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In America, nearly 11 million children are poor. That’s 1 in 7 kids, who make up almost one-third of all people living in poverty in this country. After growing up, none of those kids take things for granted, and they can clearly see the obvious prerogatives that the privileged and rich are lucky to have.
So when someone posed a question to people “who grew up poor, what do you associate with being rich?” on r/AskReddit, it immediately turned into an eye-opening thread. Below we selected some of the most interesting and thought-provoking responses that make us question simple things like going to Disneyland, buying new, not used furniture, and not having to dread grocery shopping.
Scroll down below, and after you’re done, be sure to check out our previous post with small subtle things about wealthy people that scream they are insanely rich.
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#1
Eating pizza because you want to not because it's $2. That and mom eating along with us normally instead of pretending that the crust is her favorite part and that's why she'd eat the crust we leave.
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#2
There's a line from Nick in new girl that describes being well off as 'filling your gas tank up all the way rich.' That was the rich I wanted to be. Comfortable. Also not having to do math in the grocery store to see what food you can buy.
Bored Panda reached out to the Redditor Awkward_Name5898 who said that “being able to buy something you need without having to ask yourself how badly you need it” is something they associate with being rich.
When asked what was the hardest part of growing up poor, the Redditor was honest to say that it was the “feeling like you’ve failed, you think you’ll always be poor and won’t be able to get yourself out of that situation.” They also added that “as a kid, I remember feeling like a burden and that was hard to deal with.”
#4
Having enough money to go to a psychologist for mental health.
#5
Hiring moving men. Especially if they're the ones who pack all your s**t for you, too.
So many times, I would borrow a friend's pickup (and buy my friend's help with offers of pizza and beer) to move from one s**tty place to another.
For my most recent move, my wife and I packed everything, but hired professionals to load and unload it. I felt like a king.
#6
Being able to buy something you need without having to ask yourself how badly you need it
The Redditor shared that growing up on a tight budget made them learn some life hacks. “I did learn how to maximize my food purchases, if I was able to buy food I’d buy things that would have leftovers and be filling, Spaghetti noodles, instant mashed potatoes, hamburger helper or Mac n cheese if I had milk. I lived in a house that didn’t have AC, so in the spring/summer I’d get a towel, wet it, and then lay it over me to keep me cool, the house didn’t have blinds so I used foil to cover the windows to keep out the sun and help keep the room cooler,” they recounted.
#7
Indifference. I realized what real wealth meant in high school when we cleaned up trash from a creek and the rich kids wore their Polo shirts, Guess jeans, and Jordan's because if they were trashed they simply would get new. The poor kids wore their grubby clothes they do labor in.
Wealth is shown most acutely by indifference, nothing matters because money will fix it and there is plenty enough to fill black holes.
#8
Having nice teeth that don't cause constant, debilitating pain
#9
Regular doctor's office visits or seeing a dentist at all for anything other than an emergency.
“The rich assume money isn’t an issue for anyone simply because they have lots of it. They tend to think that poor people stay poor because they don’t invest their money as they do,” the Redditor said. For anyone who’s struggling to make their ends meet, Awkward_Name5898 urges not to feel ashamed to ask for help. “People are more kind and generous than you might think. Hold onto hope, things won’t always be this way,” they concluded.
#10
Those fridges with the water dispenser on it
#12
Not knowing EXACTLY how much money you have at any given time.
#15
Going to a store to pick out furniture. Like, actually buying NEW stuff, not just taking whatever you can find at thrift stores or garage sales. That seems so luxurious!
#16
Hiring people to either cook, clean, mow the grass or do snow removal in the winter.
Showing my age but rich people didn't need lay away to afford back to school or Christmas shopping
I don't remember ever having name brand items, food or clothing. It was all generic Kmart. I bought my son a pair of Nike shoes and thought I felt rich for doing so.
BusLady 3 years ago
Going back to school was always embarrassing because the other kids had new supplies and we didn't. My mom did the best she could.Teachers would get onto us for not having things on the list and humiliate us in front of the other kids, and the other kids could be so mean. On the other hand, sometimes there would be a kind teacher who would discreetly hand me some things, or a fellow student who would share.
#17
Everyone having their own room. We all slept in a single room.
#18
Getting an appetizer and/or dessert at a restaurant in addition to an entree.
Niall Mac Iomera 3 years ago
Why do Americans call the main course an "entree"? It literally means 'entry', as in the first part of the meal.
#19
Parents that didn’t fight. Mine and my other poor friends’ parents were always fighting. Most of the time my parents fought it was over money. You could tell that they were just scared whether or not we were going to make it and that’s how it manifested. You just never really saw that same type of fighting at the friends parents who were comfortable.
Like obviously there’s more factors but there’s a unique chaotic tension in poor households that is hard to describe.
#20
Paying all your bills without eating Ramen noodles.
Chris Freeman 3 years ago
Lol, brings back a sharp memory of mine from college. One week before a paycheck or national guard check arrives, no gas in the tank, and absolutely no food. Scrounge around car seats and couch and find $1.35. Free pop at work so I work extra shifts, and walk to grocery store and Ramen on sale for 12 for a dollar, (1990). That is what I did all week, walk to school and work, and ate Ramen at home. I now appreciate having $20 in my pocket and credit cards. Its a life changing experience to be THAT broke. It teaches you discipline when it comes to money.
#21
Stairs. I've always lived in an apartment, so for me, I really hope that I'll one day have a house with stairs.
Also well balanced meals, three meals a day.
Samantha Lomb 3 years ago
After you fall down the stairs a couple of times ( particularly if you wear socks but no shoes) you will find they are overrated.
#23
Not having to worry about food or bills. Paying out of pocket at the dentist
#24
Being allowed to go in the fridge and get something to drink or eat without having to ask or worry about being yelled at
Holesalongthebottom 3 years ago
This was my entire childhood. A lot of “food” issues as a result of this.
#25
Fresh fruit and vegetables. Anything we ever got was frozen or from a can. Frozen and canned last longer too.
People that openly had fruit bowls on their tables was the epitome of lavish for me as a kid.
Dre Mosley 3 years ago
We only had that because we grew our own oranges, grapefruits, and peaches.
#26
Kids that went to summer camp. I got sent to long distant family and worked on family farm.
#27
Eating out. Birthday presents and Christmas presents that's not clothes or school supply. New clothes that's not hand me downs. And haircuts at a hair dresser.
#28
Having food delivered. $5-$10 mark up?? Are you kidding?
For that matter, just going OUT to eat was a luxury.
#29
Knowing what a duvet cover is and owning one. I remember when my wife and I were newly weds and she was telling me how we needed a duvet cover for our bed. I had no clue what a duvet cover was prior as I always though people just purchase sheets and/or the big ass blankets with the lion/tiger prints. Suffice to say, my mind was blown away.
#30
Showing my age but having a shower in your house. Back in the day only people with money had showers, we all only had baths.
What do you think ?
Caro Caro 3 years ago (edited)
I once heard someone say "If you have to ask the price then you can't afford it" and for some things it's true but it sounds very arrogant.
Aliquid 3 years ago
Many rich people are extreme penny pinchers... so I don't know if the saying is true or not. But I guess they don't HAVE to ask, they just choose to ask.
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DennyS (denzoren) 3 years ago
Anxiety caused by growing up poor is also such a big thing. Not wanting to do something or buy something because you're scared you wouldn't have enough in case something happens. This still plagues me to this day and I can't take risks or invest because of it.
Brian bell 3 years ago
This! The real damage is after growing up poor (we) continue to "think poor," and do things like settle for lower pay than we are worth, don't dare to spend money (the whole save it for a rainy day thing but it gets spent on fixing cars/ replacing appliances, so never ends up for fun)... Yeah, the poor thing is W A Y overrated, Highly NOT recommended!
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Lyone Fein 3 years ago
I am 58, and it has been many years since my desperately poor childhood. But those anxieties still reside in my personality. I can't stand it when anyone throws out food or leaves lights on when they leave the room or uses too much water for something, etc. It is definitely a neurosis.
Tami 3 years ago
The world would be such a better place if everyone stopped such wasteful habits! Regarding food, about 40% of food in the US is wasted. With such disregard being so commonplace, we can imagine how much of our other resources are wasted as well.
Load More Replies... Caro Caro 3 years ago (edited)
I once heard someone say "If you have to ask the price then you can't afford it" and for some things it's true but it sounds very arrogant.
Aliquid 3 years ago
Many rich people are extreme penny pinchers... so I don't know if the saying is true or not. But I guess they don't HAVE to ask, they just choose to ask.
Load More Replies... DennyS (denzoren) 3 years ago
Anxiety caused by growing up poor is also such a big thing. Not wanting to do something or buy something because you're scared you wouldn't have enough in case something happens. This still plagues me to this day and I can't take risks or invest because of it.
Brian bell 3 years ago
This! The real damage is after growing up poor (we) continue to "think poor," and do things like settle for lower pay than we are worth, don't dare to spend money (the whole save it for a rainy day thing but it gets spent on fixing cars/ replacing appliances, so never ends up for fun)... Yeah, the poor thing is W A Y overrated, Highly NOT recommended!
Load More Replies... Lyone Fein 3 years ago
I am 58, and it has been many years since my desperately poor childhood. But those anxieties still reside in my personality. I can't stand it when anyone throws out food or leaves lights on when they leave the room or uses too much water for something, etc. It is definitely a neurosis.
Tami 3 years ago
The world would be such a better place if everyone stopped such wasteful habits! Regarding food, about 40% of food in the US is wasted. With such disregard being so commonplace, we can imagine how much of our other resources are wasted as well.
Load More Replies... Related on Bored Panda
