Dorinda Bloom 44036 Report post Posted February 24, 2011 I have been thinking a great deal lately of finances as I am revamping my budget, trying to "trim the fat" where I can etc. It seems to me that there are more and more people really struggling to make ends meet - just putting bread and milk on the table and paying one's electric bill is enough to get you in the red sometimes! Looking back I see that I have had times of little and times of plenty. Both have their positives and negatives, certainly posing different challenges....but I can honestly say that I have been just as happy with little as with much. Certainly during times of poverty there is a nagging sense of not being secure which to me is a huge issue. However, for myself being financially secure does not = happiness, although it certainly does help to know that your cup runneth over. I had to laugh this morning when I thought back to just how I had to scrape....One thing I did was help myself to extra condiments at places like McDonald's - squeezing the "free" ketchup into my empty ketchup bottle! It seems just ridiculous now, but at the time it seemed to me like it could help. lol Even now, I find myself looting my hotel room for terrible soaps that last forever, horrible shampoos that strip your hair of moisture, etc. I guess old habits die hard. It would be interesting to hear of other saving methods others have creatively incorporated into their lives to "make do".... 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Megan'sTouch 23875 Report post Posted February 24, 2011 One week in 3rd year university, I had NO money in the bank, and my $1500 credit card was maxed out. For a week, I lived only on pasta, peanut butter, and jello. I ate the pasta plain, and I ate scoops of peanut butter out of the jar. I also made the jello mix. It was a shitty week, but I'm glad I experienced it because it makes me appreciate what I have now. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nicolette Vaughn 294340 Report post Posted February 24, 2011 When I was young and out on my own for the first time, I was determined to make it without any help or having to move back home. With 2 part-time jobs and going to school, I still had trouble making ends meet. I lived on bagels, frozen ice tea and soup for 6 months. I let a friend use my Honda for months and made them pay a certain amount for using it. I had no cable and watched movies on my vcr, turned down the heat and used a big comforter to keep warm. I lived above the Royal Oak on Bank St and knew the guy who worked at Mr. Sub who lived in the same building. Many times he would give me free subs at the end of the night. Across the street there was a store called Big Buds before dollar stores were in existence.lol. I remember the owner asking if I had run away from home because even though I was considered an adult, I still looked so young. I'd often sneak into Barrymore's as well. I walked and took the bus everywhere and bought all my clothes at discount stores. Man, those days were tough but a lot of fun too. My girlfriends lived down the street and we'd always get together and go to bars in the market, get in for free and most of the time not drink but guys would buy them for us sometimes. It's wierd because when you are struggling, sometimes things are easier because you don't have all these expenses to worry about. It is possible to get creative when you're poor. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Megan'sTouch 23875 Report post Posted February 24, 2011 ^^^I remember Big Buds, LOL! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nicolette Vaughn 294340 Report post Posted February 24, 2011 ^^^I remember Big Buds' date=' LOL![/quote'] LOL. There were some good finds in that store. That's why I love Dollarama and Giant Tiger now. I think once you find yourself cutting back on things, it never really leaves you. These days I often find myself religiously scouring through the grocery flyers each week looking for the best deals. I often have a hard time justifying buying epensve or frivilous things because I feel guilty about it. Owning a house, cars, other expenses you really have to watch your money. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Megan'sTouch 23875 Report post Posted February 24, 2011 When I lost my virginity, my boyfriend at the time bought candles at Big Buds! HAHAHA! :) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dorinda Bloom 44036 Report post Posted February 24, 2011 I remember several years ago I qualified for low income housing. In small town Saskatchewan my options were limited so I ended up living in an old folks home LOL!!! It was actually really funny and interesting! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ashley Ann 75247 Report post Posted February 24, 2011 Back when I was 21, I got my first 9-5 job, this was after a couple of years of escorting, I decided to go back to school, took an office admin course..anyways one day got pulled right out of class and was brought to an office within the building I was going to school in and was placed right then & there...My first 9-5 job. I remember having to wait a month for a paycheck, and it was sooooooo hard...not being able to make the money I used to.....Had to drastically adjust my lifestyle..I used to be take out queen, therefore I had to learn how to cook..and take the buss, used to take cabs everywhere...and I did not have any money for new office gear...BUT I will say this, I may have been struggling and living pay cheque to pay cheque, but I felt GREAT about myself and really loved the fact that when the pays started to come in that I always had a guaranteed income and a lot less stress. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
livenudecats 4067 Report post Posted February 24, 2011 When I was in university there were some pretty lean times, especially near the end of the year when the money had run out but looking back it was probably my childhood. One could say we were poor as kids but as kids I think you don't see yourself as poor because for the most part all of your friends/neighbors are in the same boat. This was before the days of 200 TV channels, reality shows, the internet, etc. so your frame of reference was your neighborhood and family. There were days when we had a small bit of cereal for breakfast with water because there was no milk. I'd go to the local Mom and Pop store and buy the old bread for 1/2 price. I didn't even own a pair of new jeans (always had hand-me-downs from family or neighbors) until I was 14. We all rode one bike. I shared a room with 2 brothers and a cousin who lived with us. My parents didn't own a car until I was 12 (a Ford stationwagon). Things that kids today would freak over but to us it ws the way it was. That's why when I see stories now about "poor" people I often don't feel sorry for them. Sure there are the single mom's some dirtbag left with 4 kids or a handicapped guy who can't get a break but today people think they're poor if they don't have a big screen TV or the newest IPhone. I take my daughter to voluteer at Wpg. Harvest once a month so she appreciates what she has. It makes me shake my head when someone comes in to pick up a hamper meanwhile they are wearing more expensive jeans than I am or talking on their cell phone (both things that they could give up if it mean't feeding their kids). I'll get people come into my business and whine they have no money to pay for services but they are covered with $5000.00 worth of piercings and tattoo's. Anyway I'm getting off topic. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grass_Hopper 18263 Report post Posted February 24, 2011 Like most of students, this was my menu for lunch and diner, with toast as a night snack... I was'nt able to get a study loan, so I decided to pay it anyways. My studies were where I've learn the most, but not from my classes. Thank God, this period is over!.. ;-) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Katherine of Halifax 113931 Report post Posted February 24, 2011 I was brought up with a healthy respect for money. We lived on a farm so had plently of food but not a lot of extras. By university I had learned many ways to make a dollar last longer. One thing I remember doing in school is washing milk bags or any other plastic bag to take my lunch to school. I spent a lot of time doing this and my kitchen looked like a plastic bag laundry. It seemed back then I was saving a fortune doing this, I am laughing right now thinking about it. :lol: Thanks ladies for the trip down memory lane. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest jake_cdn Report post Posted February 24, 2011 In the last two years of University I would eat canned peas and cough drops as they were both cheap at the time. When I had some money I spent it on beer and splurged on frozen fish and chips (99 cents) and Kool-Aid....yummmm Live was good! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pink Kitty Escorts 6195 Report post Posted February 24, 2011 We was so po' we had to jerk the dog to feed the cat.. We was so po' that on xmas mornin, if I didnt wake up with a hardon I had nothin to play with.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boomer 33202 Report post Posted February 24, 2011 Can't give you the same type of stories, but when I was young and starting my career I sold my car and went without for a few years. It was a graet way to save a lot of money and start saving . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Capital Hunter 18263 Report post Posted February 24, 2011 Unforunately poverty is widespread in the world. This is a rich country and so much stories of people living below poverty not having enough for essentials like food and housing:icon_sad:. Just imagine all the sad stories that people could share from other continents. There is enough wealth (food, housing...) for every citizen of the earth. It is just that about 10% wanting more than they need and keep some 90% of the wealth to themselves :icon_mad: and the button 30 to 50% live in absolute poverty. Yes, this is the human nature regretfully. The more they have the greedier they become to have even more even at the expense of others. Yes, my life story is unique in a way ......... I was lucky to be born in a relatively well off family with both my parents working hard one as a surgeon and the other as university teacher until something happened that changed all that. So, while I was in university the funding (coming from my parents) was cut off (not by my parents ....) and I suddendly had to count every dollar that I had and make sure it is spent on essentials. Hard for someone who was used to living in luxury suddendy to drop to the button. Never used to the below poverty life. Worked and studied for most of the 10 years I was in the university and got myself back up to become a middle class (self-made) but still far away from the lifestyle I used to have in my childhood. I remember when I was first year graduate student, I rented a small room with no air conditioning (cheap) and one day it got so hot that my heart went into fast irregular beating likely as a reaction to the heat or lack of essential food rich in vitamins and protein. Yes I have seen it all. Wealthy in the childhood (my parents) poverty borderline between 16 to 26 while studying (got scholarship at 26 for 3 years and worked too) and middle class from 29 years of age (when I started working) till now. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
livenudecats 4067 Report post Posted February 24, 2011 From my university days, 3 words...... Wiener Water Soup. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VedaSloan 119179 Report post Posted February 24, 2011 I am currently "poor." I owe the university about 3000 still for tuition (my intentions had been to make this money during the summer, but then my mom got really sick and I was sending money to my parents to help out). I didn't apply for OSAP in time, so I'm still trying to work off that debt. I'm lucky that my partner is currently supporting me; he pays our rent, and internet bills. The time that I have to escort is limited and what I make from that goes to my cell phone bill and to food and if I can, towards my school debt. I'm not starving or anything, but there isn't any extra cash lying around either. I don't own a credit card because I wouldn't be able to pay any of it off. I'm just getting more stressed about it as the end of term approaches because if I don't pay that 3G by then, the university will not release my grades or allow me to register for the next term. These are the times when extras get cut; waxes get put off, I start shaving the sides of my head myself, rather than having my hairdresser do it, socializing with friends involves loitering in places for free and I start eating the same cheap shit over and over--like weiners and beans, or mr. noodles with what I like to call the cock sauce (it's just a sweet spicy type sauce you can get in Chinatown for super cheap--it's Cock Brand, meaning it's got a giant rooster on the label, hence why I call it the cock sauce), pasta with nothing but margarine and a bit of parmesan, etc. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Malika Fantasy 144625 Report post Posted February 24, 2011 I am technically poor as well if you take it to the eyes of the society, though I am not currently in debt, I am paying everything on my own, school, rent, food, car, wich honestly leave pretty much nothing at the end of the month. Probably compare to your average student I am more rich as I am paying everything from my own pocket and will soon live alone in my own appartement, but except some really rare extras, everything penny of me escorting go toward school. If I go out...I literally chase the restaurants when they have specials, all you can eat chickens wings on Monday for 10$...*drools* Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cat 262460 Report post Posted February 24, 2011 6 years ago this March, 4 US Marshalls escorted me shackled on a flight to Canada. I had a jailhouse uniform of gray track pants, a wife beater and a sweatshirt. I had a box with books, my comb, a toothbrush and a pair of running shoes. $26 in my pocket, No ID, no contacts but some estranged distant family here in Canada. I spent $13 on a shuttle from Pearson to Union Station to put a fellow deportee on a train to Montreal so they could get to their family. I walked across the street to the Royal York, put my box down, sat on it and marveled at how thin Canadians are and realized how cold it was without a coat here. Made it to Ottawa after a couple weeks of bouncing around Toronto streets and a friend brought Vivian (my Volvo) from the US. I lived in Vivian for the next 5 months working for every agency here in town at the same time and starved. I was lucky to do an appointment a week because I was "too old". I lived off of dinners from guys on Quest and washing up in the Tim Hortons around the city. I slept in the Kettleman's parking lot and down at the Byward Museum watching the city at night. Hurricane Katrina had pushed gas up to $1.35. I was being sent to Rockland and Almont for $90 after agency fees. A guest talked me into going independent but I didn't understand the online business here and didn't have a computer. I used Quest aquaintences computers for the first couple of months. I literally lived on carrots, yogurt and a couple of hot meals a week from Quest guys. Sometimes I would order way too much food so I could have some for later and I would make it last for days. The poor guys must have thought I was a greedy cow! If you are reading this...I apologize! I didn't realize how traumatized I was then, I just toodled around and smiled doing my thing. A Quest dinner date handed me keys to his place and told me to come over if I needed a shower or a safe place to lie down. We have become life long friends. I have started over a couple of times in my life, but this time was by far the financially poorest ever. It has been a bit of a roller coaster but I don't fear being dispossessed anymore. I know I could lose everything I have and I would be fine. I was happy altho a little stressed. I am still amazed at the patience and kindness so many people showed me. Not a day goes by that I don't look around and give thanks to what I have. Life is still a little hectic but I get by and that's really all I need... cat 6 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andee 220524 Report post Posted February 24, 2011 (edited) I usually gauge how poor I've been by what I was able to afford to eat. Here are some memories. In University, eating creamed corn and spaghetti noodles and picking up used transfers in the subway station to get on the streetcar to go home. When I was living in Alberta, having to phone my mother for a loan so that I could come back to Ontario because the guy I was figured out my pin number and cleaned out my back account. I stayed in the cheapest motels I could find and bought food at the grocery store (no restaurant meals for me) and prayed I'd have enough for gas to get me all the way. After another failed roommate scenario (I paid my rent to him, but he didn't so we got evicted and I had 1 day's notice that the Sheriff was coming to lock us out and it was February), had nowhere to live and no money to get a new place, and nowhere to store my belongings, but even then I had to leave some furniture behind. Luckily a friend offered the storage locker in her apt. building and my sister, her spare bed in her unfinished basement. A few guys I barely knew from the gas station down the street, rounded up a truck and helped me out. If it wasn't for my sister, I would have had to go to a shelter. I do not give homeless people money, but there was this nice older gent who used to hang around downtown where I worked and he was never discourteous to anyone. After seeing him there every day for a few months, I started getting him a coffee and an egg McMuffin if I happened to drop in there. He always, bowed his head and said, Thank you M'am. That felt good. One day he remarked it was his birthday and even pulled out his birth certificate to show me. That day, I gave him $10 and said, lunch is on me. I don't know what he did with the $10, but the smile on his face was worth it. Edited February 25, 2011 by Mature Angela fix text Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest tr*****e Report post Posted February 24, 2011 I remember several years ago I qualified for low income housing. In small town Saskatchewan my options were limited so I ended up living in an old folks home LOL!!! It was actually really funny and interesting! Nice to know I'm not alone in this! I find if I never go out of my apartment and interact with any of the other residents, I rarely think about it:icon_lol:! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cleo Catra 178382 Report post Posted February 25, 2011 Ugh, I've had times where I've had to count pennies to buy the bag of potatoes I'd live on for the week, and where I've had to lug a shopping cart of empties back to the store to buy toilet paper and shampoo. Not fun. I grew up 'poor' though. We were on mother's allowance, and all of our gifts at every occasion came from the Salvation Army. Not once, and I'm not kidding, not ONCE, did that bother me as a kid. I'd hear rich kids whining about how they didn't get enough Easter presents (easter presents??? really??), and I'd think of how happy and proud my mom was to lay out a pretty new dress for me to wear on that day, and I never understood why those kids weren't happy for what they received. I was happy, always. And it definitely helped me grow up in a great way, I wouldn't change a minute of that 'poor' life I grew up in. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
A***** A***** 510 Report post Posted February 25, 2011 when i lived in wpg and i was with the ex, i had nothing but pears insure and french fries to eat, those where from the foodbank! Ugh and at times all i had was three potatoes Posted via Mobile Device Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Angus Podgorny 1361 Report post Posted February 25, 2011 When I was a kid, my family was so poor when we went camping the bears hid THEIR FOOD up in the trees! And people only ASSUMED we were camping. That tent was the best home we ever had! And it wasn't even a real tent! It was a bunch of moldy burlap sacks quilted together with rusty barbed wire. And THAT was in GOOD TIMES! You should have seen us when things were rough! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roamingguy 300291 Report post Posted February 25, 2011 I remember my last year of university, after monthly rent paid for room (off campus), and meals at university cafeteria (paid for at the start of the academic year) it worked out I had money for a OC Transpo bus pass and $20.00 week pocket money...I decided to stop using the bus and walk...the money for that became more pocket money And starting out in the working world, made approx $800.00 month $400.00 rent, $200.00 car payment...not much to play with But hardship, no, just thought that's how it is starting out in life...and moved on up. RG Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
