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I once forgot to bring my wallet to office. I rarely borrow money so I very reluctantly asked for 20 bucks from a colleague. It was supposed to take care of bre

I once forgot to bring my wallet to office. I rarely borrow money so I very reluctantly asked for 20 bucks from a colleague. It was supposed to take care of breakfast/lunch/dinner (probably should have borrowed more considering the location where I was, it wasn't a given that it'll be sufficient). I remember carefully checking the prices of items to decide what I was going to order so that I had enough for the next meal. This was not even remotely close to being poor but it was enough to provide me with some direct perspective.

rogy 7y ago
20$ for a single day of food gives you ‘direct perspective’ ? come on now.
- tempestn 7y ago
  Why not read it with a modicum of charity? Or even just quote the whole sentence? The parent was clearly saying the experience was nothing remotely like poverty, but helped give some perspective on what it might be like to have to regularly think about making money stretch to the next meal. Many people who've had a cushion of savings their whole lives would never consider that experience at all.
- jimbokun 7y ago
  "This was not even remotely close to being poor..."
- beerandt 7y ago
  Having to think (as in spend any mental effort) about money at all, in the context of regular daily purchases? I mean it's not anywhere near the level of worrying about where the next meal is coming from, but it is a reminder of one of the many stressors that the poor are constantly dealing with. Budgeting is always stressful. Having to exert that effort every day on every purchase, instead of weekly/monthly (and only on larger purchases) is a lot of mental energy that could be spent in more productive ways. That becomes easy to forget sometimes. Edit: I didn't think this would be controversial... I'm honestly asking, why?
AndrewThrowaway 7y ago
I remember being a kid and going grocery shopping with my father. At the end of the shopping father realized that he has left his wallet at home and only had something like spare 50 in his pocket. Having to decide what we will buy, and what we should leave for the next time was a really uncomfortable experience...
esotericn 7y ago
Heh. It's funny, because your post reads like a parody, but I don't doubt at all that it's true; I stopped having to use that 'skill' at around age 22 or so, I can easily see how people born middle class wouldn't understand. Having said that, the amusing bit is more that $20 is an absolute shedload of money. Less than ten years ago I would spend approximately that on a week's worth of food. Eating out is a rich man's game.
- matwood 7y ago
  > I stopped having to use that 'skill' at around age 22 or so, I can easily see how people born middle class wouldn't understand. Same. Carving up $20 between food for the family and gas was a common occurrence growing up. Even 20 years later I feel a satisfaction when I fill the car up with gas without much care to the cost.

rogy 7y ago

20$ for a single day of food gives you ‘direct perspective’ ? come on now.

tempestn 7y ago
Why not read it with a modicum of charity? Or even just quote the whole sentence? The parent was clearly saying the experience was nothing remotely like poverty, but helped give some perspective on what it might be like to have to regularly think about making money stretch to the next meal. Many people who've had a cushion of savings their whole lives would never consider that experience at all.
jimbokun 7y ago
"This was not even remotely close to being poor..."
beerandt 7y ago
Having to think (as in spend any mental effort) about money at all, in the context of regular daily purchases? I mean it's not anywhere near the level of worrying about where the next meal is coming from, but it is a reminder of one of the many stressors that the poor are constantly dealing with. Budgeting is always stressful. Having to exert that effort every day on every purchase, instead of weekly/monthly (and only on larger purchases) is a lot of mental energy that could be spent in more productive ways. That becomes easy to forget sometimes. Edit: I didn't think this would be controversial... I'm honestly asking, why?

AndrewThrowaway 7y ago

I remember being a kid and going grocery shopping with my father. At the end of the shopping father realized that he has left his wallet at home and only had something like spare 50 in his pocket. Having to decide what we will buy, and what we should leave for the next time was a really uncomfortable experience...

esotericn 7y ago

Heh. It's funny, because your post reads like a parody, but I don't doubt at all that it's true; I stopped having to use that 'skill' at around age 22 or so, I can easily see how people born middle class wouldn't understand. Having said that, the amusing bit is more that $20 is an absolute shedload of money. Less than ten years ago I would spend approximately that on a week's worth of food. Eating out is a rich man's game.

matwood 7y ago
> I stopped having to use that 'skill' at around age 22 or so, I can easily see how people born middle class wouldn't understand. Same. Carving up $20 between food for the family and gas was a common occurrence growing up. Even 20 years later I feel a satisfaction when I fill the car up with gas without much care to the cost.