I grew up poor, and one thing I couldn’t afford was complaining. Everyone around me loved complaining because they loved soiling and being accepting of their mediocrity. I stayed quiet so I don’t fall into that mentality and behaviors and moved in silence.
I personally am on SSDI, about $1450 a month at the moment. Before getting married earlier this year I had my own apartment in a semi-rough part of town, subsidized. I utilized food banks, had only my cell phone for Internet at home, paid a small water bill, and kept my electric (heating, cooling, water heater, and general use) to under $50/month usually. To help heat the apartment I would open the curtains on any sun facing window during the day to let the sun heat the cement floor, and close them up at night. To cool the place I would open any windows and their curtains that weren't sun facing. I did have food stamps too, but under $50/month. My usual food budget was $250/month. I have an older used car, and can do many repairs on it myself with basic tools, mostly because it doesn't have a lot of electronics. The city I live in is around 350,000 people. My net worth is about $5,000 (the value of my car at the moment). I have lived most of my life in the lower income spectrum. I grew up poor, rural, and in the snow belt. I learned to fix a lot of stuff myself because I had no other choice. I use repair cafés if I don't know how to fix something, or look it up online. It takes about 20 years of no major mishaps for an average income to reach financial stability. I buy only what I know will save me money long term, or that I know (not just think) will solve an issue. My clothes are basic, often second hand or free (events often give free t-shirts), or they cost so little as to make their cost per use negligible because they are kept for years and worn regularly. Don't overlook the multifunction items either, my panini press has plates that flip to become a griddle, my Insta-pot has about 20 functions (including air fry), my vehicle is a minivan (so I can haul lots of stuff if need be), my bookshelf is also a TV stand, my clock has a radio. For some reason people think that multi-function items are a trade-off but will online shop on their cell phone while listening to their MP3s, checking their bank account to make sure the money is there. Humans are bad at multitasking, but inanimate things don't get distracted.
Fixing things yourself is a great skill and I really like multifunction kitchen appliances - I've been thinking of getting a crock-pot actually, would an insta-pot be better? Hope things been better since marrying your spouse!
@jennyxu6800 Things weren't bad before marriage, and are only getting better. I find that I enjoy using my multi-function Insta-pot much more than my wife's air fryer as I can make many different dishes.
I was born with cerebral palsy. Graduated high school some college.married kids divorced worked my ass off while i could retired at 41.now at 64 life is great got subsidized housing great landlord lovely duplex p.s. been in a wheelchair 12 years now get to do more and hurt less life is good im so gratefull
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
I grew up poor, and one thing I couldn’t afford was complaining. Everyone around me loved complaining because they loved soiling and being accepting of their mediocrity. I stayed quiet so I don’t fall into that mentality and behaviors and moved in silence.
I personally am on SSDI, about $1450 a month at the moment. Before getting married earlier this year I had my own apartment in a semi-rough part of town, subsidized. I utilized food banks, had only my cell phone for Internet at home, paid a small water bill, and kept my electric (heating, cooling, water heater, and general use) to under $50/month usually. To help heat the apartment I would open the curtains on any sun facing window during the day to let the sun heat the cement floor, and close them up at night. To cool the place I would open any windows and their curtains that weren't sun facing. I did have food stamps too, but under $50/month. My usual food budget was $250/month. I have an older used car, and can do many repairs on it myself with basic tools, mostly because it doesn't have a lot of electronics. The city I live in is around 350,000 people. My net worth is about $5,000 (the value of my car at the moment).
I have lived most of my life in the lower income spectrum. I grew up poor, rural, and in the snow belt. I learned to fix a lot of stuff myself because I had no other choice. I use repair cafés if I don't know how to fix something, or look it up online. It takes about 20 years of no major mishaps for an average income to reach financial stability.
I buy only what I know will save me money long term, or that I know (not just think) will solve an issue. My clothes are basic, often second hand or free (events often give free t-shirts), or they cost so little as to make their cost per use negligible because they are kept for years and worn regularly.
Don't overlook the multifunction items either, my panini press has plates that flip to become a griddle, my Insta-pot has about 20 functions (including air fry), my vehicle is a minivan (so I can haul lots of stuff if need be), my bookshelf is also a TV stand, my clock has a radio. For some reason people think that multi-function items are a trade-off but will online shop on their cell phone while listening to their MP3s, checking their bank account to make sure the money is there. Humans are bad at multitasking, but inanimate things don't get distracted.
Fixing things yourself is a great skill and I really like multifunction kitchen appliances - I've been thinking of getting a crock-pot actually, would an insta-pot be better? Hope things been better since marrying your spouse!
@jennyxu6800 Things weren't bad before marriage, and are only getting better.
I find that I enjoy using my multi-function Insta-pot much more than my wife's air fryer as I can make many different dishes.
I loved your story and how you get by. Great job
I was born with cerebral palsy. Graduated high school some college.married kids divorced worked my ass off while i could retired at 41.now at 64 life is great got subsidized housing great landlord lovely duplex p.s. been in a wheelchair 12 years now get to do more and hurt less life is good im so gratefull
I'm so dire poor that to me $3400 yearly sounds wonderful
❤
Cool video
The ones that are trying to early retire without any thought to healthcare...
RIP