How to be poor?

[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