How to be poor?

[crays]

We've been doing keto out here while working, and it's amazing how little calories I've been able to live off of when it's just fat and protein. A few days I've been around 500 calories all day, and definitely under 1,000. That's doing multiple inspections, carrying around a ladder, walking on roofs, sweating through my clothes 3 times a day, and not having A/C in my car to seek shelter in. Usually I'm ready to punch a nun and pass out from exhaustion by 10am of I haven't eaten. Instead I've been able to feel fine on hot bottled until well after noon. Best part, I haven't spent a dime on food beyond the $100 at the beginning of the week.
I don't know what happens when I run out of fat though.

Probably gas station sushi. That's when the real trouble starts... ;-p

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[Bailey Guns]

I'm certainly not poor, by any stretch.

The last few years of my marriage I made good money, ex made great money...$165k per year our last full year. If I wanted something, I bought it without even thinking about it for the last several years of our marriage. But, that all changed...

After the divorce, I didn't want to go back to work. That's how I wound up in OK. Cheap housing.

For the last year and a half I've lived off of 60% VA disability...$1131 month. Of course, I made sure all my debt was paid and I certainly don't live extravagantly. But I do live very comfortably. It's amazing how little one actually NEEDS in order to live a decent life. I don't know how old you are but my other advantage is I've had 60 years to accumulate things I've wanted and/or needed...tools, guns, ammo, etc. When I start collecting social security next year it'll be like winning the lottery!

The point is, you actually will need far less than you think if you prepare now. You may not have all you want but you'll have all you need. And if you prepare now, while you're younger, you'll be very comfortable in your later years.

If I didn't have 4 dogs to care for I'd be living like a king here. But then I wouldn't be nearly as happy.

[whitewalrus]

A big expense not mentioned was healthcare. Kids are always getting hurt or sick. so even if you think things with you will be fine, make sure you have some form of insurance.

Living poor really depends on how you have set yourself up and what poor is to you. If your house payment is very low or paid off, well it?s easier to live off less. And how poor are you talking? Federal poverty level? 40k/year?

Public services are always there for those willing to seek them. The problem is that the working poor don?t qualify for much. But should qualify for some, like some food banks often will still provide food if you just show up.


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[Irving]

I think the jist of the thread is that the US might fundamentally change for people who are not vaccinated. There won't be government assistance for the unwashed lepers.

[CS1983]

I think the jist of the thread is that the US might fundamentally change for people who are not vaccinated. There won't be government assistance for the unwashed lepers.

Yes.

I have some specific ideas on the sort of information I’m looking for but didn’t want to immediately box in the discussion.

Most of what was said so far is what we do anyway.

Personally, I’m wondering about money saving/extending techniques, tips, tricks.

For example one might know that Asian markets have better deals on rice than Walmart, but their produce or meat might be more expensive. So “buy rice in bulk” is a good idea, but “buy rice in bulk from the Asian market and you’ll save $3/per 50lb bag vs elsewhere.” Is something one wouldn’t know unless they know. I dunno if the example is true.

[Irving]

Mexican markets can have super cheap food as well, but it can be an eat it today or it goes bad thing. Certain products are better and cheaper, some are more expensive and worse. Same with the stores. My SIL drives from Aurora to Thornton to shop Mexican markets because the ones in Aurora are terrible, according to her.

[MrPrena]

Probably gas station sushi. That's when the real trouble starts... ;-p

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Gas Station sushi will have a net of negative calorie intake by diarrhea or throwing up.

[ChadAmberg]

There is a saying that being poor is expensive. And from those I know that are actual poor, that's true.

Food is more expensive, because when you don't have a kitchen, everything is take out, or premade food that gets microwaved but that isn't that cheap either.. at best they might have a minifridge and a hotplate, so there's no bulk buying.

They don't have enough income to show 3x the cost of rent, so they can't get an apartment. Only option is long term stay motels which are even more expensive. Hell, my tenant is a social worker for the county, has great credit, guaranteed income, all that great stuff. But because she's a social worker, her income isn't high enough for her to get an apartment that isn't a shithole anywhere around. So that's why she rents from me.

The lucky poor are so poor they get medicaid. I think the cutoff for eligibility for an adult is below what they'd get paid working fast food. Even getting a job makes them worse off unless they work so few hours it's barely worth it.

The ones that were in long term hotel tended to lose most of their possessions over and over because they'd have a sudden mandatory expense, which meant they couldn't pay rent that week. Out the door with just a few suitcases meant all the other stuff they had invested in lost it all.

[kidicarus13]

Good insight Chad.

[Delfuego]

Best way to be poor, is to be born poor. There is also "Broke", "Poor" and "Destitute". No single term can encapsulate it. If you have traveled the world (and parts of the US), you have likely seen all 3. We are talking about "tightening our belt", or budgeting, not being poor. I believe everyone should should live at or below their means, but I don't wish poor on anyone. I see more money wasted on automobiles in this country than anything. I think everyone should start there. If you cannot buy your car outright, can you really afford it? If you loose your job (or income), you loose your vehicle. If you loose your vehicle, you loose your ability to travel work. If you loose that, you are physically isolated. If there is no work by you, well...

Asian markets have better deals on rice than Walmart, but their produce or meat might be more expensive.

Their produce is cheaper, meat is comparable or more. Mexican and Middle Eastern markets have cheap meat. Eat more produce and staples, less meat. Meat is a luxury.

My SIL drives from Aurora to Thornton to shop Mexican markets because the ones in Aurora are terrible, according to her.

She doing it wrong, and wasting time, money and gas driving. I think she is going to the "fancy" Mexican grocery up north.

Good insight Chad.

Agreed