article: Looking Poor?

[perSue]

I didn't know where this went, but thought I'd share.

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com...oLookPoor.aspx

Let me know if this doesnt work/open please

This is an article talking about what people do in order to NOT "look poor".

In our society there are lots of pressures to have the "best" or the "nicest looking" whatevers... and this article actually talks about some dollar figures AND other ways trying "NOT to look poor" costs us.

[mombottoo]

Good read!! Many of the points in the article are so true! I especially could relate to the following quote: "Although I grew up in what you might call reduced circumstances -- I remember asking my parents if we were poor, and, mortified, they said no, but I knew we were stretched -- I'm no longer in those shoes."

I definitely grew up poor, we got new clothes for school and while other kids were getting toys for Christmas we mainly received clothes again. Free hot lunch at school was another dead give away that we didn't have a bunch of money.

When my kids were growing up there were many times that the money coming in just didn't stretch far enough, but we made it on a shoestring and a prayer. Our neighbors assumed we were poor, probably because we have never been the type to keep up with the Joneses.

When we first moved into our house there were 3 vacant lots between us and the house next door. We had always said that if they ever came up for sale we would buy them. We had a verbal agreement with a neighbor across the street that if they came up for sale whoever bought them would split them with the other. Well they came up for sale and I had the agent's phone ringing as he was walking into his office. We put in an offer, but he told us he had to go across the street since a neighbor wanted to put in an offer too. We explained that those were the neighbors we were going to split the lots with...well he came back and apparantly these neighbors decided they weren't going to split them with us, but with the neighbors next door to them :surprise:! Needless to say we ended up with the lots, paid cash for them and our neighbors got a good lesson in putting a lot of stock into appearances !!! We still own the lots 15 years later and they had to buy one clean on the other side of the lake .

The neighbor did approach my hubby about still splitting the lots and I told my hubby to tell him it'd be over my cold, dead body.

[kellydoeshair]

I guess I just don't care about stuff like this
maybe idk
talking about buying clothes from Old Navy making someone look "poor"
that's not POOR to me, it's having perspective
if that makes someone look poor I would rather LOOK poor than like someone who thinks it's important to spend 1700 on a handbag
when I think poor I think having trouble EATING, like practically HOMELESS
not clipping coupons, and shopping sales
that to me is just smart
when I was little my parents didn't have a lot of money, we bought generic and shopped off season etc
then my dads company got HUGE and they have, well, a LOT now, but they don't live extravagantly my mom still makes some of her own clothes
they still use coupons even though they dont' HAVE to, that's just how they live
and that's how I am
it's just being smart with what you have

[Holly]

Gee the town people think we're rich for some dumb reason. ( we are not by any means)
Most of the people down town
are idiots , but thats another long story.

[Michelle68]

Interesting article--thanks for the link.


--Michelle

[M55FF]

I try my best not to look wealthy...
someone may follow me home and hurt me for soemthing they think I have... I sledom wear any of my jewlery, seldom wear makeup, and no fancy clothing except on rare occasion.
There have been times I've TRIED to look POOR... just so people wouldnt think I had any money and come buggin me for something

I found it of no value to look too good and well put together when haggling over prices on something. It is to no advantage to be dressed too well. Same goes for home furnishings...
I like everything low key, simple and the look of simplicity, not anything showy.. not ever !

Maybe I just don't embarrass very easily

[COUNTRYBUMPKIN]

I love the simple life and part of that life includes dressing for comfort. As a matter of fact, I just recently gave most of my dress clothes to Goodwill. I figure if I just have a few basic classic peices of clothing for my job and a few for events, that is all I need. I strive for comfort on my back and comfort in my home. I have no need to try to impress anyone. I am who I am. I feel that people who are judging me for my exteriors are not going to be a part of my life because I do not like shallowness in my life. Thank you for posting this article.

[shoiji]

Well I guess I am poor since going to Old Navy is considered big time for me! LOL I really can't imagine living like that. It really doesn't seem like living.

[bumplett]

I guess I just don't care about stuff like this
maybe idk
talking about buying clothes from Old Navy making someone look "poor"
that's not POOR to me, it's having perspective
if that makes someone look poor I would rather LOOK poor than like someone who thinks it's important to spend 1700 on a handbagwhen I think poor I think having trouble EATING, like practically HOMELESS
not clipping coupons, and shopping sales
that to me is just smart
when I was little my parents didn't have a lot of money, we bought generic and shopped off season etc
then my dads company got HUGE and they have, well, a LOT now, but they don't live extravagantly my mom still makes some of her own clothes
they still use coupons even though they dont' HAVE to, that's just how they live
and that's how I am
it's just being smart with what you have

Bravo!!!

[guest002]

Interesting read.

[ravenmaniac]

I enjoyed the article. I can remember growing up and not knowing the difference between clothing and shoe brands until 5th grade when a class mate made fun of me for not having Levis. Even then I didn't care because I didn't like his pants. I liked mine better. In Jr. High I wanted to fit in so I was more conscious. I had to shop with my grandmother because my mom couldn't afford clothing for all four of us children. We shopped the clearance racks for the best deals possible. I did fall into the trap of trying to have some of the latest styles but I couldn't keep up and it was silly. My husband and I found ourselves in a mound of debt that took years to get out of. I learned to be satisfied with what I have. I don't care what other people think. The funny thing is my husband's parents look like they don't have a pot to p*** in or a window to throw it out of. They own 2 homes land in North Carolina, 4 vehicles, and numerous other material things plus have A LOT of cash in the bank. Oh, and when I say own I mean they are debt free. I ask my husband all the time how come he doesn't have money sense like they do.

[pkellyc]

I must be really self absorbed. I guess I never really cared whether I looked poor or not. Now that I think about it I do live in a working class city. I guess if I lived in a place where there were people with a lot more money than I have living all around me, I might have worried about it more. I am so practical I doubt it but it might have happened.

[Dancing Lotus]

Your environment has a lot to do with it.We lived in an area where everyone had name brand everything. You didn't dare go to the grocery store without your makeup because you would probably be follow by security if you did. It was tremendous pressure and that has a lot to do with why we moved. Now I live in an area where I am the norm. In fact I am kinda out of place if I dress up at all. I am far more comfortable now. It's much easier to live a frugal life style now.

So for those of you who say that you don't care about those things and judge those of us who do . Remember that you don't know what our real lives are like and the kind of pressure we may be in at work or even in our neighborhoods.

[kaykwilts]

Does wearing cheap clothes make you queasy? No, I love getting bargains at thrift stores and yard sales when I can. I make a beeline for the clearance rack when I am in a store. I must admit I am a teeny bit embarrassed to admit to some of my clothes horse friends that I've gotten clothes at the thrift store.

Are you embarrassed to use coupons? I love using coupons. I wish stores in my town doubled so I could save even more! I have really been racking up on savings at CVS, Walgreen, and Riteaid.

Do you feel judged by your décor? A little bit. My couch and chairs are wearing out and I must admit I am embarrassed by them.

Did you buy your house, car, stereo or personal digital assistant to impress friends or family? No way. All our cars several years old and we could care less. At least we don't have a big fat car payment like some people we know.

[mom2matty]

I love the simple life and part of that life includes dressing for comfort. As a matter of fact, I just recently gave most of my dress clothes to Goodwill. I figure if I just have a few basic classic peices of clothing for my job and a few for events, that is all I need. I strive for comfort on my back and comfort in my home. I have no need to try to impress anyone. I am who I am. I feel that people who are judging me for my exteriors are not going to be a part of my life because I do not like shallowness in my life. Thank you for posting this article.

My thoughts exactly!!!