Could you manage as a Poor American?

[JEDI]

Take the Quiz: Could You Manage as a Poor American? (Published 2020)

See whether you make the kinds of mistakes that can cost poor families food or health insurance.

www.nytimes.com

These requirements were created in part to ensure that only people who truly qualify receive benefits. In some states, the rules have recently been tightened or soon could be.
Yet the complexity and frequency of such tasks can mean that hurdles meant to exclude the ineligible often exclude those who are eligible but who are also disorganized or overwhelmed.


-mail in my neighborhood is delivered to a central box for the street.
i go twice a week instead of everyday to get mail and usually open them that day.

-i never forget to pay re-occurring bills because of my bank's billpay.
-i dont get govt mail that i dont understand. And even if i did, using google could help clarify it for me.
-i dont miss appts because of my smartphone's calendar alerts.

i am disorganized to a certain point but i have technology to help me.

unfortunately, i dont see the many of the poor as having internet for bank billpay or, heck, a bank acct or even a computer.
they may have a cell phone but it might be a flip phone and not a smartphone. and using the calendar program on that might not be easy to use.

(missing an appointment with a government office could cost you food assistance, Social Security disability or welfare benefits. )

 

[pcgeek11]

I know I could do it. I used to be one many years ago.

 

[shortylickens]

Doubtful. I grew up lower middle class and its not that tough, but we always had food and heat. Every christmas I got something, even if it was very little. The few books and articles written about being poor make it seem impossible.

5 Things Nobody Tells You About Being Poor | Cracked.com

If you're not poor, that's awesome. I'm not mad at you, or jealous. Hopefully you'll never find out these five things.

www.cracked.com

5 Cruel Ways Being Poor Is Expensive

The world is really stacked against those of us with the least money.

www.cracked.com

The 5 Stupidest Habits You Develop Growing Up Poor | Cracked.com

As anybody who's been through the poverty gauntlet can tell you, it changes a person. And it doesn't go away just because you're no longer fighting hobos for their moonshine.

www.cracked.com

5 Facts About Being Poor (From a Rich Person)

Writing about being poor has gotten popular lately. But what's missing is a rich person telling us what it's like to be poor.

www.cracked.com

5 Maddening Things Poor People Can't Get Out From Under

Being poor comes with an unexpected plethora of bizarre side effects.

www.cracked.com

BS Myths About Being Poor You Believe Thanks To The Media

As far as most news outlets are concerned, anyone below the poverty line is fair game as a source of national amusement and mockery.

www.cracked.com

5 Insane Laws Written Specifically to Harass Poor People

There are some American legislators who are using every tool in their toolbox to make 'poverty' the new 'murder.'

www.cracked.com

 

[Fenixgoon]

probably not

 

[allisolm]

Could you manage as a Poor American?

I'm sure I would manage a lot worse as a poor American than I would as a rich one.

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

Can.


Do.


I probably live on less a month than some of you spend on Starbucks.

 

[JEDI]

Can.


Do.


I probably live on less a month than some of you spend on Starbucks.

$5/day x 30 = $150/month

HOW?

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

I said 'some' There are people who spend a lot more than that there.

 

[Fenixgoon]

I said 'some' There are people who spend a lot more than that there.

would you mind ballparking your expenses? obviously you don't have to if you don't want to. sadly for people who are well-off (myself included), it's often difficult to dramatically spend less - at least until life forces you to do so.

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

70 year old farmhouse owned outright, no payment. Rural, low cost of living area.

2 25 year old cars owned outright, no payments.

Recurring/required monthly expenses are utilities and insurance for the above which totals about $500/mo or so.

Bought a new tractor a couple years back to help me do things I have trouble doing by hand/leg now. Small payment on that, about $250/mo.

CCs are managed closely and paid off in full each month which helps maintain an 800 credit rating which allowed the tractor loan on signature only.

Fixed income pays for all of it, but not a lot left over. Some months I exceed and have to use savings. Most months I stay below and can add to savings.

I drive as little as possible, two - three times a month on average. That saves on gasoline.

Burn wood which saves on propane and electric. This may be my last year for that though since it adds to the home insurance premium.

I don't eat out ... at all. Haven't in many years. No cable or other TV.

Use whatever discounts and rewards programs I can to cut costs.

 

[shortylickens]

Can.


Do.


I probably live on less a month than some of you spend on Starbucks.

You live on 0 dollars a month?

 

[Puffnstuff]

I know I could do it. I used to be one many years ago.

I haven't seen a poor person yet that didn't have a smartphone in their hands. Even the so called beggars on the interstate off ramp are toting them.

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

I have one. Paid $50 for it. TracFone costs me $10/mo. for far more time, data and messaging than I ever use.

 

[brycejones]

I haven't seen a poor person yet that didn't have a smartphone in their hands. Even the so called beggars on the interstate off ramp are toting them.

The point is? $50 phone with prepaid plans as low as 10-20 a month.

 

[fleshconsumed]

The point is? $50 phone with prepaid plans as low as 10-20 a month.

There is no point. It's the same bullshit as how dare poor people have flat screen tv's, refrigerators, or window air conditioners, they must not be poor if they can afford all of that.

The second you're no longer 100% utterly destitute you stop being poor. Treat yourself to a cupcake on your birthday? No longer poor. Nuh-uh.

 

[WelshBloke]

Can.


Do.


I probably live on less a month than some of you spend on Starbucks.

PM Me your address. I can't change your circumstances and I'm certainly not wealthy enough to make a meaningful change but I'd love to send you a bottle of booze!

 

[Puffnstuff]

The point is? $50 phone with prepaid plans as low as 10-20 a month.

Keep it in the context of the conversation about managing yourself using technology and even poor people are using it too.

 

[pcgeek11]

would you mind ballparking your expenses? obviously you don't have to if you don't want to. sadly for people who are well-off (myself included), it's often difficult to dramatically spend less - at least until life forces you to do so.

Like the saying goes.

"The more you make the more you spend."

 

[pcgeek11]

I haven't seen a poor person yet that didn't have a smartphone in their hands. Even the so called beggars on the interstate off ramp are toting them.

I remember the first year I moved away from home. That year my total income for the year was 3,000 dollars. $57.69 a week.... living large. LOL

 

[brycejones]

I remember the first year I moved away from home. That year my total income for the year was 3,000 dollars. $57.69 a week.... living large. LOL

Please tell us more about 1940.

 

[Ken g6]

I could probably do OK, except for the mail thing. I get my mail at a PO Box. I have to go inside the post office to get it. So, since the coronavirus, I only do it once every week or two.

 

[Paratus]

Well personally I couldn’t cut it as a poor man stealing.

I guess this thread is how you remind me.

 

[cytg111]

Not an American, but if I was that stripped for cash I'd be back at selling virtual gold online again. I'd find a way to grind some cash.

Or scramble some old hardware, find a place to leech some juice and set up a little mining operation in a basement somewhere. It wont grind much but enough to eat.

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

I could roll it solo if I absolutely had to (as I have), very very hard in a relationship though.

The hardest part is housing, nailing that while poor is an effort in either luck or futility.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Would not be easy, at all