Poverty if under $68,000?

**nodmicks** · 04-12-2011, 12:43 PM

Household Income Short of $68K? Welcome To the New Poverty

This just left me shaking my head

**nuisance26** · 04-12-2011, 01:24 PM

~And all the millions of people that live crowded into tiny huts or trash shacks with their relatives and eat diets of mainly beans, rice and foraged greens shake their heads at what our spoiled, rich country claims is poverty.

~

**Russ** · 04-12-2011, 01:28 PM

Originally Posted by nuisance26

~And all the millions of people that live crowded into tiny huts or trash shacks with their relatives and eat diets of mainly beans, rice and foraged greens shake their heads at what our spoiled, rich country claims is poverty.

~

Good point.

I wonder... If i put a link to the article on my FB page and ask people to discuss it, what some of the responses will be.

Obviously here at the village, we know how the majority will react.

**jennordhavn** · 04-12-2011, 01:34 PM

We make a bit more than that pre-tax, and we are a one-income family of four. I don't feel like we're even close to poverty! We don't pay child care, but we do pay private school tuition. Our rent is much higher than what they quote in the article and our car pymt/ins. is only about half of that. We live in a high-COL area, but shop grocery sales to get the best deals.

We do not have a lot of extra money, we don't really go on vacations, we don't buy a lot of "extras", and we aren't able to save a lot, but we are no where close to being in poverty!

**dancemommy** · 04-12-2011, 02:03 PM

We make a little more than that as a family of 6 and we live paycheck to paycheck BUT I'd hardly say we are impoverished. I do agree that it takes more to live comfortably than some think- I'd love to be able to live the lifestyle we now live AND have enough to start saving. But we have made some choices and we live with the consequences of those- for now. We choose to be a one income family- it is important to us that one of us be available to the kids and my husband has a very demanding job- it makes it easier on everyone if I am able to keep everything going at home. We choose to allow our children to follow their passions in various activities. They are expensive, but to us they are worth it so we sacrifice. We choose to live in an upper class area where the schools are good and our children are safe. We could live somewhere less expensive, but we want our children challenged in school, etc. Occasionally one of my children has asked if we were poor- lol. Usually it is as a result of them not getting the most expensive pair of shoes or me using a coupon for something. I always tell them that they don't even know what poor really is. But honestly, there are times when we have just cents to our name and we hold our breath hoping one check posts before the next one clears. We aren't in poverty, but we are paycheck to paycheck. I think that can be confused if you aren't real with yourself.

**akolb** · 04-12-2011, 02:13 PM

that's ridiculous. we make close to $45K pretax and even WHILE paying off debt like crazy, I NEVER have felt impoverished!
In fact, I feel like we are definitely at a point where we have everything we need and NEVER have to lean on family for financial help.
In fact, I am hoping that BF is going to start school full time and if so, we will be able to live solely off of my income.

It's all about choices America. People need to wake up and realize the best things in life aren't things.

**brennasmom** · 04-12-2011, 02:38 PM

It's alot about where you live.... cost of living varies greatly.

**nodmicks** · 04-12-2011, 02:40 PM

Most of my IRL friends do make this + and think they are broke. Dh and I were in the low 50's on his FT and my 1/4 time income and didnt feel broke. Sure $ is tight here and there but in the last few years we managed to save and pay cash for new windows and a 2010 car (used) on our "poverty" income. Yes we pinched pennies to get there.

**HappyMama** · 04-12-2011, 03:05 PM

Many people in this country make really good money, but are still broke all the time. They claim to be poor and victims of one sort of another. But in reality, they are only victims of their own poor financial planning. I am not talking the ones who had problems medical, unemployment or otherwise arise by the way.

I was talking with a friend the other day. He was telling me how lousy he had it - how poor he was and how he was "one paycheck away" from being broke.

And he was telling me this while we were riding in his leased new car.

He said to me, "You're lucky, you're rich!"

He thinks I'm rich because I drive a Mercedes. But it is a decade old, with over 140,000 miles It will probably have to serve me for another 5-10 years, at least. Meanwhile, my "poor" friend is already thinking of what brand new car he is going to buy - on payments, of course - once he turns in his leased car.

He thinks he is being financially responsible by buying a brand new car instead of leasing this time. Still expensive, though, no?

I suggested to him that he buy a slightly used car, for about half the amount of leasing, and then pay cash. But that only made him angry. "I can't afford to pay cash for a car! I'm not rich like you!" he said.

And yet when I tried to point out to him that the cost of the lease payments that he has been making over the last few years would buy a nice used Mercedes, he cut me off. I was rich, and he was "poor" and that was all there was to it - and yet he is the guy driving all the brand-new cars!

And here's the kicker - he makes much more money than I or many do. And he's "poor" and I'm "rich" - in his mind.

I just didn't get it. But then again, I do.

Poor Financial Choices cause poverty, period. And poverty-think leads to poverty, no matter how much money the government can throw at you. If you think like a poor person - buying things on time and going for the worst sort of financial deals - you will remain poor a long, long time.

It is called the culture of poverty. If you think poor, you are poor, as simple as that, even if you make a lot of money. And today in America, there are people making $50,000 to $100,000 a year who think they are "poor" only because they buy into this idea that they are a put-upon group of victims, and because they squander their money.

And the descent of the middle-class into de-facto poverty - by squandering of money - is particularly pathetic and alarming. And totally unnecessary.

With that said I do know it all comes down to cost of living, where you live, unfortunate circumstances of medical or other factors. I do know many planned well ,and are out of work and need help, should receive help and blessings and are having a hard time.

But when I talk poor planning I include going out for fast food all the time, never planning shopping buying in bulk or cooking with a crock pot, oven timer or bulk cooking and pulling from the freezer . So then they always go out to dinner, never have a stocked pantry to make a meal, lunch or soup if someone is ill so take out again.

Poor gift planning, like birthdays or Christmas come at a different time every year...LOL

Poor investment planning.

Always buying on credit so paying 12- 40 percent or more interest every month instead of saving up. Car leases or payments , that they don't cut their losses when times get tough and then lose the car and the house....sigh when off work for only 3 months.

Buying a house at the financial limit of your income, not considering buying on one income if you make two so in case something happens. Figuring in your cost of gas, food and incidentals in your budget of whether you can really afford the house payment, taxes, maintenance, and upkeep. Downsizing when the need first arises or signs of income distress.

Co signing for anyone that has had a ton of bad financial decisions prior, can't manage their money and you are baling them out for the 10th time.

I also consider poor planning giving in to all wants in the family instead of decideing needs and sales that will let you get at a better price.

Poor planning might be never shopping sales, cherry picking, bulk buying and shopping the local gas station for all your groceries and never ever cooking at home. Yes I have seen it. Poor planning might be saying I can't afford to buy or eat healthy but spending more in health care costs and enough fast food to feed a small nation in the 3rd world.

Buying and living your life on borrowed credit, and time will make you depressed, sick , fearful and not free to make other choices later when a good opportunity does arise. And if you believe, try, and work hard at making good choices those days of a good opportunity will always arise and come to you., whether you take advantage or choose to pass up will be up to you and not others. Being in debt or impoverished when making good money will enslave you.

Blessings to all here who are on the path to good financial choices, freedom and trying however that might be to improve your chances, choices and outcome daily.

Whether living like no one else, baby steps, paying down debt, or learning new things you are here trying and that deserves kudos where ever you are at. We all had to start somewhere and we are all learning every day.

**nodmicks** · 04-12-2011, 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by HappyMama

Many people in this country make really good money, but are still broke all the time. They claim to be poor and victims of one sort of another. But in reality, they are only victims of their own poor financial planning. I am not talking the ones who had problems medical, unemployment or otherwise arise by the way.

I was talking with a friend the other day. He was telling me how lousy he had it - how poor he was and how he was "one paycheck away" from being broke.

And he was telling me this while we were riding in his leased new car.

He said to me, "You're lucky, you're rich!"

He thinks I'm rich because I drive a Mercedes. But it is a decade old, with over 140,000 miles It will probably have to serve me for another 5-10 years, at least. Meanwhile, my "poor" friend is already thinking of what brand new car he is going to buy - on payments, of course - once he turns in his leased car.

He thinks he is being financially responsible by buying a brand new car instead of leasing this time. Still expensive, though, no?

I suggested to him that he buy a slightly used car, for about half the amount of leasing, and then pay cash. But that only made him angry. "I can't afford to pay cash for a car! I'm not rich like you!" he said.

And yet when I tried to point out to him that the cost of the lease payments that he has been making over the last few years would buy a nice used Mercedes, he cut me off. I was rich, and he was "poor" and that was all there was to it - and yet he is the guy driving all the brand-new cars!

And here's the kicker - he makes much more money than I or many do. And he's "poor" and I'm "rich" - in his mind.

I just didn't get it. But then again, I do.

Poor Financial Choices cause poverty, period. And poverty-think leads to poverty, no matter how much money the government can throw at you. If you think like a poor person - buying things on time and going for the worst sort of financial deals - you will remain poor a long, long time.

It is called the culture of poverty. If you think poor, you are poor, as simple as that, even if you make a lot of money. And today in America, there are people making $50,000 to $100,000 a year who think they are "poor" only because they buy into this idea that they are a put-upon group of victims, and because they squander their money.

And the descent of the middle-class into de-facto poverty - by squandering of money - is particularly pathetic and alarming. And totally unnecessary.

With that said I do know it all comes down to cost of living, where you live, unfortunate circumstances of medical or other factors. I do know many planned well ,and are out of work and need help, should receive help and blessings and are having a hard time.

But when I talk poor planning I include going out for fast food all the time, never planning shopping buying in bulk or cooking with a crock pot, oven timer or bulk cooking and pulling from the freezer . So then they always go out to dinner, never have a stocked pantry to make a meal, lunch or soup if someone is ill so take out again.

Poor gift planning, like birthdays or Christmas come at a different time every year...LOL

Poor investment planning.

Always buying on credit so paying 12- 40 percent or more interest every month instead of saving up. Car leases or payments , that they don't cut their losses when times get tough and then lose the car and the house....sigh when off work for only 3 months.

Buying a house at the financial limit of your income, not considering buying on one income if you make two so in case something happens. Figuring in your cost of gas, food and incidentals in your budget of whether you can really afford the house payment, taxes, maintenance, and upkeep. Downsizing when the need first arises or signs of income distress.

Co signing for anyone that has had a ton of bad financial decisions prior, can't manage their money and you are baling them out for the 10th time.

I also consider poor planning giving in to all wants in the family instead of decideing needs and sales that will let you get at a better price.

Poor planning might be never shopping sales, cherry picking, bulk buying and shopping the local gas station for all your groceries and never ever cooking at home. Yes I have seen it. Poor planning might be saying I can't afford to buy or eat healthy but spending more in health care costs and enough fast food to feed a small nation in the 3rd world.

Buying and living your life on borrowed credit, and time will make you depressed, sick , fearful and not free to make other choices later when a good opportunity does arise. And if you believe, try, and work hard at making good choices those days of a good opportunity will always arise and come to you., whether you take advantage or choose to pass up will be up to you and not others. Being in debt or impoverished when making good money will enslave you.

Blessings to all here who are on the path to good financial choices, freedom and trying however that might be to improve your chances, choices and outcome daily.

Whether living like no one else, baby steps, paying down debt, or learning new things you are here trying and that deserves kudos where ever you are at. We all had to start somewhere and we are all learning every day.

This is my fav post ever I think!

**Samigirl** · 04-12-2011, 03:35 PM

Ridiculous. Someone who is spending $12,000 a year on car payments and insurance is not poverty stricken.

**Brat** · 04-12-2011, 03:42 PM

why can a single person live on just over $10th and a family of 4 can't live on $62th with out proverty..I guess that I am a bit touchy about this as I am now single..I am lucky that I have my home paid for but I still have to have transportaion,insurance, utilities, and food..yet I am to be able to live on so little..It isn't easy but you can get by with no extras. That is if you don't have any Dr. bills or health issues. You still have expense and i get by as cheap as possible..