Comments on: Are We Poor?

By: d buzz

d buzz — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 03:18:58 +0000

i’ve learned alot from the exchange of comments… surely, life is bittersweet… and happiness can’t only be found in the grandeur of things but also from the tiniest details that only a grateful heart could see =) good day!

d buzz’s last blog post..Playing Tennis with Shock Absorbers

By: A.

A. — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 11:54:56 +0000

I often think people in western developed countries have everything out of perspective. There are millions of people living in Africa without electricity or running water. We should all count our blessings and re-evaluate which things really are blessings. A.'s last blog post..La Meute: sexism in advertising

By: heidi

heidi — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 04:20:49 +0000

I was raised in a middle class suburban family and never was in want for anything. But as an adult on my own, I’ve learned how to live poor. I now live on the East Side of Buffalo (where all the 6 and 11 0′clock news takes place) in a house with a resale value of about 15K, and that’s about how much per year I’ve been living on for the past several years (with the exception of the 16 months I was married to a man with a $10/hour job). I wash my clothes at the laundromat, collect bottles and cans, and eat lots of Raman noodles. Before I was married, I had bunny ears with tin foil for reception and a tv with a dial on the front, but my husband liked to watch tv so I got him the $11.95/month basic broadcast cable and a little 13″ color tv. I still have no use for a cell phone! The current indoor temp in my house is 61°, yesterday it was 58°, not exactly cozy.

I have a friend who makes 50K a year on top of her husband’s 50K and they’re always crying poor. It floors me! Holy cow, If I had that kind of money rolling in, I wouldn’t know what to do with myself!

I just think that a person’s attitude towards money, wealth, poverty, etc. plays a bigger role in how a person lives than the actual amount of money they have in pocket. Granted, there are people who have absolutely nothing but the clothes on their backs, no material possessions, property, or anything - so they are POOR. But there are many who have more than they realize, but have little appreciation for it and they are always coveting what their neighbor has.

I admit, my adjustment from wealthy to poor was difficult, and I made some very stupid financial decisions, not really realizing the value of money, nor how to live without things that I perceived as necessities in life.

Now I consider myself to be extremely blessed. I’m smart, I’m healthy, I own my home, my van, a small business, and have friends and family. OK, so I don’t always have 2 pennies to rub together, but so what? I actually like my life. And I also know that I could lose everything tomorrow.

heidi’s last blog post..Obesity Kills

By: yoshi

yoshi — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 16:51:35 +0000

It’s quite amazing how something such as that changes your perspective on life. I was never one to want for anything, and yes, i’ve had my share of poorness. I’ve lived in places that are not exactly lower class. it makes you appreciate the finer things in life, like being able to eat food when you’re hungry, drinking water when you’re thirsty.

Quite amazing.

yoshi’s last blog post..Don’t drink the water

By: Erin

Erin — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 16:08:27 +0000

I, too, had never heard of loosies, but knew many people who rolled their own. It’s great to have a perspective check on where you are and where you’ve been! It’s so easy to lose that perspective sometimes. (And it’s great, because of this post I’m doing that myself, hehe.)

Erin’s last blog post..Sailing On The Stars

By: Jillian

Jillian — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:18:47 +0000

My mom didn’t have a lot of money when I was a kid, but I never needed for anything. My mom used to say the classic, “we’re rich in love.” When you’re a kid, that doesn’t mean much. But as an adult it means a lot. LOL, so right now, I am proudly “rich in love.” And what’s funny is right now I would kill to live at home. Perspective is funny like that. Nice post!

Jillian’s last blog post..It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time, but Now I Don’t Know

By: Michael

Michael — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:11:20 +0000

Our kids ask that every time we they ask for something, like a Coke, and I say I don’t have the money. They can’t tell the difference between poverty and not having cash on you. I have ended up giving them lectures on what it means to truly be poor. Also starting to have them do some civic type work. Just shocks me because they don’t realize how good they have it. Of course sometimes I forget that too….

Michael’s last blog post..Hey Y?all Watch This

By: steven wilson

steven wilson — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 11:55:41 +0000

One often does not realize just how good they have it until they loose something.

By: Natural Woman

Natural Woman — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 11:00:46 +0000

I didn’t know we were poor until I was in my late 20’s. My mom did a great job taking care of us after my parents divorce. I just got finished telling my own yesterday how sometimes we have to stop and be thankful for what we have because many people have nothing. I’m sure she is, but I hate to hear her complain about what she doesn’t have…it’s nice to speak about the things we do have.

I understood everything you wrote. lol

Natural Woman’s last blog post..Money Monday Tip #17

By: Mike Lawson

Mike Lawson — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 06:01:36 +0000

Perspective can change everything, huh?

You’re lucky to have tasted that different world…it makes your current situation much sweeter.

And you are blessed and loved.

Mike Lawson’s last blog post..This Is The One About Traffic.