money was already set aside for bills. But she looked at me and said "did you just ask permission to buy a $2.50 game with your own money?...."

So I'd say the hesitance to buy anything for yourself, regardless of how stupidly cheap it was.

obaterista93 , Prostock-studio Report

Final score:

340points

POST

MotherofGuineaPigs 1 year ago

My late husband did this, always asked if he could buy something (he was also the mayonnaise jar hoarder)

81points

NoMaineKoonsAllowed , Pressmaster Report

#10

Someone Wondered “What’s A Sign That Someone Grew Up Poor?” And 30 Folks Online Delivered I grew up poor and my husband grew up middle class. Whenever we have guests, I am constantly asking people if they got ENOUGH food. "Is anyone still hungry? I can make something else!"

My husband will inquire about the quality of the food and if it is to everyone's liking.

I think when you grow up poor, food is very much quantity over quality.

Final score:

334points

POST

Roddfergg 1 year ago

My wife and I still feed anybody that comes to the house and we make enough that they could take some with them.

125points

#11

Someone Wondered “What’s A Sign That Someone Grew Up Poor?” And 30 Folks Online Delivered I went without food sometimes when I was growing up. It took a long time before I stopped hoarding food once I could afford it. My husband always commented on how long it would take me to go through the chocolate he would bring back from his international trips. I was always afraid it would be the last time we could get it and would make it last as long as humanly possible. I am quick to shut down spending and I am much better at saving money than my husband. I also keep our heat set at 63 for the day and I am usually the last in the neighborhood to turn on our air conditioning. I still shop sales and I don’t understand things like renovating a perfectly fine kitchen just because you don’t like the color of the countertop or cabinets.

jtuley77 , Budgeron Bach Report

Final score:

315points

POST

Shelby Moonheart 1 year ago

One of my nephews was adopted into our family when he was three. My SIL said it took him a long time to stop hoarding food and realize he would get fed at the next meal.

126points

#12

Someone Wondered “What’s A Sign That Someone Grew Up Poor?” And 30 Folks Online Delivered Lack of exposure to cultural events. missing out on experiences that others may take for granted, such as attending concerts, traveling, or participating in extracurricular activities.

thesnowman_ , Wendy Wei Report

Final score:

313points

POST

SlothyK8 1 year ago

I tried out to be a cheerleader and made the squad. I was shocked and had to back out. I lied, saying that i'd hurt myself and my doctor has told me not to join, but the truth was that my parents could barely afford a pizza now and then, much less several hundred dollars worth the cheerleading gear. I never told them.

184points

#13

Someone Wondered “What’s A Sign That Someone Grew Up Poor?” And 30 Folks Online Delivered When I was in elementary school a girl asked me why all my shirts were just solid color and not brand name logo shirts. Made me feel insecure. So im going to go with an obvious answer here, clothing and style. I still wear my clothes until they have holes and stains. I have the money to buy new brand name clothes, but why. I'm not trying to impress anyone.

positive_express , mstandret Report

Final score:

293points

POST

User# 6 1 year ago

I never understood why people would go around looking like a bill board for clothing brands.

223points

#14

Someone Wondered “What’s A Sign That Someone Grew Up Poor?” And 30 Folks Online Delivered Odd hoarding behaviours of things you probably should have gotten rid of out of fear you won’t be able to replace them easily. I keep a stack of boxes broken down because there’s still this fear in the back of my mind that I’ll have to move again at a moment’s notice. I make a decent salary now and have lived where I am for nearly 7 years, but I still can’t part with those boxes despite the space they take up. Under the bed, behind the chest of drawers… Yeah. I still have ‘em.

Mr_Lumbergh , cottonbro studio Report

Final score:

275points

POST

MotherofGuineaPigs 1 year ago

Mayonnaise jars, or any jar that has a good lid. Have to go on a jar purge every 6 months or so.

114points

#15

Someone Wondered “What’s A Sign That Someone Grew Up Poor?” And 30 Folks Online Delivered Enjoying cinnamon, sugar, and butter on a slice of bread because we couldn't afford sweet treats 🥲 it low-key slapped though

arabella_rose95 , jeffreyw Report

Final score:

266points

POST

Papa Patata 1 year ago

It's delicious though.

141points

#16

Someone Wondered “What’s A Sign That Someone Grew Up Poor?” And 30 Folks Online Delivered I'm a foster kid. I was always poor and pretty much had nothing. These are habits I have.

I hoard food. They're still edible if they're past their expiration date as long as it's not mouldy or something. My basement is stocked for a zombie apocalypse.

I never throw out old containers unless they're mouldy or something, clean that s**t out, good as new.

I also always have leftovers. I never waste food and eat everything on my plate.

I feel guilty when I buy something I don't necessarily need.

I add water to "empty" soap containers so they're full.

I cut "empty" toothpaste tubes so I get every last drop.

I reuse a lot of stuff. The "disposable" stuff don't need to be disposed most of the time. You can reuse them.

OriginalDarkDagger , vladans Report

Final score:

260points

POST

RandomFrog(He/They️‍️) 1 year ago

You should get one of those paint rollers. You stick the end of toothpaste or pain tube and it rolls it up all tight so you get every last drop. Saves me a lot of time and is so much more convenient than cutting them open.

65points

#17

Someone Wondered “What’s A Sign That Someone Grew Up Poor?” And 30 Folks Online Delivered Scanning the menu for the cheapest options possible when at a restaurant. “It’s ok the soup is really enough for me”

Call_the_Green_Man , macniak Report

Final score:

230points

POST

Mary Kelly 1 year ago

we were trained that this is the polite thing to do if someon else is paying, and i did this even when i was paying well into my 30s.

4points

#18

Someone Wondered “What’s A Sign That Someone Grew Up Poor?” And 30 Folks Online Delivered - Being hypersensitive to any light left on, door left open, opening the fridge too much, running water too long, etc, because you’re trained to minimize utilities.

- Never pouring more than 1/2 a glass of any drink when at someone else’s house (except water) because you don’t want to be seen as wasteful/gluttonous.

- Making weird snacks out of food that isn’t supposed to be a snack - ex. Eating dry ramen noodles like chips, koolaid with sugar and your finger to make your own fun dip, eating Kraft cheese slices/cold hotdogs/other things that are normally just a part of a meal.

kountryt , wirestockc Report

Final score:

216points

POST

Shelby Moonheart 1 year ago

"Eating dry ramen noodles like chips, koolaid with sugar" are some of my favorite things but I didn't grow up poor.

59points

Leadsingerofthebandd , Pressmaster Report

#19

Someone Wondered “What’s A Sign That Someone Grew Up Poor?” And 30 Folks Online Delivered In the US I’d say poor dental history or teeth - dental work is a luxury

Overall, I’d say many hoarders grew up poor because they are so afraid of not having something if they’ll need it so they keep everything

Final score:

211points

POST

Tucker Cahooter 1 year ago

My dad was like that. Grew up in the Depression, the son of a widow. Never threw out any scrap piece of metal or wood. I've inherited that trait too.

59points

#20

Someone Wondered “What’s A Sign That Someone Grew Up Poor?” And 30 Folks Online Delivered Sentimentality. Not that wealthier people can't be sentimental.

But my dad, whose parents grew up in the rural South during the great depression, wants to keep every little thing of my mom's. Everything.

He would prefer to keep her bedroom as is.

I always wondered why he wanted to keep it like that. But then I realized, the only thing we have left is my mom's ashes in an urn.

There was no funeral, no memorial, (she didn't want any and there was no one to come anyways) no tombstone. Nothing that feels tangible, personal, etc.

We don't have the luxury of beautiful personal mausoleums, or headstones, or anything else in the Western death culture.

My mom's bedroom, and all her stuff is the closest we will ever have to a memorial for my mom. It's a tomb, without a body in it.

InsomWriter , Studio Sarah Lou Report

Final score:

208points

POST

Kitten Dog Mom 1 year ago

It's the memories...

67points

Another_Basic_NPC , Olena_Mykhaylova Report

#21

Someone Wondered “What’s A Sign That Someone Grew Up Poor?” And 30 Folks Online Delivered I was told recently I was crazy for using bread instead of hot dog buns. That's just something I always did as it's what we had. Burgers, hotdogs all bread fellas.

Final score:

207points

POST

sofacushionfort 1 year ago

With a rolled slice of bologna instead of a hot dog

57points

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

#22

Someone Wondered “What’s A Sign That Someone Grew Up Poor?” And 30 Folks Online Delivered There's quite a bit, I didn't see them in myself until I was an adult and went to therapy.

1. Lack of basic wellness, e.g. no primary care doctor or dentist. Rationalizing this because there's a "financial cost" to it.

2. Serious guilt from buying anything you don't absolutely need. It's a feeling of "you don't deserve this" or "you're being stupid to ever want something".

3. Working yourself to death because of a serious insecurity about "returning to poverty"; my therapist called this the "never again" work ethic, it's toxic.

4. Eating your food so fast like you will never have another meal again. It's a sign of food insecurity growing up. My fiance pointed this out to me that I did this, and it clicked when I talked with my therapist about it. It's very common

5. General anti establishment beliefs. The system failed you, so it's hard to trust something that put you through abuse. This can manifest in bad financial literacy, or lack of belief in banks/stock market, etc.

Werealldudesyea , Andrea Piacquadio Report

Final score:

196points

POST

Nichole Harris 1 year ago

I checked all the boxes....hmmmm

63points

TouristSubstantial36 , Mint_Images Report

#23

Someone Wondered “What’s A Sign That Someone Grew Up Poor?” And 30 Folks Online Delivered I have ”poverty toes”. We didn’t have a lot of money growing up so shoes were worn until they died, regardless of fit. My toes are curled and with prominent knuckles from being scrunched into too-small shoes.

Final score:

190points

POST

Nichole Harris 1 year ago

This....I've got constant pain from it too

60points

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

#24

Someone Wondered “What’s A Sign That Someone Grew Up Poor?” And 30 Folks Online Delivered Only shopping in the clearance sections even after I grew up and started making good money.

Traditional_Yak_7231 , Mike Mozart Report

Final score:

189points

POST

Roddfergg 1 year ago

I make decent money and I still cannot justify paying full price for most clothes. These days it's, "$20 for a T-SHIRT?!?!"

124points

#25

Someone Wondered “What’s A Sign That Someone Grew Up Poor?” And 30 Folks Online Delivered Having duplicates of essentials. You develop a prepper mentality for every “just in case” situation.

AWaffleHouse , Jennifer Morrow Report

Final score:

185points

POST

Linda Lee 1 year ago

Always buying 2 of everything; you might not have money next time. Out of mustard? Buy 2. One to use now and one goes in the pantry.

100points

#26

Someone Wondered “What’s A Sign That Someone Grew Up Poor?” And 30 Folks Online Delivered Difficulty throwing things away.

OldSamVimes , benzoix Report

Final score:

162points

POST

deejak 1 year ago

For tinkerers, having plenty of materials available for that spontaneous gotta-make-this-thing-NOW drives that saving mentality.

64points

LittleRileyBao , seventyfourimages Report

#27

Someone Wondered “What’s A Sign That Someone Grew Up Poor?” And 30 Folks Online Delivered Someone asked me if my kid was going to do dance or gymnastics. I was confused as to why. Their response was didn’t you do it as a kid. No I that cost money. I was lucky to play with a knockoff Barbie.

Final score:

161points

POST

H G 1 year ago

All those fancy toy commercials on the neighbour's cartoon network..... We didn't even have coloring books because it would end up short....

43points

#28

Realizing I wanted to have the house that all my kids friends came over to hang out at because that wasn't really an option for big chunks of my childhood.

sykojaz Report

Final score:

149points

POST

Metalhead Turtle 🇺🇦 1 year ago

I felt that. I still kinda want to be able to have friends at my house. ... But that's just me.

32points

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

See Also on Bored Panda

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

#29

Someone Wondered “What’s A Sign That Someone Grew Up Poor?” And 30 Folks Online Delivered Still being marveled by an ice maker and side by side doors

Difficult_Let_1953 , rfaizal707 Report

Final score:

143points

POST

Jeff Gabrisl 1 year ago

I hate side by side doors unless they both go to the refrigerator portion, and the freezer is a separate portion. The more cubic a compartment is, the more volume. Side by side freezer/fridge always feels like there isn't enough room in either.

89points

#30

Someone Wondered “What’s A Sign That Someone Grew Up Poor?” And 30 Folks Online Delivered Even when they have money to burn, they’ll still be frugal as f**k.

JustSome70sGuy , duallogic Report

Final score:

126points

POST

Helena 1 year ago

Or the opposite direction. If you've had a lifetime of want and suddenly have money, you can get a little crazy with the what you spend money on.

74points

Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium

Unlimited content

Ad-free browsing

Dark mode

#31

Someone Wondered “What’s A Sign That Someone Grew Up Poor?” And 30 Folks Online Delivered Spending any windfall money. The bone deep certainty that money will just...go away. There will always be another surprise bill or the car will break down. If you get some extra money, you buy the kids a trampoline because for once you don't have to say "no, we can't afford that".

PenguinProfessor , Lemnaouer Report

Final score:

36points

POST

Another Amy 1 year ago

Or finally being able to save up some money but then being too afraid to ever use it on absolutely anything

19points

Reasonable-While-101 Report

#32

Lots of Cool Whip & Country Crock containers

Final score:

33points

POST

Nichole Harris 1 year ago

Y'all could afford cool whip?!?!

12points

#33

Someone Wondered “What’s A Sign That Someone Grew Up Poor?” And 30 Folks Online Delivered I wasn't in the know with all the cool Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon shows.

But I did watch Arthur, Cyberchase, Clifford and Dragon Tales.

Firree , delightfully_chaotic_me Report

Final score:

32points

POST

foxgirl158 1 year ago

PBS Kids has my heart ❤️

17points

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

See Also on Bored Panda

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

#34

Someone Wondered “What’s A Sign That Someone Grew Up Poor?” And 30 Folks Online Delivered Hesitant to go to the doctor when medical care is needed because of copays - even if they can afford it.

Back2Bach , seventyfourimages Report

Final score:

32points

POST

Widdershins66 1 year ago

We were Poor (UK) but thank goodness we had the NHS. No bill, no debt.

10points

#35

Someone Wondered “What’s A Sign That Someone Grew Up Poor?” And 30 Folks Online Delivered Little or no financial literacy.

If you grew up poor chances are you had no one around to teach you about how to manage things like mortgages, large amounts of savings, or how to budget past the point of juggling bills.

It sucks because knowing how to do these things is such a useful skill, and can get you out of a lot of difficult situations if you play your cards right.

Knowing how to manage money also prevents you from being taken advantage of by people and companies that don’t have your best interest at heart.

While I’m here, if you identify with this comment, please check out r/PovertyFinance and r/PovertyFinanceCanada. They’re super helpful.

threadbarefemur , thichaa Report

Final score:

27points

POST

H G 1 year ago

We didn't have the money for these things. We lived from money in hand to barely surviving.

8points

#36

Someone Wondered “What’s A Sign That Someone Grew Up Poor?” And 30 Folks Online Delivered One day my girlfriend asked me why I'm washing ziploc bags. I told her so we can reuse them later. It was only after the following discussion and some thinking that I realized it's not very normal.

gregarioussparrow , Jack Kennard Report

Final score:

23points

POST

Frando Bone 1 year ago

you should be doing that anyway to keep plastic out of the environment.

39points

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

See Also on Bored Panda

“This Breaks My Heart”: People Stunned—And Angry—After Woman Buys Lost Luggage From Airport

#37

Aversion to certain foods they had to eat ---- I won't touch cheerios

ratteb Report

Final score:

23points

POST

Zoe DiAnni 1 year ago

Yes…pea soup…Mom made a big pot and it felt like it lasted months 🤢

11points

After many years of working as sports journalist and trivia game author and host in Ukraine I joined Bored Panda as a content creator. I do love writing stories and I sincerely believe - there's no dull plots at all. Like a great Italian composer Joaquino Rossini once told: "Give me a police protocol - and I'll make an opera out of it!"

Read less »

I am a visual editor here. In my free time I enjoy the vibrant worlds of art galleries, exhibitions, and soulful concerts. Yet, amidst life's hustle and bustle, I find solace in nature's embrace, cherishing tranquil moments with beloved friends. Deep within, I hold a dream close - to embark on a global journey in an RV, accompanied by my faithful canine companion. Together, we'll wander through diverse cultures, weaving precious memories under the starry night sky, fulfilling the wanderlust that stirs my soul.

Read less »

What do you think ?

POST

Andy Frobig 1 year ago

Mom worked for New York Telephone in the '70s, but we lived in a town with an independent phone company, which meant she would have had to pay for phone service, so instead we had a cheap Radio Shack intercom and if somebody wanted to talk to us, they'd call the neighbors and the neighbors would call us on the intercom. We also didn't have a color TV till about 1978, but even that was an improvement from around 1970 when we had a little TV with picture but no sound sitting on top of a big TV with sound but no picture and we had to turn both on to watch and listen to a show

18points

Old Roadie 1 year ago

Love that ingenuity!

7points

D. Pitbull 1 year ago

Wow. LOL... I look at most of these and think "Uhh.. I thought that was just growing up Asian". Seriously - my whole group of friends/acquaintances growing up (all a bunch of East Asian kids, most of them Chinese) we did SO much of this stuff just as part of daily life (Don't waste food, make sure your guests have MORE than enough to eat, if it ain't broke you don't need a new one, etc) - and I wouldn't really call any of us as having grown up 'poor'... and some of them were downright stupid wealthy.

10points

JoyfulZebra 1 year ago

I wonder if that had anything to do with how prevalent Confucian thinking is in China and East Asia in general. It developed during the chaotic Warring States Period in China, and so is focused on order and tradition to maintain harmony (kinda like an inherent "never again" mindset).

5points

NamiKoa 1 year ago

My mother has always scraped out eggs with her finger when she cracks them open. She said years ago an acquaintance saw her do that and asked her if she grew up poor.

7points

Mimi M 1 year ago (edited)

An older woman told me once that prospective MIL's would watch their potential DIL's to see if they did that because it was a sign that they would be a good homemaker - scraping out that bit of egg. I do it, b/c not doing it is wasteful.

5points

Matthews 1 year ago

One thing I haven’t seen in the list is the near pathological fear of being robbed / burgled because there’s just no possible way of replacing anything.

7points

BluEyedSeoulite 1 year ago

We were never worried about being robbed because we had nothing anyone would want. Until a neighbor girl's druggie bf found out my mom had cancer therefore probably had pain pills. Besides the meds though, nothing worth a damn to resell

3points

Lunamorte Louise 1 year ago

Oof. I was mugged a little over a decade ago. I was injured. I had an ebt card and my phone in my purse. I was walking home from work. I still feel sickened over how someone would rob a poor, single mom like that.

0points

Charm Hockaday 1 year ago

Or your residence catching fire.

0points

censorshipsucks 1 year ago

Couldn't read this, too many familiar things. Only thing I don't do on this list is control spending. Once I got a decent salary I was like WOOOOOHOOOOOOO. But still hoard condiments from takeout and still re-use their containers as tupperware and still only chuck clothes once they get lots of holes (one hole is easy to fix).

5points

Angie Falzarano 1 year ago

It's hard to give up favorite shirts even with holes in them and a quite few. I got a Tshirt on my 30th birthday that said 30th on it. I was in my 40s before giving it up

0points

Mary ey? 1 year ago

I disagree that things are "much much better today". Inflation is up by 189% from 40 years ago.648 million people are living in EXTREME poverty (less than $2.15 in today's money) ( Please remember down vote spam not what you disagree with. People get kicked off bored panda for to many down votes)

4points

Victoria 1 year ago

Worldwide extreme poverty has considerably been reduced in the last 30 years. Mostly because of China and India, but still.

1point

Kraneia The Dancing Dryad 1 year ago

Couple things: we weren't poor growing up but my folks did know the value of hand me downs. I usually inherited my older sisters clothes when she outgrew them. Then I went to live with an aunt who got rid of everything every year and bought new. Heaven forbid you wear something a little too big. It had to fit, never mind if you only get to wear it once because you had a growth spurt. I didn't understand for a long while; my only explanation is that my older cousin hid the fact she was pregnant under clothes that were too big. My other comment is about presents. We did the standard Christmas/birthday stuff. Otherwise if you wanted it you saved up your allowance. As an adult I still save up for things; I get uncomfortable when people buy me things, especially if it's expensive. I've learned not to mention certain things that are cool around friends because one of them will get a wild hair and buy it.

4points

Angie Falzarano 1 year ago

We weren't poor poor but we did Christmas on small scales. Decorations made by hand. But saving for something special I still do. To make extra money at home we'd get a penny a piece to pull stickers out of the carpet. Lived in the country lots of stickers and shag carpet I still pick up pennies. Despite people they're not worth anything. My answer 5 pennies make a nickel a hundred pennies make a dollar. I always have a change jar to put change in for anything I might need but don't have the money, count my change.

0points

John L 1 year ago

Sorry, but I do a lot of these and I didn't grow up poor, but I am a cheapskate....

4points

Kalleanon 1 year ago

Seriously America - healthcare *should* be a basic human right in any civilised country. Not going to the doctor or dentist because you can't afford it in the richest country in the world is seriously, seriously wrong.

2points

LordSiravant 1 year ago

Agreed 100%. But a lot of boomers sneer at that because of the bootstraps mentality. Even as they collect their paychecks from the very same social programs they hate so much.

1point

Ray Arani 1 year ago (edited)

Not seeking medical care until death is an actual strong possibility. Checking bank balance before every single purchase all the time. Knee jerk reaction to possible stolen wallet, "what they gone do? Fix my credit? Get my account outta overdraft? Good luck being me my dude, but it doesn't pay." Still having anxiety and staring at register at check out until it says "approved" even after checking bank balance, and always knowing what card to try next if that first one doesn't work...even when you know you got money now. Always have a few side hustles and a back up plan. And finally, my personal fave, the go bag. For years everything I owned fit in my backpack. I carried a backpack with my essentials all through my twenties, even after I was financially secure. Even to work, the grocery store, on a date. Slept with it literally in my bed. I just never broke the habit or thought about why. Still keep all essentials for starting over in my car.

2points

BluEyedSeoulite 1 year ago

Buying name brands. I still refuse to buy name brand cereal. It's usually packaged at the same place anyway

2points

Noho 2000 1 year ago

My grandmother at Christmases. While us kids were tearing open the wrapping like savages, my grandmother would carefully take off the bow and put it in a bag with a bunch of other bows. Then she would very carefully slice the tape of the wrapping paper and carefully fold it up. One year, I finally asked her why she did it. Long story short: being poor during The Depression and paper rationing in WWII. Still stays with me.

2points

Angie Falzarano 1 year ago

My great aunt did this too and she too grew up during the depression and wwii

0points

W0lfiest W0lfAlive 1 year ago

My grandma used to save tinfoil. She'd rinse it off and use it again. She'd save slivers of soap bars. Just about anything that could possibly be reused was reused.

2points

zena bena 1 year ago

Funny both my hysband and I grew up very poor,but whereas I save and pinch pennies and dont waste or have many vices,he is the exact opposite like money grows on trees and want to "spoil" himself as much as he can.

2points

BluEyedSeoulite 1 year ago

This is either a great match or very a frustrating match

1point

Craig Silberman 1 year ago

what's with the near-daily grew-up-poor or poor-vs-rich posts on Bored Panda? they've become more common than bridezillas, AITAs, malicious compliance, historic photos, and the other overused themes on this site

2points

Auntriarch 1 year ago

It goes in phases

5points

Peppy 1 year ago

Sign of the times

1point

W0lfiest W0lfAlive 1 year ago

If it gets them traffic (aka money), they will keep doing it.

0points

Alice Liddell 1 year ago

I have thick, curly, hair, but I keep my head shaved because hair products are a luxury and there are more important things to spend money on.

1point

Reece Aster 1 year ago

This was kind of mentioned, but the amount of electricity, water, gas someone wastes in a home. Not just true of poor, but can be a sign.

1point

Angie Falzarano 1 year ago

When I moved out on my own I couldn't afford movies or any type of extra entertainment except a TV. I had to retire at 53 and considered low income but I found a way to enjoy Ren faires or steampunk faires, I volunteer and I get in for free. I costumes I put together from what I have or I play games on my cell and get Amazon cards that I use to get things I don't have.

1point

Victoria 1 year ago

Grew up poor and didn't really get my life together till mid 40s. Now that I am a little more comfortable, I still live like a poor person. Cook for myself, only buy used clothes, don't have a car and rent (because I'm afraid to commit to mortgage payment).

1point

Erica Politica 1 year ago

As a kid, I always thought that a sign of being rich was owning two cars. I remember my parents selling candy to kids in the neighborhood out of our apartment to save enough money to buy their first car, and that took about 2 years. Now that I'm in my 30s and married, I still feel the same way. I would love for my husband and I to have our own cars, but it's just too expensive since we only have one income. Most of my friends have two-car households, and I marvel at how they pull that off.

1point

Kenneth Brown 1 year ago

You know those suburbs where all the houses look the same? Those are like my dream homes.

1point

Neuropotathy 1 year ago

Rolls on the floor cries a lot.

1point

R Dennis 1 year ago

I think not caring so much about money. I know that seems counterintuitive, but it isn't. Growing up poor and having to start helping pay bills at 10-11, I just never had much money. Being used to having nothing, when I started having money I had fun and had some nice things. When I started having more money than I could easily spend, it was nice but I didn't fear not having it. When my wife and I got together, we instantly became a family of 5 and money was tight again. So we basically started back at poor. Eventually we got back to a position where we have good money. I had a manager job where my boss hated that he couldn't dangle money in front of me to get me to do really hard jobs that no one wanted - I told him money wasn't a motivator for me... when you grow up broke and get some money, people can't manipulate you as easily.

1point

boredkitten 1 year ago (edited)

Growing up poor also might mean that when you start working you might need to help family members financially. I had to and have to and I don't find this fair. Also you are on your own, family cannot support you, it could be other way around. It ads a lot of stress to life. I was noticing a friend has a sure inheritance when her grandparents pass away so she finds studio to rent instead of sharing house with people and renting just a room like me so I can try to save money. She goes for massages while I am hesitant to spend money on it even when I need it too.

1point

boredkitten 1 year ago

I grew up poor. However, the way it showed up is that I gained a lot of unhealthy weight when I got to money. Also overworked myself and didn't leave toxic working environment. Also closing doors, turning off lights, using minimum tap water. Looking for cheap rent accommodation. Using phones, laptops until they break. Being careful when spending money but sometimes not. On the other hand, there are things where it wouldn't be guessable. I like better quality groceries, freshest possible even if it will cost me more money. I might sometimes throw away food which is past due date because I am afraid to eat it - maybe some aversion against it but I had this from childhood. My aunt was very annoyed each time I asked if it is not passed due date and I was just a little child. Also since seeing my family of hoarders and how awful it makes their life, I am trying to practice minimalism.

1point

Lady of the Mountains 1 year ago

I asked what the price limit was whenever we went out to eat, but when I did that at events, I got looked at weird. Surprisingly it made selecting a meal more stressful without a budget, even though I wasn't buying

0points

Susan Stead 1 year ago

Not one mention of not trusting wealthy people. Is it just me and my family? We were suspicious of wealthy people and treated them like they lived on another planet. I still shake my head when I see yachts, mansions, expensive cars, and clothes that are so ugly or impractical that they must be fashionable.

0points

LordSiravant 1 year ago

Oh, there's a lot of that. Most people just don't want to start fights over it because rich folks WILL get offended.

0points

Joe Chlimoun 1 year ago

Anybody else used to save unpopped popcorn kernels? After a few bags of popcorn, it's like you have a free bag of popcorn

0points

Crystal Ruiz 1 year ago

I didn't grow up poor, and do most of this.

0points

POST

Andy Frobig 1 year ago

18points

Old Roadie 1 year ago

Love that ingenuity!

7points

D. Pitbull 1 year ago

10points

JoyfulZebra 1 year ago

5points

NamiKoa 1 year ago

My mother has always scraped out eggs with her finger when she cracks them open. She said years ago an acquaintance saw her do that and asked her if she grew up poor.

7points

Mimi M 1 year ago (edited)

5points

Matthews 1 year ago

One thing I haven’t seen in the list is the near pathological fear of being robbed / burgled because there’s just no possible way of replacing anything.

7points

BluEyedSeoulite 1 year ago

3points

Lunamorte Louise 1 year ago

0points

Charm Hockaday 1 year ago

Or your residence catching fire.

0points

censorshipsucks 1 year ago

5points

Angie Falzarano 1 year ago

It's hard to give up favorite shirts even with holes in them and a quite few. I got a Tshirt on my 30th birthday that said 30th on it. I was in my 40s before giving it up

0points

Mary ey? 1 year ago

4points

Victoria 1 year ago

Worldwide extreme poverty has considerably been reduced in the last 30 years. Mostly because of China and India, but still.

1point

Kraneia The Dancing Dryad 1 year ago

4points

Angie Falzarano 1 year ago

0points

John L 1 year ago

Sorry, but I do a lot of these and I didn't grow up poor, but I am a cheapskate....

4points

Kalleanon 1 year ago

2points

LordSiravant 1 year ago

Agreed 100%. But a lot of boomers sneer at that because of the bootstraps mentality. Even as they collect their paychecks from the very same social programs they hate so much.

1point

Ray Arani 1 year ago (edited)

2points

BluEyedSeoulite 1 year ago

Buying name brands. I still refuse to buy name brand cereal. It's usually packaged at the same place anyway

2points

Noho 2000 1 year ago

2points

Angie Falzarano 1 year ago

My great aunt did this too and she too grew up during the depression and wwii

0points

W0lfiest W0lfAlive 1 year ago

My grandma used to save tinfoil. She'd rinse it off and use it again. She'd save slivers of soap bars. Just about anything that could possibly be reused was reused.

2points

zena bena 1 year ago

2points

BluEyedSeoulite 1 year ago

This is either a great match or very a frustrating match

1point

Craig Silberman 1 year ago

2points

Auntriarch 1 year ago

It goes in phases

5points

Peppy 1 year ago

Sign of the times

1point

W0lfiest W0lfAlive 1 year ago

If it gets them traffic (aka money), they will keep doing it.

0points

Alice Liddell 1 year ago

I have thick, curly, hair, but I keep my head shaved because hair products are a luxury and there are more important things to spend money on.

1point

Reece Aster 1 year ago

This was kind of mentioned, but the amount of electricity, water, gas someone wastes in a home. Not just true of poor, but can be a sign.

1point

Angie Falzarano 1 year ago

1point

Victoria 1 year ago

1point

Erica Politica 1 year ago

1point

Kenneth Brown 1 year ago

You know those suburbs where all the houses look the same? Those are like my dream homes.

1point

Neuropotathy 1 year ago

Rolls on the floor cries a lot.

1point

R Dennis 1 year ago

1point

boredkitten 1 year ago (edited)

1point

boredkitten 1 year ago

1point

Lady of the Mountains 1 year ago

0points

Susan Stead 1 year ago

0points

LordSiravant 1 year ago

Oh, there's a lot of that. Most people just don't want to start fights over it because rich folks WILL get offended.

0points