On the Experience of Being Poor-Ish, for People Who Aren't
Throwaway because I don&#x27;t want my co-workers to know.<p>I was poor. My father left home when I was a kid in middle school. My mom worked part time cleaning houses and left us when she found a new husband. I dropped out of high-school in the 9th grade and went to work. Low paying jobs. I lived with my aunt on the bad side of town.<p>Fast-forward 35 years. Today, I make about 200K per year. I got a GED, went to trade school, then got into college (full Pell Grant because I was so poor) and came out with a few degrees.<p>Everything I own is fully paid for. House, cars, etc. because I&#x27;m always afraid I&#x27;m going to be poor again. Of course, I only own modest things. Nothing fancy.<p>If you have never been poor, you may not realize how awesome Small houses and Toyota Corollas are.<p>My fears about being poor again drive my wife and kids crazy. They think I&#x27;m nuts and say I need counseling. I probably do.<p>Anyway, people think I&#x27;m &#x27;privileged&#x27; now because I earn a lot of money, but they have no idea that I used to sleep on the floor and eat in soup lines.<p>I made it and you can too. Poverty has no color. It impacts everyone. You can&#x27;t tell just by looking at someone.