Growing up in poverty can shape your perspective in unique ways, influencing your outlook on life. Although difficult, facing financial struggles and adversity early in life can help you build resilience and other traits.
Here, we explore experiences only those who grew up in poverty will understand. However, you don’t need to grow up in poverty to learn from them. These experiences offer a glimpse into hardships and triumphs; use them to inspire you toward a brighter future.
1. Going to Bed Hungry
Many go to bed after indulging in late-night snacks or expensive dinners. Only those who are financially struggling can relate to going to bed hungry. This is most likely because they don’t have food to eat or need to make their groceries last for the entire week.
2. Wearing Hand-Me-Down Clothes
Check your closet; if you have clothes you haven’t worn in weeks, you’re fortunate. Those who aren’t so fortunate are forced to wear hand-me-down clothes from family members or donations. Shopping for clothes, even at thrift stores, is a luxury for those who are financially struggling.
3. Living in Cramped Spaces
Having your own home is a major accomplishment, especially after living in poverty. Family members often live together, or the home may be too cramped even for a small family. This leads to multiple family members sleeping in one room. Even those earning a median salary will struggle in most states to purchase a home with a single salary.
4. Worrying About Basic Utilities Being Shut Off
It can be stressful to constantly worry about basic utilities like electricity being shut off because you’re struggling to pay rent. People who are financially struggling would pay the bill on time if they could, but they’re constantly juggling other important expenses like food. If you’re not constantly worrying about your utilities being shut off, it’s something to be grateful for.
5. Relying on Free or Reduced-Price School Lunches
Public schools offer free or reduced breakfast and lunch. Those who are financially struggling are most likely eligible for this option and use it to their advantage. Although school lunches aren’t the healthiest or tastiest option, it beats being hungry.
6. Using Food Banks
Food banks are nonprofits that store large quantities of food donated by local neighbors, restaurants, and other small businesses. Generally, those who are financially struggling will meet the criteria and be eligible to receive free food.
7. Working Jobs at a Young Age
Those living in poverty will most likely seek extra income after exhausting free resources. This means working young and using the income to pay for necessary expenses. Although working at a young age can be mentally and physically challenging, it teaches the valuable lesson of hard work. Working hard to get what you want builds resilience that will come in handy later in life.
8. Missing Out on Extracurricular Activities Due to Cost
Because families who are financially struggling use all their income to pay for necessary expenses, it’s common to avoid paying for extra activities. Unless they work additional hours, it’s almost impossible to justify paying for extracurricular activities. Use this as a lesson to avoid purchasing items you don’t need.
9. Feeling Embarrassed About Economic Status
Most anticipate that growing up poor leads to bullying at school or feeling embarrassed about their economic status. Watching others be financially well off while you struggle to pay for basic expenses is not easy. However, this drive can lead to financial success in the future. Those who grow up in poverty can use this to fuel their ambition to learn new skills to build wealth someday.
10. Being Unable to Afford Healthcare
Living in poverty may mean you can’t obtain regular healthcare because your job doesn’t offer it or you can’t afford it. The good news is that if your income falls below a certain threshold, you may qualify for state healthcare. However, some may have no healthcare options, which may lead to health issues down the road.
11. Lack of Access to Technology
Only being able to pay for necessary expenses means not purchasing the latest smartphone or tech gadgets. If you’re reading this article from your laptop or smartphone, consider yourself fortunate. People living in poverty may have limited access to technology, but they can still access offline resources like the library or local television.
12. Relying on Public Transportation
Driving to work is a luxury for impoverished people. Public transportation is the most affordable option and often requires one to be on time. People who rely on public transit constantly worry about delays that cause them to be late.
13. Witnessing Parents’ Financial Stress
Constantly worrying about paying rent, among other expenses, leads to stress. Children living in poverty may see their parents stress about their finances. Unfortunately, financial habits can be passed on. The good news is that with hard work, new habits can replace bad ones.
14. Prioritizing Immediate Needs Over Long-Term Goals
Living in poverty can mean spending most or all of your money on covering necessary expenses. This often means not having the luxury to save for the future. Saving and investing are core principles in building wealth, and it may be hard for some who grew up in poverty. If you’re not saving money monthly, consider doing so by trimming unnecessary expenses and finding ways to increase your income.