You are spared from this:
“Most of American life consists of driving somewhere and then returning home, wondering why the hell you went.” - John Updike
Or “Derelique”
That explains the long-term trend of long hair.
I love John Updike. Have you ever read his My Petition For More Space?
My POS car never gets stolen or broken into.
No, I have not. Sounds like fun. Is it good?
You can laugh if your wallet is lifted, knowing that somewhere a pickpocket is very, very disappointed. Also, your poverty is visible enough or well established in the local neighborhod, all the local pickpockets, purse snatchers, and scam artists ignore you.
In the process of saving on your winter heating bill, you can also have all the free ice cubes that you want.
We’re keeping this idea in mind as we fix up our house and yard - I want the front yard to look clean and tidy, but I don’t want it to look too posh - no point advertising that you should look into robbing THIS house!
If you’re lucky, you learn that you are not your things, that things are anchors that can own you.
You learn to accept with grace, help offered from an open heart or hand.
If you’re very lucky you learn that you are resilient and possess fortitude. It is empowering and comforting to feel that whatever turns, your future may hold, you’ll get by somehow. Not being afraid of poverty can be freeing, in it’s own way.
You’ll pick up lots of grocery shopping tips when using food stamps. Seeing that food stamp card, helpful ‘paying customers’ will be happy to point out that you shouldn’t be buying JIF™ peanut butter when the generic brand is SO much cheaper! Og help you if you’re buying crisps or soda.
You’ll make the acquaintance of many helpful police officers “suggesting” your luck will improve in another county. Sometimes they’ll even give you a ride there!
Speaking of your new police officer friends, their frequent “Terry pats” and backpack searches will help you overcome that silly sense of privacy. Don’t forget to be grateful for their help!
You’ll be strengthening your upper torso as you carry your backpack 16 hours a day. To increase arm strength you should alternate backpacks with a big plaid laundry bag.
Let’s not forget the yummy soup kitchen food.
It will only get better when you’re forced to become a “shelter rat”. Your ever changing ‘roomies’ will selflessly share their “kennel cough” & tuberculosis with you. No need to worry about communicable diseases though - health care choices for the indigent are top notch.
If you’re fortunate, you’ll be accepted into a small tribe, reducing your chances of being raped or otherwise violently assaulted. Unless of course another tribe member has it in mind. Whee! You’ll be livin’ kinda’ sorta maybe like the Native Americans of yore.
You’ll develop an intimate understanding of the Social Services system. Trust me.
I’ve heard that “walking is good for you”. That’s great as you’ll be doing lots of it.
Your definitions of ‘civil human behavior’ will expand as you experience new levels of condescension, cruelty, hatred, indifference, violence, verbal abuse and debauchery first hand.
You’ll grow to accept the notion that one shower each week “isn’t that bad”. You’ll begin to appreciate the finer aromas of urine, vomit & the other body odours.
You’ll be fashionable AND thrifty when your jeans (and sweaters, coat, etc.) quickly develop large holes and tears from wear. You’ll be environmentally conscious by not changing your clothes since opportunities to launder them come few and far between. Punk on the cheap.
If your lucky enough to qualify for one, you’ll never get bored with your job since the day labor agencies seem to assign you a different one each day. You’ll be giving back to the economy as the agency charges 10% to cash the voucher they just gave you.
You’ll be brushing up on your outdoor skills as you gain experience “doing your business” behind buildings day and night. You’ll never underestimate the value of toilet tissue again.
If you’re a woman (especially a very young one), creepy men will incessantly offer you ‘money making’ opportunities. Children get high dollar, but only when you bring them along for ‘training’ purposes. Gotta grab what cash you can! Never ‘gone pro’ before? Relax - there’s hoards of local pimps to get you into the swing of things.
Goddam. I wish I didn’t know so much about this stuff.
Perks of poverty indeed.
QFT
Buzzkill, this is not shitty things about poverty, OK? Start your own thread for that.
A perk of poverty is you know your friends are friends, and not people with you for the things you can provide.
Agree 100%. Two of my brothers hated their jobs but stuck with them because they had bills to pay. They admit that they could not live life taking some of the financial risks I do to be happy. Then one of those brothers got laid off. He took a job from hell, realized it wasn’t at all what he wanted and quit to go work retail again. After the stress of trying to get his SO to realize that free-spending was part of a bygone era, they both seem much happier.
Years and years ago, I quit a job from hell to become a temp. I shared a tiny house with two others, learned to cook and eat all kinds of cheap meals and shopped for replacement clothing rarely for several years.
Nowadays, I’m not afraid of much. I do contract work and am happy with my work and my clients are happy with my work. If it all goes to hell in a handbasket, I know I will survive. Even if I have to go back to renting a room in a tiny house. It is very, very freeing.
Don’t harsh on FauxExample. His are the most right on so far. I said give me a reason to go on. Anybody who can make me laugh (even ruefully) is okay in my book.
Any of you ever wiped with torn paper towels because they’re actually cheaper than toilet paper?
Ouch.
Only times I’ve done that is because that’s all I had. I avoid doing that if i can help it.
So does everybody else, if they can afford it.
(Though I really like your posts, overall. Not attacking you.)
I have. Spoilered for the squeamish.
I’ve also had to use newspaper, corn cobs, a pine cone (OWW!), leaves, and cardboard. Any port in a storm and all that.
I’ll agree with Becky2844, don’t be harsh on FauxExample. He’s just pointing out the bad parts of being poor, he’s not the only one who’s done so.
Anyhow, here’s my example.
You learn that living in a 30 year old trailer with bad wiring, a rotting tub, a kitchen with no drawers, and floorboards that bend under you isn’t so bad.