After my ex-husband left me with my high school daughter and mother to care for. I had to sell my blood plasma and work two full-time jobs to pay the bills and try to keep my house. Bastard.
After my parents divorce we had to get food stamps. I was about 12 years old.
As an adult, I had a period where I was "transient", sleeping on friends couches, stuff like that. I worked in the hotel business and could eat for free or at least cheaply in the cafeteria. I did finally get my shit together. Eventually.
Yeah I'm not at the lowest I've ever been, but financially things could look much better. I need to find a new job and I'm feeling daunted by the prospects
Good luck! Its scary. I'm switching industries at 30, wish I'd just gone into the one I wanted to begin with, instead of feeling too insecure and playing it safe.
@secret - you are incredibly brave. Go you! My former G.P was unemployed, 30, no tertiary studies, did a bridging course, went to med school and became a doctor. He was my hero when I was 17, about to start uni, with no idea what to do. You're to be admired! Good luck.
Late to the party, but I spent most of my childhood into adolescence in federally funded housing projects. The Projects, aka The Ghetto. The only concrete constant I took from that time is that where you start out has little to do with where you end up. Every adult is responsible for their own circumstance. Period. Outside shit happens, but *you* decide who you are. No excuses. The world doesn't care about your sob story.
I grew up across a few blocks from the projects, but still in the ghetto. It was once a nice middle class neighborhood when my mom was a child. She hung on to that belief with both hands. She insisted we were "lower middle class". That is funny looking back! We lived in a border city where nearly everyone was poor. We just had a little...like made $1000 a year too much to qualify for food stamps, and we had reduced lunch not free lunch...so we were "lower middle". We had gang graffiti on our wall, only one pair of shoes, 3 school outfits to rotate, but we were not poor.
The poorest I've ever been was when I got laid off not long after 9/11. Getting laid off was not a result of the attacks, I just remember it being right after that happened. But because of the questionable economy and general uncertainty, it was REALLY difficult to find a job and I fell into a pretty bad depression. After 6 or 7 months of subsisting on unemployment benefits, and at the encouragement of my partner, I finally found a state job and have been here ever since. I do not miss those days. To everyone going through that right now, I wish you the best! Don't give up!
Few years ago. Hubby full time medical grad school, me nannying for not great $$, my dad sick and dying of cancer so I worked less hours to be with him...that was a really shitty time in our lives.
18 in college, waiting tables, and living in my own apartment. Someone stole all my money on the 29th of the month. Rent, all utilities, and spending money. I started using my bank account after that and had a hell of a 2 week stretch working all doubles.
Zeri dollars. Less than zero. When my son fell asleep- he was like 3- we snuch his giant mickey mouse head band out to living room to roll pennies for gas and food. Next thing we hear is"hey, whatta ya doing with my bank?" Lol. Im extremely extremely lucky. I have been broke, i have been 6 months in arrears on my mortgage, but i have always figured out a way out. On my own. Good practice too.
As a college student I worked 3 jobs in between classes for extra cash. My dad lost his job and my mom became depressed and withdrawn. Very shitty time of my life but today I am so much stronger for it. I am still extremely scared of ever being poor again!
No job, living in my van, taking showers at the state beach with rice for my only food. The rice part sucked, but otherwise it was kinda like an year-long adventure.
I'm in the same boat with Aunt Liddy. I may be broke at times, but I've always been able to keep a roof over my kids' heads (still am, unfortunately) and food on the table. I'm educated, skilled, and a survivor. I, unfortunately, am just not ambitious enough to get out there and really sell myself. But I'm now drawing 2 retirement checks and have a great job that I love, and my house will be paid for in about 2 years... so I see better days ahead, financially.
Yeah, I'm with Sarah and Bee Haven...not crazy about this question. In addition, it's totally relative, so "poor" is hard to empirically define.
I know, I know...I'm a hit at parties. ;-)
But one thing I will say is that being poor -- or whatever that means to each person -- tends to make one clever and creative, and that's a hell of a combo to have.
Correct AKM. it is entirely relative. In my profession, the old adage "there's always somebody worse off than you" has been witnessed over & over again. I also feel dubious about making personal disclosures to an unknown online entity. Some people don't wish to discuss it. Turdy turd Enty
When I moved to the western U.S., after paying my first, last, and security and buying groceries and putting gas in my car...I had a whopping .37 left.
@derek harvey No, you're awesome! Don't worry, I wasn't at all insulted, just surprised. I like Riven very much and I'd also like to think if I put the time and effort in I *could* be a troll (you know, if I didn't have a full-time job and everything).
Yoj I was wondering how long it would take you to become initiated into the "you aren't such and such are you?" Or just outright, unfounded accusations. Consider yourself one of the club!
Kno Won Uno - Love your attitude. I feel the same way.
Poorest I'd ever been was as an actress in NYC but man oh man...What a wonderful time I had looking back on it. NOT saying everyone who's been strapped should look upon it as a great time. I just met the coolest people and felt the freest I'd ever been trying to live my dream. But yeah, them was some hongray days.
When my son was 18 months, he had to go into the hospital with pneumonia from H1N1. Our insurance at the time sucked balls, and our portion of the 4 day stay + treatment was $4000. We had probably $300 in the bank. After the bill arrived, we also found out that our tax prep guy left off a chunk of our income from the previous year and he missed a 1099 as well, so we were slapped with another $4000 bill from the IRS. It was crushing financially at the time, but it was incredibly hard to be upset considering my son had just recovered from a situation where we were scared for his life.
I once lived on a bag of grapefruit for a week ... I had moved to LA, could barely afford rent and gas on my paycheck and so food was a luxury. Every piece of furniture originally had a "free" sign on it on curbs the day after garage sales ended.
Ultimately I moved onto a girlfriend's couch until things turned around, which they ultimately did. You just keep putting one foot in front of another.
@Bee Haven I must admit, I wasn't expecting that. Not that I mind being mistaken for someone as smart and funny as Riven, but I was a reader during the worst of the trolling and paranoia and I saw that feelings were hurt and internet friendships damaged. Let's not return to those days.
Admiration for so many of you. Courage, stamina and faith gets you through.
I lived on grapefruit juice, corn tortillas and jalapenos when I was a was a broke, going homeless with no job punk rock chick back in the late 1970's. Like many of you said - it was both a desperate and an unbelievably great time in my life.
Last year...7 over due payday loans, $8,000 owed in taxes, 2 negative bank accounts, car note 3 months past due, and no car insurance. Zero dollars in my pockets and contemplate suicide. Awesome friends and a God brought me back.
right now. thanks for reminding me.
ReplyDeleteThis is a turd of a question
ReplyDeleteAgree Sarah. What a turd.
DeleteAfter my ex-husband left me with my high school daughter and mother to care for. I had to sell my blood plasma and work two full-time jobs to pay the bills and try to keep my house. Bastard.
ReplyDeleteVery poor.
ReplyDeleteAfter my parents divorce we had to get food stamps. I was about 12 years old.
ReplyDeleteAs an adult, I had a period where I was "transient", sleeping on friends couches, stuff like that. I worked in the hotel business and could eat for free or at least cheaply in the cafeteria. I did finally get my shit together. Eventually.
I'm going to suggest alternative questions. What's the highest you've ever been, the happiest you've ever been, or the best prank you ever pulled? Lol
ReplyDeleteYes. I guess cause I'm in the middle if it, but that question made me so depressed.
DeleteYeah I'm not at the lowest I've ever been, but financially things could look much better.
DeleteI need to find a new job and I'm feeling daunted by the prospects
Good luck! Its scary. I'm switching industries at 30, wish I'd just gone into the one I wanted to begin with, instead of feeling too insecure and playing it safe.
DeleteNever yank a PRANKSTER!!!! (One of my favorite SNL clips & Walken moments)
Delete@secret - you are incredibly brave. Go you! My former G.P was unemployed, 30, no tertiary studies, did a bridging course, went to med school and became a doctor. He was my hero when I was 17, about to start uni, with no idea what to do.
DeleteYou're to be admired! Good luck.
Now.. unemployment sucks ass.
ReplyDeleteStill negotiating this one.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in college there were many days when I lived on one slice of pizza a day. But of course that was college. You're supposed to starve.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to all those struggling now.
Late to the party, but I spent most of my childhood into adolescence in federally funded housing projects. The Projects, aka The Ghetto.
ReplyDeleteThe only concrete constant I took from that time is that where you start out has little to do with where you end up. Every adult is responsible for their own circumstance. Period. Outside shit happens, but *you* decide who you are. No excuses. The world doesn't care about your sob story.
I grew up across a few blocks from the projects, but still in the ghetto. It was once a nice middle class neighborhood when my mom was a child. She hung on to that belief with both hands. She insisted we were "lower middle class". That is funny looking back! We lived in a border city where nearly everyone was poor. We just had a little...like made $1000 a year too much to qualify for food stamps, and we had reduced lunch not free lunch...so we were "lower middle". We had gang graffiti on our wall, only one pair of shoes, 3 school outfits to rotate, but we were not poor.
DeleteYoung single Mom disowned by the folks. It was a rough four years but also in some ways the happiest time of my life. Just me and my baby.
ReplyDeleteThe poorest I've ever been was when I got laid off not long after 9/11. Getting laid off was not a result of the attacks, I just remember it being right after that happened. But because of the questionable economy and general uncertainty, it was REALLY difficult to find a job and I fell into a pretty bad depression. After 6 or 7 months of subsisting on unemployment benefits, and at the encouragement of my partner, I finally found a state job and have been here ever since. I do not miss those days. To everyone going through that right now, I wish you the best! Don't give up!
ReplyDeleteI had to sell my typewriter for train fare home after I graduated college.
ReplyDeleteI'm a young adult with bills and a shitty job so I'm always poor
ReplyDeleteFew years ago. Hubby full time medical grad school, me nannying for not great $$, my dad sick and dying of cancer so I worked less hours to be with him...that was a really shitty time in our lives.
ReplyDelete18 in college, waiting tables, and living in my own apartment. Someone stole all my money on the 29th of the month. Rent, all utilities, and spending money. I started using my bank account after that and had a hell of a 2 week stretch working all doubles.
ReplyDelete**
ReplyDeleteCollege. Being a student assistant at a state agency, working part-time and getting an hourly wage. I hated February so much.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your comments, I'm bursting with admiration for you all.
ReplyDeleteZeri dollars. Less than zero. When my son fell asleep- he was like 3- we snuch his giant mickey mouse head band out to living room to roll pennies for gas and food. Next thing we hear is"hey, whatta ya doing with my bank?" Lol. Im extremely extremely lucky. I have been broke, i have been 6 months in arrears on my mortgage, but i have always figured out a way out. On my own. Good practice too.
ReplyDeleteAs a college student I worked 3 jobs in between classes for extra cash. My dad lost his job and my mom became depressed and withdrawn. Very shitty time of my life but today I am so much stronger for it. I am still extremely scared of ever being poor again!
ReplyDeleteNo job, living in my van, taking showers at the state beach with rice for my only food. The rice part sucked, but otherwise it was kinda like an year-long adventure.
ReplyDeleteI'm in the same boat with Aunt Liddy. I may be broke at times, but I've always been able to keep a roof over my kids' heads (still am, unfortunately) and food on the table. I'm educated, skilled, and a survivor. I, unfortunately, am just not ambitious enough to get out there and really sell myself. But I'm now drawing 2 retirement checks and have a great job that I love, and my house will be paid for in about 2 years... so I see better days ahead, financially.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm with Sarah and Bee Haven...not crazy about this question. In addition, it's totally relative, so "poor" is hard to empirically define.
ReplyDeleteI know, I know...I'm a hit at parties. ;-)
But one thing I will say is that being poor -- or whatever that means to each person -- tends to make one clever and creative, and that's a hell of a combo to have.
Correct AKM. it is entirely relative. In my profession, the old adage "there's always somebody worse off than you" has been witnessed over & over again. I also feel dubious about making personal disclosures to an unknown online entity. Some people don't wish to discuss it. Turdy turd Enty
DeleteWhat's the point of this question? To see who can get egged on for the best "poor me" story?
ReplyDeleteWell I've never been poor enough to annoy my readers with popups on an iphone, which I thought was impossible 😡
I, along with my kids, lived in a homeless shelter for 6 mos.
ReplyDeleteI sucked a dick once for a hundred dollas (he was hot for what its worth) but NEVER again ---I have learnt to budget.
ReplyDelete@derek harvey
ReplyDeleteThat may be the classiest encounter ever featured on this site.
IM SOOO FANCYYYY YOU DONT EVEN KNOW...................................................
ReplyDeletegotta get back ttyl xo
@Yoj---are u Riven?
ReplyDeleteI'm feeling pretty lucky right about now. I've been poor, I'm still poor, but we've always pulled through.
ReplyDelete@derek harvey
ReplyDeleteDoctahRivenIsAHasBeen?
That's not a serious question, is it?
Sorry, I'm just boring old me. No secret identities. No trolling.
When I moved to the western U.S., after paying my first, last, and security and buying groceries and putting gas in my car...I had a whopping .37 left.
ReplyDeleteFirst and last time that ever happened to me.
@Yoj---COOL ----sorry for the insult---you seem awesome xo
ReplyDeleteVery poor as a child.
ReplyDelete@derek harvey
ReplyDeleteNo, you're awesome!
Don't worry, I wasn't at all insulted, just surprised.
I like Riven very much and I'd also like to think if I put the time and effort in I *could* be a troll (you know, if I didn't have a full-time job and everything).
Yoj I was wondering how long it would take you to become initiated into the "you aren't such and such are you?" Or just outright, unfounded accusations. Consider yourself one of the club!
DeleteKno Won Uno - Love your attitude. I feel the same way.
ReplyDeletePoorest I'd ever been was as an actress in NYC but man oh man...What a wonderful time I had looking back on it. NOT saying everyone who's been strapped should look upon it as a great time. I just met the coolest people and felt the freest I'd ever been trying to live my dream. But yeah, them was some hongray days.
When my son was 18 months, he had to go into the hospital with pneumonia from H1N1. Our insurance at the time sucked balls, and our portion of the 4 day stay + treatment was $4000. We had probably $300 in the bank. After the bill arrived, we also found out that our tax prep guy left off a chunk of our income from the previous year and he missed a 1099 as well, so we were slapped with another $4000 bill from the IRS. It was crushing financially at the time, but it was incredibly hard to be upset considering my son had just recovered from a situation where we were scared for his life.
ReplyDeleteToday. I have a deceit living in monetary terms, but it seems everyone around me wants something from me, so I am poor in family & friends
ReplyDeleteHad to return a rented tv to get the $5.00 deposit back. Bought a loaf of bread, a jar of peanut butter and a jar of jelly. Kept me fed for days!!
ReplyDeleteI once lived on a bag of grapefruit for a week ... I had moved to LA, could barely afford rent and gas on my paycheck and so food was a luxury. Every piece of furniture originally had a "free" sign on it on curbs the day after garage sales ended.
ReplyDeleteUltimately I moved onto a girlfriend's couch until things turned around, which they ultimately did. You just keep putting one foot in front of another.
@Bee Haven
ReplyDeleteI must admit, I wasn't expecting that. Not that I mind being mistaken for someone as smart and funny as Riven, but I was a reader during the worst of the trolling and paranoia and I saw that feelings were hurt and internet friendships damaged. Let's not return to those days.
Admiration for so many of you. Courage, stamina and faith gets you through.
ReplyDeleteI lived on grapefruit juice, corn tortillas and jalapenos when I was a was a broke, going homeless with no job punk rock chick back in the late 1970's. Like many of you said - it was both a desperate and an unbelievably great time in my life.
Last year...7 over due payday loans, $8,000 owed in taxes, 2 negative bank accounts, car note 3 months past due, and no car insurance. Zero dollars in my pockets and contemplate suicide. Awesome friends and a God brought me back.
ReplyDelete