30 People Who Grew Up Poor Explain The Things That Rich Kids Would Never Understand

I didn't grow up poor, but we didn't have money to waste and picked the nice things we spent it on carefully. I still feel guilty for treating myself, even though I can afford it, and I never really go wild, apart from once, when I bought my classic!

Exactly. We were very poor growing up and I'm still poor now but maybe not as bad as it used to be. I can afford small comforts occasionally... But usually when I go shopping for anything not absolutely needed I will put items in my cart and by the time I get to the register I've put the items back because I talked myself out of it. I don't really NEED it, save that money for an emergency.

Being truly hungry is a kind of pain that is indescribable to people who have never experienced it, and when you know what it feels like you never want to experience it again. You don't just eat when you're hungry - you eat because you know you will be hungry later, and the little voice tells you there might not be food later.

From just window shopping, buying the basics, putting rest of money away til next pay day because you never know, now it’s just nice grabbing what I need with out just having to do that, but hardships teaches you

Poverty sucks :I

GirlFriday

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This is so true! Once I got my first "good" job, I got myself in financial trouble because I could finally have the things I wanted. The problem was, I wanted too many things. I have matured a lot since then and am responsible with money now, but for a few years, I wrecked my credit rating and really messed up my life.

It varies. My wife grew up with very insecure finances, partly because of low income, and partly because her dad is a financial moron. She intentionally married a tightwad (me) and is very intentional about her spending.

I can relate a bit. I didn't grew up poor really, but there were many things we couldn't do or have but others got it with no problem. Still my parents gave their best and i honor it very much :)

I agree that money comes & money goes AND that ppl/relationships are what make life worth living but it's hard to have ppl in your life & successful relationships without having money. Even a little money makes a HUGE difference... Going out to eat? Sure, I'll come along, want to catch a movie? Absolutely! That stuff can't happen without money.

True. I have more than enough money to treat myself, but I just can't stomach the prices of things.

This is me but I can’t figure out what’s the higher quality! It’s a new world for me so I can’t tell whose actually high qualify and their products will last forever, or whose using it as a marketing ploy. Cloths, furniture, linens, everything.

This

Well done, Emma, but unfortunately not everyone is able to break the cycle, and genetics has a lot to do with it. Chances are, if you were born into poverty you will eventually end up poor, even if you make and lose a ton of money on the way.

The Sam Vimes theory of social inequality. A rich man has $200 to spend on a pair of boots that last 20 years and a poor man can only afford a $50 pair that lasts 9 months. After 20 years, the rich man spent $200 and the poor man spent over $1300.

This was written by a well paid doctor. A poor person doesn't have 10% discretionary income to put in a savings account. Poor people pay $375 to borrow $300 for 30 days so they can pay a dentist. They need that $300 because their last $1 went to groceries for the kid and they are still skipping meals to feed the kid.

Im starting to realize I would rather have less stuff now that I’m older. I don’t need all the c**p I have so why spend money on it? I try to spend money on little treats that get used up so I’m not acquiring heaps of random c**p I forget about after a few months that just sits there.

Sadly, we live in a world of food deserts. Fresh fruits & vegetables aren't affordable or accessible for poorer people, while convivence stores selling junk food are readily at hand.

I do this. I buy things I want but always on sale for next to nothing

Wonderful Mindset! I wish I'd done that. I grew up poor too, got made fun of for not having the popular clothes and such. So when I had my son I went overboard. Bought him everything. His first Christmas looked like Toy's 'R Us had exploded in the living room. (Yes, I'm that old). When he got older I worked two jobs sometimes to afford all the newest game systems and the games. 1,000's of dollars. And now that he's grown the memories he talks about are things we did together, not things I bought. To have had that mindset and lived simpler, put extra money into savings for the future and lived within my means. Spent more time at home and less time working for extra money, honestly trying to fill a hole in myself and what I missed out on. If only we could get the chance to do it all again!. Hopefully someone reading these will take it to heart and know that living a life with the things you need and being grateful is so much better than being stressed and feeling like it's not enough.

This is missing it's continuation: "Because they are used to not having much money, they want to take advantage when they do. They often have a “live in the here and now” philosophy because you never know what tomorrow will bring. They are also extremely generous because they want everyone to have a good time"

It’s always safe to assume whatever system paradigm youre in, it’s been created intentionally to f**k you over. Always even the idea of the American dream is a sales pitch. So do the opposite always - never follow Crowds and if you can don’t have children, the ultimate trap. If you have kids you will work until you die that is the set up; they will grow up damaged and will be fed to the system.

Debbie Nicholson

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My ex didn’t believe in them and we were supposed to live off one salary for the last 20 years and save that for retirement. No one thought he’d want a divorce after I had been at home with the kids for many years (not contributing to Social Security), and his six figure job would be outsourced! So after 24 years of marriage, going through divorce, bankruptcy, foreclosure, and surviving my oldest son’s suicide, I too am totally relying on Social Security. It’s not the worst thing I’ve been through in my life.

Excellent! It's important to see how small amounts of money add up.

Minimum wage jobs don't have 401k plans and you can't put aside 10% when your monthly paycheck is less than rent.

Rich Dad, Poor Dad taught me to only invest in assets. It has served me well for what money I've had to deal with.

That's too easy to access, you need an account which penalises you for taking money out quickly. Do a 14/21/30 day to get your money savings account and you won't realistically touch it until you really need it.

Shoes and jackets and jeans are the only clothing items that my family ever spent "more" on. Some of my jeans are 25+ years old, and look like new because they are quality. I inherited my dads old leather bomber jacket ($700 in 1987 money) 4 years ago, and it's flawless. I have several pairs of 15-20 year old sneakers that are still in rotation. Everything else is thrift store purchases, and in romania that means paying literal pennies for some articles of clothing. My wife and i will spend $30-$50 every month or two hitting thrift stores, and walk out with half a dozen outfits each. We donated about 80% of our wardrobe to Ukrainian charities over the past couple months (where we normally donate the same amount around christmas each year)

That's because all of your NEEDS are being taken care of by your not poor family. You are earning "fun money"

One skill developed from years of being poor that always freaks people out..whenever i go grocery shopping, i mentally compute how much i'm spending as i put stuff in my basket, so when i get up to the register, i already have the exact change counted out and put it on the counter before i start packing stuff away. A bonus of doing this, is Romanian prices in stores aren't always updated on the shelves, only in the computer. So any time the bill is more, it's much easier to point out the overpriced item, which they then have to honor the advertised price.

There are so many things where spending more is directly related to quality. Tools, shoes, certain electronics, appliances, various furniture options. Le Creuset cookware, yes you can get something that performs similarly for 1/3rd the price....but Le Creuset has a lifetime guarantee All you have to do is send them a picture of the damaged item, and they will replace it no questions asked, and you don't even have to return the damaged item. There is no hard and fast rule that applies to everything, you actually have to be willing to do the research and honestly assess your needs.

I NEED to spend $20 on a single toy so my child gets at least something for Christmas. It means I don't eat lunches until payday but my child deserves joy. I WANT to pay the $5K I still owe for a medical bill but I only have $20.

Poor people don't have 401k's.

they have privileged financial status, so that's more like a counter-example.

If poor people had real-estate to measure would they still be in that category? Im pretty sure poor people rent.

what a jerk! so the poor are bad people, right? suck it, monster!