• Date Started: Dec 30, 2006
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Am I poor?

7 Responses to “Am I poor?”

1. fairy74 Says:
   January 3rd, 2007 at 06:52 pm 1167850367
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   scary, but what a good attitude she has...I think all of us wonder deep down if we had to start over with nothing, if we really could do it or not...

2. Broken Arrow Says:
   January 3rd, 2007 at 06:57 pm 1167850623
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   Someone else has brought up this article before, but it's such a fascinating and provocative read that I am glad it has been brought up again.
   
   As I recall, the discussion last time about it was not without some controversy (since the woman in question wasn't willing to sacrifice certain things... though I think it was understandable in a way).
   
   Still, there was something fierce and inspiring about it, and yet, frightening at the same time.

3. nance Says:
   January 3rd, 2007 at 06:59 pm 1167850788
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   I just read "Am I poor", and admire that woman! It is too bad she didn't have the same awareness of money when she was earning more. It would have helped when she lost her job. That is why six months of expenses, in the bank, is so imortant. There are still things she could do. She could get a roommate to help with expenses, she could find a good home for one or two of the dogs, as hard as that might be. Could she deliver newspapers or pizzas? Could she make more money cleaning houses? The pay would certainly be higher. Anyway, she has a positive attitude, and she should do well.
   Thanks for that referral. It makes other's problems seem small.

4. denisentexas Says:
   January 3rd, 2007 at 07:01 pm 1167850872
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   I found it quite inspiring myself! As for the woman not being willing to sacrifice some things, I think most people are like that unless they get to the point where they simply have no choice. I've lived at or below the poverty level almost all of my adult life and don't like it one bit. I've learned to do without a lot that most people consider "necessary" but you know, we all have to do what we have (and are willing) to do. That's different for us each.

5. cindilee Says:
   January 4th, 2007 at 12:11 am 1167869507
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   This can happen to anyone of us and I'm sure it has already happened to some of us. Before I found my present job I had stayed at home (my husbands suggestion) with the kids. For seven years I had no job experience etc. It really looks bad when you have a large gap in your resume. I did sell on eBay, but never could I have afforded the many credit card payments and the $900 house payment. When he came home one day and said he was leaving it left my children and I in a terrible situation. No child support, no money, no job, you get the picture. It has taken over six years just to be able to afford any extras really. At first I moved into a house that my parents owned but were not living in. I found a job in another town that paid $5.15 an hour as a convenience store clerk. I was lucky to get 30 hours a week. That is a total of $600 per month not including taxes being taken out. Never have we had it so rough in our lives! My two highschool aged kids also got part time jobs and enrolled in a charter school so that they could go to school for half a day so that they could work, and together we paid the small amount of rent to my parents and the utilities and food expenses. I did sell some on eBay but I had to have the money to buy the merchandise and this didnt happen often. This left many many unpaid bills still. We never applied for welfare and to get child support you nearly had to be on welfare to get someone to file for you, it seems that those recipients get their cases to court first, I cannot remember how long the wait list was to talk to someone. It's really a sad situation that so many people have to live this way. I thank God every day that I was able to drag myself out of that deep dark pit. You dont even know depression or what it's like to feel worthless until you've really been at the bottom. There is something about being poor that makes you feel like you are not doing all you could to better your situation even though you know you are. Luckily I got better job opportunity and pay and was able to get out of that situation but for many it's a vicious cycle and they may never get out of it.

6. Broken Arrow Says:
   January 4th, 2007 at 02:20 pm 1167920403
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   Wow, Cindi, what a terrible experience that must have been! I can't even imagine myself trying to get through something like that. I'm glad things are much better for you now. Thank you for sharing.

7. cindilee Says:
   January 5th, 2007 at 01:10 am 1167959421
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   Hi Broken arrow! Thanks for the comments. It was a really tough time, but we all made it thru and are better for it. I think the things that happen in life are meant to happen, maybe to teach us what we need to know. I don't believe we are given more than we can handle, although, it sure seems like it sometimes. Eventually when the divorce went to court I was awarded a small amount in child support, he did not work at the same place anymore and made very little money, so he said. Funny he had money for a lawyer and divorce though when we had not a penny! I have never seen a dime but figure I dont really need it anyway. I am able to make it myself and my kids have not gone without anything. The reason we had to move was because I do not speak spanish and could not find a job to save my life here, funny how I ended up transferred back! And also the two older ones (kids) at least got a great life lesson out of it, they realize that if you do not save your resources you could be in big trouble when things suddenly change and the rug is pulled out from under you! I am so proud of them both for helping when things were tough although I do feel guilty at times because they had to grow up before they really should have. Anyway, sorry to ramble on so long, it is a subject that really gets me going!

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