48 Poverty Habits That People Still Have Even Though They’re No Longer Broke

I've always found it difficult to let stuff go, but there have been numerous times when no sooner have I got rid of something I've needed it.

I have clothes from over 40 years ago, they will never fit, but they could be useful to someone I love one day.

Always.

That or add water to liquid soaps and detergents to extend the duration of its use.

Wut? That's just plain normal and rational.

I do this to this day and I wasn't raised poor, it just makes sense.

I know bar soap is much more sustainable than liquid soap, but I can't bear the feel of a wet soap bar!

Snackmachine

Snackmachine

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This is just the right way to do it.

You can buy the cheap-a*s one and have it last you five years. Or you can get a good one for not that much more that will last you twenty. "It's the cheapest man who pays the most."

It works for clothing, too. Basics that you know you will use for years? Buy good quality pieces in classic styles and colours. Spend the money! Fad item that’s just this season’s style? Get the off-brand.

Cost per use! It can be a great way to look at making larger purchases (as long as you're not using it as justification for buying expensive clothes, bags etc you can't afford *stares at people on Purseforum*) I paid sale price for a Le Creuset cast-iron dutch oven when I first moved out. On my salary at the time, it was several shifts worth, even on sale, and I squirrelled away until I could get it and I think it was meant to be, because it's in my favourite colour ❤️ That beastie gets used pretty much every time I cook something on the stove or something that goes into the oven that isn't like a pre-made thing you just bake. Highly recommend cast-iron if you cook enough to justify the cost. Even does bread!

Saving empty food containers, glass jam jars, ice cream tubs etc

This. I grew up in poverty and my husband also calls it "food hoarding". When Covid craziness caused grocery shortages, I became hysterical because it brought back all the feelings of childhood surrounding food.

I have always had a full dry goods store cupboard.

I always joke that I felt so American when I once bought a few dozen rolls of toilet paper during the pandemic. There just happened to be a sale at the store and toilet paper is so expensive in general, it was worth sacrificing some space to store all those rolls.

We have three major grocery stores near us. The sales always rotate, so we shop at them all at the same time. One loop, everything discounted.

I don't think there's anything wrong with that :) In fact, I think they do it on purpose. They're good containers...perfect for leftovers and lunches...also perfect for sending food home with someone...you don't have to worry about them bringing it back :)

I'm currently storing half of a beef brisket in the clear plastic box that cookies came in. Both are magically delicious.

I stopped because they're garbage plastic that dissolves into your food. Switched to all glass/metal containers. Definitely don't microwave those things.

The "Tupperware" lunch meat things are the same as the ones you can get 4 for $2. It makes sense to recycle. I also save them for when I make a 7 qt crockpot curry to share with coworkers so they don't have to return them. I keep my nice "Tupperware" to use for myself at home 👍🏼

When my financial situation was at its worst, I had no choice but to sell some of my possessions in order to pay a bill or buy food.

It has to be irreparable before I can let it go.

I feel seen.

I'd rather snuggle under a blanket than put the heating on and I often do.

I keep the heating at a steady 18° at mine... Socks and slippers and a cardigan and blanket are a good thing if it's a bit too nippy.

Warm bed in a cold room and I'm sleeping like a log.

My work colleagues look at me like I'm crazy if I have last night's leftovers for lunch or take a packed lunch. I used to work with someone who would start the day with a Starbucks or Costa Coffe which she would never finish. At lunch she went to sandwich bars, supermarkets, fast food restaurants or orderd on Just Eat and then she would take a couple of bites out of whatever she had just bought and the rest would end up in the bin. Afternoon was snack time. Again she would take a couple of bites of something and throw the rest away. Then she complained about not having any money.

I take my lunch to work almost every day. But isn't not go anything to do with cost. There's absolutely no way I'd want to eat out every lunch time.

I lost weight when I retired, despite having all day to feed my face. It was the fast food lunches.

It's also healthier and you can give yourself a better variety of foods if you're creative with it. Plus I don't want to waste my breaktime stuck in traffic or waiting in line somewhere.

An article just came out about microplastics in to go containers. That, plus it saves MEGA money and it can be healthier. I am frankly shocked by the amount of takeout the younger generation consumes rather than cooking at home.

Sometimes markets put stuff on sale because it is going bad. I bought some blackberries at a Sprouts once. that was my first and last visit to a Sprouts.

I always look for sales. I invested in a freezer for that purpose. Babyback ribs $2.99/lb? I'll take seven! Corn, 5 for $2? Gimme 15! But I also buy luxury items on sale, usually 50-80% off... Not designer clothes, useful things.

or second-hand

Yup. Everything I buy has to be on sale unless I absolutely cannot get it at a discounted price.

There are some food brands I wouldn't buy just because they are cheaper. I've tried many but don't like the taste. Why buy a food cheaper if you don't like it? But I'll definitely buy the brands I like on special in quantity.

Most of ALDI's stuff is pretty good. I keep a lot of their canned goods and not really too much difference between them and most name brands, I swear by Heinz ketchup but ALDI's Burman's is really just as good and less than half the price.

Have 2 of the same thing opened is just wasteful. What comes in handy to avoid waste is a vacuum sealer.

My husband does this and I always joke that he's saving for the Cold War.

They make clips that will reclose your chip bags.

This is about having common sense: I love ketchup, I could afford to buy a big bottle from the store, but I'm the only one eating it in my household. It's best for everyone (and the planet) if I ask for a few extra packets from the fast food place rather than buying a bottle and having it go bad before I even finished half of it.