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Despite the strong job market, most Americans don't have enough emergency savings. More than two-thirds of people in the US — 68 percent — say they're worried they wouldn't be able to cover their living expenses for just one month if they lost their primary source of income tomorrow, according to a recent Bankrate survey.

In part, this can be seen in the growth of the subreddit 'Poverty Finance.' The firs time we wrote about it in 2021, the online community had 847K members. Now, the number has more than doubled, standing at 1.9 million. So since financial struggles have remained a pressing issue, we have decided to revisit this corner of the internet, and show you what the gang have been posting lately.

#3

To Be Honest

To Be Honest

Sonjoe_Kutuh Report

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Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
Community Member
7 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Money buys survival. Try being happy when you're starving to death in the middle of the street. "Nobody wants to work anymore". NO! We never WANTED to work. We work because dying of poverty is the ONLY other alternative for most of us.

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#4

This Post Brought To You By My Third "New" Tire This Year Since I Can't Afford A Full Set

This Post Brought To You By My Third "New" Tire This Year Since I Can't Afford A Full Set

reddit.com Report

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Ken Beattie
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd never buy one tire (unless I had one ruined by a puncture). It's always better to buy two at a time otherwise the wear is unbalanced and they don't last as long. It really sucks if you can't afford to do that :(

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#5

I Think About It Every Day Too, But For Different Reasons

I Think About It Every Day Too, But For Different Reasons

jfitzgeraldMD Report

#7

Checks Out

Checks Out

Harvest_Official Report

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Ken Beattie
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a catch 22 for the banks though. They've come under fire for lending too much, too easily to people who can't service the loans (or at least have difficulty doing so). So refusing to lend people money if they'd struggle to pay it off is actually them being *more* ethical. So refuse to lend, they're bastards for refusing. Merrily lend, they're bastards for foreclosing on people when they can't pay. The killer is, as it's always been saving that damned deposit. The biggest problem is inflation has made the deposit so big it's almost unachievable :(

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#9

When This Hits

When This Hits

Money_Muffin_8940 Report

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Passerby
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have always wanted to win an appliance. I like getting useful gifts. Ironically, when I enter a raffle or a lucky draw, I usually win something I can't use myself. So far, I have won a cd from famous artists who I don't even like, so many dolls, a photo album of japanese boy bands whose name I don't even know, a bicycle that is far too small for me, a woman blouse (I am a man) and other things I can't quite remember. The most useful thing I have ever won is an electric kettle.

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#10

Can Anyone Explain Where My Starbucks Money Is Going?

Can Anyone Explain Where My Starbucks Money Is Going?

MattBellassai Report

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#12

Goddamnit

Goddamnit

fisaliavip Report

#14

It's A Real Struggle Out Here. We Barely Make Enough To Support Ourselves

It's A Real Struggle Out Here. We Barely Make Enough To Support Ourselves

baktanra Report

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PlatinumThe8-BitCat
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why do they need to be replaced!? And there’s enough people here already, more than enough in fact

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#15

Sad In A Way You Just Gotta Laugh It Off As You Take It

Sad In A Way You Just Gotta Laugh It Off As You Take It

InterestSharp4724 Report

#16

Guy I’m Talking To Told Me This: Thought It Belonged Here

Guy I’m Talking To Told Me This: Thought It Belonged Here

Stock_Seaweed_5603 Report

#17

Ridiculous

Ridiculous

JoshuaPHilll Report

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David A Paterson
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Federal minimum wage in my country is USD $15 an hr. Average monthly rent here is USD $1,575. It really amazes my why anyone would want to migrate to the US.

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#18

Hm

Hm

TheCatWhisprer Report

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Ken Beattie
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is that even possible though? There's just something about seeing a lounge, or dinner table or whatever sitting on the curb that screams "you should check that out" no matter how well off you are.

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#20

Every. Freaking. Time

Every. Freaking. Time

ronnieth024 Report

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Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's the water bill for me. For some reason the city only bills us quarterly for water and that means an automatic $150+ bill every three months. I don't know why they do this. They don't know why they do this, but it just is how they do this.

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#21

Accurate, I Love Spending Time At Home

Accurate, I Love Spending Time At Home

depressed-n-awkward Report

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Phoenix
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Inside leads to online spending. I need to be outside, but not in public.

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#22

This Hit Close To Home

This Hit Close To Home

blueholeload Report

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Katie Lutesinger
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I never sign up for anything that asks for my bank account details, for this very reason.

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#23

Let The Good Times Roll

Let The Good Times Roll

deadTig Report

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Angi
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I lady I worked with was blown away when I cheerfully said I had enough money for the week and it was 7 dollars. My bills were paid and I had food so I was golden

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#24

Relatable

Relatable

OneSeries7449 Report

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BrookeBT
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've broken my body, never complained, never took time off when my back and knees hurt so bad I could barely walk so I'd seem like a dedicated employee only to have them hassle me when I needed a couple extra days after my dad died. 19 years at that company and I knew I had to get out of there. Take care of yourself. Work your scheduled hours, go home and have a life. Companies don't care about you no matter what BS they try and sell you. Self employed now - broke - but happy in what I do.

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#25

Who Made This Meme About Me ?

Who Made This Meme About Me ?

TyGeezyWeezy Report

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Very Normal Giraffe
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"If I sleep through the weekend, that's two whole days I do not have to worry about food, electricity, water, etc.."

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#27

Got Myself A Motivational Pin At The Thrift Store

Got Myself A Motivational Pin At The Thrift Store

chalbeetroll Report

#28

In Trying Times Like These, It's Important To Remember This Advice

In Trying Times Like These, It's Important To Remember This Advice

temp_plus Report

#29

I Used To Think Going To Macdonald’s When I Was Young Was Exquisite

I Used To Think Going To Macdonald’s When I Was Young Was Exquisite

bryan6363 Report

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Vasana Phong
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Going to the store and buying whatever you needed and add on whatever you wanted without counting and adding the total in your head

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DB
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Being able to pay for school lunch. The poor kids all got it for free. The middle-class kids had to bring lunch from home. If your parents could afford it you were loaded.

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Littlehand
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mom sewed for a rich lady. She had 3 daughters who were a couple years older than my 2 sisters and me. At summer's end, the girls got all new school clothes. The lady 'paid' my mom with their old clothes. They were beautiful and luxurious, like wool skirts and mohair sweaters. My mom was so happy to see us going to school in lovely clothes and proud that she was able to get them for us.

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BrookeBT
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always wanted a dog, but why should two of us be poor.

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Howl's sleeping castle
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Playing tennis, going to skating rinks, having meals at restaurant. Few things that only the super rich students did in my school. Its not that we never ate outside but it was more of snacks. An important meal like breakfast, lunch, or dinner would be always at home.

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TheBlueBitterfly
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Having a dishwasher. A freezer that makes ice. Appliances that aren't second-hand.

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Aubrie Allen
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Name brand anything! Eating out for a birthday without only going somewhere with a coupon.

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SmooshieFries
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

On my third date with my now husband, it was mid week so just a quick fast food dinner. Anyway, I told him Lets go to El pollo loco, I have coupons! He was shocked! His first wife always ordered the most expensive thing on any menu and never concerned herself about the price even when he asked her to. Me and my coupons impressed him that night that I wasn't a self-centered inconsiderate person.

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YouKiddingMe (hey you)
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Having "store bought" school clothes. My mom always made my school clothes when I was a young boy up until middle school. I remember once I wanted a Hang Ten shirt with the little embroidered feet on it when they first came out and my mom said "I'm not spending $10 on one shirt!". She could make me a whole school years worth of shirts for $10 back then.

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Der Kommissar
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A fridge. We had an icebox. (Yes, I'm old.) My aunt had a fridge. It had snacks. We didn't have snacks, either.

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Tiger Lilly
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Having an upstairs, having a garden, having your own room (my friend and her brother had separate play rooms, rooms that weren't their bedrooms just for toys and playing in!), not wearing hand me downs and having to wait till Christmas for something new. I could go on.

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Ken Beattie
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Nice" cars like Mercedes or BMW not standard ones like Ford or Toyota. Couple that with actually being able to buy a *new* car not a second hand one. That and owning a swimming pool.

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David A Paterson
Community Member
7 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The really rich kid in our street had Lego! And a "The cat in the hat" book. And clothes that weren't hand-me-downs from older cousins.

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Dawn Marie
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Going to the doctor. I wouldn't tell my folks I was burning up with fever because I knew we couldn't afford the doctor bill.

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Theo Blackwood
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Having a Sky Box. I was so happy when my dad got one. My weekends were the best.

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VioletHunter
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The girl in my class with her own horse. I thought she was rich. Certainly a little snob that one.

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Daria
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Being able to buy Kinder Eggs and Snickers bars. Also buying new clothes in my size. Traveling anywhere.

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Firefly1617
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Being able to have the "fancy" chocolate in the cupboard. It was stuff like Ferraro rocher and toblerone that I thought was fancy

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Passerby
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I thought the same about the fridge, but now it is the fridge with touch screen panel.

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Flisey
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

2 story house, ice cream that is any flavour but vanilla, packet cookies

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Michael P (Perthaussieguy)
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually, in England for many decades, it was usually cheaper to have a 2 story house than a bungalow, as you paid for half the land price for the same living area

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PlatinumThe8-BitCat
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’ve had water dispensers in my fridges my whole life, I never knew that they were considered a rich people thing, and my family is definitely not rich

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Ana
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Being able to wear clothes that actually fit. Something that was well tailored and looked really good. That's what "making it" looks like to me...

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Theresa van der Westhuizen
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Where I'm from, having a double storey house means you have money. Single storey houses are common and unappealing.

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Momma Panda
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Money for extracurricular activities, drawer full of sweets, travel, pool

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

A phone in the car. A white lounge suite you weren't allowed to sit on. Having cocktails.. my 8 yo brain thought that was little biscuits and avocado.

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Heze Alii
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Evidently most people think of a nice house. I thought for a long time that I lived in a mediocre house. Oh what a world friends take you to.

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Coyote Osborne
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Having more than one house. Having more cars than drivers. Having other people to pick up your mess and watch your kids. I never wanted those things, but that's what I thought rich people did.

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Catharina Geerts
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People who had a car. Or a trampoline in the backyard (I was born in the fifties)

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Agamemnon O'Neill
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Growing up in a bungalow, anyone who had bedrooms on an upper floor were really living! According to 8 year old me.

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Petra Schaap
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

going on holiday EVERY YEAR. (the neighbours went camping every year, just a 2 hr drive ahead) insane luxury!

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Dani Pret
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Going to Toys R Us. Just going inside would make me think I was rich!

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JP callaghan
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Grew up in 80s Scotland, having a big TV, a car and a sodastream were good indicators your dad wasn't one of the poor schmucks that couldn't find a job.

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IamMe
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Birthday parties with friends and classmates. I always hated being invited to them, because I had to bring a gift from the dollar store, and little girls can be very judgy. Our birthday parties consisted of family members eating homemade cake and ice cream. It must be very expensive to feed and entertain all those extra kids!

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Emma London
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Europe in the 80s: Well off: Microwave. Wealthy: VHS video recorder, Ferrero rocher and Mozart Kugeln (which meant your parents traveled abroad) Rich: Satellite channels!

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Jaaawn
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

LA Gear trainers with light up soles when you walk.

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Must Be Bored Again
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm in my 60's and still have never had a reason to have a passport. (US)

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Kyndal T
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A place to live. A fridge with food in it. Being able to go to school consistently. Being able to do extracurricular activities. Toys that didn't come out of the trash. Birthdays where you got some of your cake too. So many things I didn't know I wanted or needed but never had. I told my therapist that I'm checking out once my last pet kicks the bucket in about 10-12 years and she just nodded. She gets it.

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Emily
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Summer vacation: Other kids; just got back from Italy or Hawaii, Paris, Disney world… Me: Spent two weeks sleeping in a tent pretending to be homeless. At least I had some training!

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StrangeOne
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pools in the backyard. Having an upstairs level to the house.

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Colleen Glim
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a fridge with an ice maker/water dispenser. I got done with constantly having to refill ice trays that nobody else saw

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Cranky when UNcaffeinated
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Kids that didn't move schools every year. A permanent stable home... I'm 44 and still don't have it. But I never brought children into my mess. 😕

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Robert Beveridge
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I didn't realize it until I started house hunting, but my childhood really made me bank on the existence of haunted houses being sold for a song, and sticker shock is really setting in.

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Cass
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wealth was having store-bought stuff rather than homemade, repurposed, and hand-me-downs. We lived across the street from the store and I could see all the people leaving the store with full bags. We'd buy one or two things at a time, no need for a bag.

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Robyn H
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was a kid, having food on the table and being with my family made me feel rich.

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JLN
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fresh fruits and vegetables, most specifically mushrooms. Growing up we only ever had canned stuff and I hated them so much. I never knew how delicious produce was until I started buying fresh (or even frozen in off season)

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Miguel M.
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I couldn't believe some of my friends in junior high had their own rooms growing up. I slept in the living room on a roll out bed that was in the closet, my three sisters slept in the only bedroom.

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Vero SM
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Landline, in the 80s in my city not everybody has telephone at home

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Skip62
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A new box of 64(!) crayons DURING the school year. I couldn't even have that at the beginning of the year and you never got another box until next fall.

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#30

Me After Paying Rent And Bills This Month

Me After Paying Rent And Bills This Month

itsgoodsalad Report

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Alyssa Phillips
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My niece dating now--"you have the WHOLE basement to yourself....hey boy haaayyy"

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