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35 Habits People Developed Because They Are Poor That Others Might Not Have Thought About
Interview With Author
If you grew up in a low-income household, you probably learned from a very young age how to spot the best deals in the grocery store. You also might be used to eating much less fresh produce towards the end of the month and being extremely kind to your landlord to ensure that they won't evict you if your rent arrives a few days late.
There are plenty of “poor person habits” that are perfectly normal when you’re used to them, but the reality is that wealthy people live in a parallel universe where they never have to worry about these things. Reddit users have recently been discussing some of their own experiences that the rich wouldn’t be able to relate to, so we’ve gathered their thoughts below. Keep reading to also find conversations with the person who started this thread and Johnny "FD" Jen, and be sure to upvote the replies that feel extremely familiar to you!
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#1
Wait. For everything. Wait for the bus to arrive, bc it’s always late. Take longer to travel farther to the cheaper store. Wait at the laundromat for your clothes to finish. Not only that, but the frequency of these waits is also higher, because you don’t have a car or money to be able to buy things in bulk or transport large amounts of clothing. It is time consuming af.
Board Pan, duh. 1 week ago
Or waiting.. to buy an item you need or want. Always prioritizing and going without. Waiting while you save or for the right time. When you are rich...you want something, you can buy it without the wait.
RELATED:
#2
Calculating the items in your cart before going to checkout.
#3
Putting up with insanely horrible work conditions and harassment, knowing quitting is not an option.
Dr Jimmy 03 1 week ago
Yeah, well-heeled folks have no read on this. Best of hopes for you, hermano/hermana.
To find out how this conversation started in the first place, we reached out to Reddit user Gotwire, who posed the question: "What is something that poor people do that rich people are oblivious to?" They were kind enough to have a chat with Bored Panda and explain why this thread began.
"With the disparity between the haves and have nots coming more into public light recently, I thought about how disconnected the rich must be from the rest of us," they shared. "But how exactly? What’s the reality - how little do the rich not understand the plight of the poor? How so?"
#4
Saw a tweet shared that I can't ever forget discussing this very thing. The gist:
People that don't keep fast food napkins in the glove box to use as tissues are in a totally different tax bracket.
#5
Make or turn down plans based around the cost of restaurants/activities/cover.
Snazzy Smurf 1 week ago
Feigning ill to cover up the fact you can't afford extracurricular events.
#6
Don’t travel. The amount of people who are amazed when I say I haven’t flown on a plane blows my mind. People do not realize how much money/privilege it takes to travel at all, let alone on a yearly basis.
We also asked the author about some things they do that rich people don't have to worry about "Thinking about the price before doing/ordering/buying anything," they noted. "Price being a factor in activities, meals, purchases."
But Gotwire says that they wouldn't necessarily live any differently even if they had more money. "Personally, I wouldn’t be able to shake my habits if I were to become rich. And that’s what separates some of the rich out there from others," they shared. "Those who didn’t come from money, I suppose."
#7
Adding potatoes to meals not because it belongs in a recipe, but because it's very filling and can stretch the meal to more portions.
#9
Live with f****d up teeth because they have high copays and low annual maximums and can barely afford to even get cavities filled.
Rich people get extremely competitive health, vision, and dental plans, so they don’t have to think twice. They need care? They get it.
I have a rotten tooth that needs to be surgically extracted, need several root canals and crowns, need tons of cavity fillings, and have congenitally missing teeth. I can get the extraction (+bone graft and implant) and handle one cavity before I hit my annual maximum.
I floss and brush twice a day, I just have weak enamel and haven’t been able to afford dental care in a while. And the missing teeth? Sorry. It’s congenital/pre-existing so they don’t have to cover it.
No, Karen, I’m not doing d***s. God, people lose interest in talking to me the instant they notice my teeth (especially hiring managers). I start to smile as the conversation gets good and suddenly the light just leaves their eyes. It’s *humiliating.*.
As far as what the OP thought of the replies to their post, Gotwire said they were overwhelming and eye opening. "I was most surprised to see how many people have trouble meeting regular bills on a monthly basis - shuffling around whatever they could," they told Bored Panda. "But most of all, how many people's eating is impacted by poverty. Grocery shopping. Meals. Basic nutrition."
#10
Choosing to put up with pain and not going to the doctor because you can't afford the bill.
Steve Sharpe 1 week ago
God bless murrica I guess... if "freedom" is paying $3,000 for a doctors appointment to save you from paying 0.01¢ towards someone else's, I'm quite happy living in the "oppressive communist hellhole where people have no rights", a.k.a. Europe (or anywhere else in the civilised world for that matter). NOTE: I say this against the country and the system of government, not necessarily all of the people.
#11
Shop at different groceries for different items because they are cheaper at other places.
Lester the Space Duck 1 week ago
My water heater began leaking two weeks before Thanksgiving. I bought the new tank and some fittings from Lowes because shipping was free. Some other fittings from Amazon because they cost less. The drain pan from Home Depot because shipping was free (they were charging $55 to deliver the heater, yet Lowes was charging $15 to deliver the pan).
#12
Rich people seem to confuse not having money to do something with not wanting to waste money on something.
No, it's not that I don't want to order pizza because I'm stingy, I literally don't have the money.
"I cannot fathom being rich and not wanting to elevate and help those with less," the author continued. "Greed, the need for more and more, is just astounding. How much wealth does one really need at the end of the day?"
Finally, Gotwire added that the definition of poor has changed. "While there are truly poor people, even middle class can feel poor now. Due to the high cost of living, and stagnant wages."
#13
Save grocery store plastic bags to use as a trash can liner.
Huddo's sister 1 week ago
We never bought garbage bags until the government banned single use plastic bags in stores. Even then, we have a stash of bags from when we have forgotten to take reusable bags in.
V 1 week ago
We got a bin that uses bread or produce bags. It's small so we have to empty it frequently, but that's not the end of the world we have found ourselves finding ways to reduce waste so we don't have to take it out every day.
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Debby Keir 6 days ago
Perhaps spending a dollar and get reuseables. Bags aren't free in most of the world cos they care about plastic waste.
Campy 6 days ago
They banned them in most of Canada. So now, instead of at least putting them to some use, I buy plastic bin liners. The kind of well thought out environmental measures I've come to expect.
Betsy S 6 days ago
I buy bin liners now too instead of using plastic grocery bags, but the bin liners I buy are compostable, so there is still a net improvement.
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Regina Holt 4 days ago
Those plastic bags are getting phased out where I live. Lots of people are using reusable bags rather than pay the five or ten cents to buy the plastic bags.
Melissa Schermerhorn 6 days ago
I've been poor, and this is just good sense. I have to order plastic t shirt bags now to scoop litter. Miss free plastic bags
Sand Ers 4 days ago
Have you considered using something besides a plastic bag? Humanity muddled along for millennia without them, so I suspect there are alternatives.
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Sand Ers 4 days ago
But if you were rich you wouldn't have to. And if you grew up that way, there's a good chance the efficiency of repurposing things would never cross your mind.
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Jessica SpeLangm 6 days ago
It's smart to reuse them, but those single use plastic bags are NOT environmentally wise. They take a VERY long time to break down but never completely decompose.
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#14
Skipping meals so their children can eat.
Jenna Kay 6 days ago
Cammy seems to believe that no one loses their job after having kids (thank you corporations who offshore entire departments) or that birth control works 100% of the time (cause clearly condoms never break, the pill is perfect, etc.). Cammy, dear, I hope you never fall on hard times or end up with a surprise child - as your world will simply fall apart.
To gain even more insight into this topic, we also got in touch with Johnny "FD" Jen, an entrepreneur and blogger who has experienced life on multiple points across the financial spectrum. First, we wanted to know how his lifestyle was different when he was struggling to make ends meet.
"I started living as a minimalist, keeping my expenses low," he shared with Bored Panda. "I moved into a small 35sqm/375sqm apartment, started to cook at home and ate local food, and started to take public transport, walk, or scooter everywhere instead of owning a car. I still do all of those things today, but now enjoy the luxury of eating at nice restaurants, taking Uber, etc on occasion."
#16
When buying anything or paying a bill I automatically convert to how many hours of work it took to pay for it.
#18
Skipping on insulin to ration it. Mental health issues that go unchecked cause therapy is expensive. Turning down the heaters to save on heating costs.
Steve Sharpe 1 week ago
In my country people who need insulin or any other meds for diabetes get it free. Not just those on low incomes or state benefits, but anyone at all. Because people with the disease often have other health issues alongside it, they also get any and all other prescription medication for free too, as well as free dental care, operations and prosthetics, free eyecare including glasses, free podiatry, hosiery and specialised footwear, hearing care, hearing aids or implants... Not a criticism or attack, but I'm amazed that the US hasn't launched either a civil war or a coup d'état against the system of governance in general over this kind of thing
So would Johnny recommend changing your habits if you find yourself with more money? "It's best to slowly increase your lifestyle budget as you earn more money, it's a reward," he noted.
"However, you should keep the percentage of earned income low. For an example, when I was earning $1,000 a month living in Thailand, I only spent $250 a month on rent," he explained. "When I started an online business that started earning $10,000 a month, I upgraded to a much nicer condo, which increased my rent to $450 a month, but it was still a small percentage of my income."
"Now that I'm financially secure, I should allow myself to spend more and stop being so frugal," Johnny continued. "As after having $1M invested, it can just grow on its own, even if you don't ever penny pinch to add to the pot each month."
#19
Say you already ate, just to join your friends out, to feel normal for a minute, without making things awkward.
Finally, we asked Johnny if he believes wealthy people can ever truly understand what it's like to be poor. "No, they can't learn something that they've only seen on TV or read about. I think everyone should feel what it's like to live on a strict budget for at least a period in their lives, as it creates an appreciation for money, discipline, and empathy for those without it," he shared.
#22
Having a bad month or pay period and having to sell off home appliances to make rent/mortgage. (happened growing up).
#23
It’s really difficult to get rid of clothes you don’t wear often or other stuff in a store room because if you don’t have much money you may need them in the future.
#24
Ignoring random calls from numbers you don't recognize knowing there's a high chance they are debt collectors.
Googling these numbers, confirming them then adding their whole range of numbers to your block list because you don't have any money to offer and aren't in the position to even loose $10pw to pay them.
But that doesn't mean that people of a lower socioeconomic status have to stay there forever. "The opposite is also true. Poor people can't understand why rich people don't just give away their money either," Johnny added. "We're lucky to live in an age where anyone with access to information, the internet, and technology can create their own paths. Similar to how I have, from going up in a poor immigrant family, to starting an online business while living frugally, to now having over $1 million in retirement savings."
#25
Adding water to the last bit of dish soap to make it last longer.
This woman I worked with who clearly never struggled was yelling about how gross that was.
#27
Drive with an engine light on.
Lester the Space Duck 1 week ago
I'm almost 42, and until four years ago, I never even had a matching set of tires on any vehicle I owned.
#28
- The amount of time you'll take to decide which expensive thing to buy, because you only get one chance at this, and it'll only happen once in your life, most likely.
- The amount of s**t you'll save (boxes, soap, bubblewrap, bags, freebie-whatevers) just because it's easier to save it, than buy it.
- You learn a LOT about how to fix your own s**t, when you can't afford to pay someone to fix it for you.
nottheactualphoto 1 week ago
I got to be a reasonably competent DIY plumber and electrician. Currently repairing the stove.
#29
Getting threats of eviction
Getting lights cut off
Worry about where their child will go to school
Shopping for themselves.
#31
Turn off the lights whenever you leave a room. Turn down the heat in winter, and up the AC in summer ….
#32
Taking less than your prescribed dosage of meds to try to ration them and save money
Once I had no money and I had to go to the urgent care to get some stitches removed, but remembering the $20 copay I opted to just take them out myself.
#33
Go to food banks
Commuting by bus EVERY day.
Shop at thrift stores out of necessity
Don't go to Taylor Swift concerta
Deep cleaning their house by themselves
Own the same car for over 10 years.
#35
Only buying certain grocery items when they’re on sale e.g. chocolate.
What do you think ?
Dog Mom to Zoe 1 week ago
This was painful to read. No one should ever live like this. We are doomed.
Lee Gilliland 5 days ago
Of course we're not doomed, don't be silly. Every single one of these were luxuries fifty years ago.
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LaserBrain 6 days ago
A lot of these are just common sense, like don't waste electricity, save plastic bags for re-use, shop wisely etc. That's how I was brought up anyway.
Kitty Fairycat 5 days ago
It's a shame and bad irony that you have to pay for premium to continue reading THIS article.
T'Mar of Vulcan 6 days ago
Counting change on the counter and then having to put things back. Or, running two debit cards through at the till a few rand at a time hoping that you can get everything.
Mike F 1 week ago
I had to get a phone a couple of years ago so I thought I would try a new carrier while I was at it. I got a trial kit for Mint Mobile (sim and 7-8 day plan for $12-15. I really like it, 5g service all around the area, 5 gigs per month runs $150 a year. That's a savings of over $50 a year with Straight Talk.
Gabby M 6 days ago
I recall my Gran saving foil, string, glass containers etc. Reusing perfectly good supplies has made a comeback unfortunately out of necessity.
Load More Replies... Liz The Biz 4 days ago
Learning what you can manage without. Having to choose between one thing or another because you can't afford both.
Uncle Schmickle 4 days ago
Out of all these, the inability to afford health care is the worst. As I stated in a comment, affordable health care is a basic human right.
Nils Skirnir 5 days ago
Having lunch being office coffee with 3-4 free cream and 3-4 free sugar packs.
Jude Laskowski 4 days ago
I brought a jar of instant coffee, creamer and sugar to work, as we have a microwave in our break room. I always made a sandwich for lunch, so I didn't have to buy it in the cafeteria. Before I retired, I converted a coworker to bring in his own coffee.
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sandrabmorison 6 days ago
I understand a lot of this.....no money growing up. So now I take time to appreciate what I could give my family and myself now.
Ruth Watry 9 hours ago
I grew up working class poor (without fishing and gardens we would not have had 3 meals a day). I still feel guilty when I don't completely empty a jar of peanut butter or mayonnaise, and keep my heat at 68 degrees F.
Sand Ers 4 days ago
A truly impressive number of commenters here are just as obtuse as the rich who are the topic. No, your habits of frugality, efficiency, and avoiding waste are not inherent or universal. You learned them from somebody somewhere. It might never occur to a person who grew up immersed in plenty that there is any reason to extract two extra days from a tube of toothpaste. They squeeze until it stops being easy, and then they discard that tube and take a fresh one out of the drawer. Because the toothpaste fairy keeps the drawer stocked, and it never crosses their mind to wonder how that is. It just is, just like there is a floor below them and sheets on their bed. I realized one day, while examining underwear as I folded it to see if any were so used up they needed to be discarded. There are guys out there who never wear socks or undershorts twice. The underwear fairy keeps their drawer stocked with new ones, and collects and discards the used ones every day from wherever they were left.
Jude Laskowski 4 days ago
My friends and I are retired, but not rich considering the amount of inflation. We meet once a month for a meal, but no longer for dinner. Now, we find restaurants that serve breakfast and lunch, and we each usually take home half the food we ordered, so we have dinner also.
Sand Ers 3 days ago
"Not being wasteful" is something rich people don't have to think about. That's the entire point.
Load More Replies... Dog Mom to Zoe 1 week ago
This was painful to read. No one should ever live like this. We are doomed.
Lee Gilliland 5 days ago
Of course we're not doomed, don't be silly. Every single one of these were luxuries fifty years ago.
Load More Replies... LaserBrain 6 days ago
A lot of these are just common sense, like don't waste electricity, save plastic bags for re-use, shop wisely etc. That's how I was brought up anyway.
Kitty Fairycat 5 days ago
It's a shame and bad irony that you have to pay for premium to continue reading THIS article.
T'Mar of Vulcan 6 days ago
Counting change on the counter and then having to put things back. Or, running two debit cards through at the till a few rand at a time hoping that you can get everything.
Mike F 1 week ago
I had to get a phone a couple of years ago so I thought I would try a new carrier while I was at it. I got a trial kit for Mint Mobile (sim and 7-8 day plan for $12-15. I really like it, 5g service all around the area, 5 gigs per month runs $150 a year. That's a savings of over $50 a year with Straight Talk.
Gabby M 6 days ago
I recall my Gran saving foil, string, glass containers etc. Reusing perfectly good supplies has made a comeback unfortunately out of necessity.
Load More Replies... Liz The Biz 4 days ago
Learning what you can manage without. Having to choose between one thing or another because you can't afford both.
Uncle Schmickle 4 days ago
Out of all these, the inability to afford health care is the worst. As I stated in a comment, affordable health care is a basic human right.
Nils Skirnir 5 days ago
Having lunch being office coffee with 3-4 free cream and 3-4 free sugar packs.
Jude Laskowski 4 days ago
I brought a jar of instant coffee, creamer and sugar to work, as we have a microwave in our break room. I always made a sandwich for lunch, so I didn't have to buy it in the cafeteria. Before I retired, I converted a coworker to bring in his own coffee.
Load More Replies... sandrabmorison 6 days ago
I understand a lot of this.....no money growing up. So now I take time to appreciate what I could give my family and myself now.
Ruth Watry 9 hours ago
I grew up working class poor (without fishing and gardens we would not have had 3 meals a day). I still feel guilty when I don't completely empty a jar of peanut butter or mayonnaise, and keep my heat at 68 degrees F.
Sand Ers 4 days ago
A truly impressive number of commenters here are just as obtuse as the rich who are the topic. No, your habits of frugality, efficiency, and avoiding waste are not inherent or universal. You learned them from somebody somewhere. It might never occur to a person who grew up immersed in plenty that there is any reason to extract two extra days from a tube of toothpaste. They squeeze until it stops being easy, and then they discard that tube and take a fresh one out of the drawer. Because the toothpaste fairy keeps the drawer stocked, and it never crosses their mind to wonder how that is. It just is, just like there is a floor below them and sheets on their bed. I realized one day, while examining underwear as I folded it to see if any were so used up they needed to be discarded. There are guys out there who never wear socks or undershorts twice. The underwear fairy keeps their drawer stocked with new ones, and collects and discards the used ones every day from wherever they were left.
Jude Laskowski 4 days ago
My friends and I are retired, but not rich considering the amount of inflation. We meet once a month for a meal, but no longer for dinner. Now, we find restaurants that serve breakfast and lunch, and we each usually take home half the food we ordered, so we have dinner also.
Sand Ers 3 days ago
"Not being wasteful" is something rich people don't have to think about. That's the entire point.
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