Living Poor In America

 


 I live on a fixed budget. I give myself a certain amount for the month and squirrel away the pittance for the future, mostly for my urn and money for my daughter who will have to be my closer. She will have to pack and get rid of my belongings. She will have to make the calls, close the accounts and grieve for her mom. The least I can do is pay for the end of the ride. In the meantime, this is my life.

Food...

The end of the month becomes what I call, "hacker week," where I create meals with one egg, a celery stick and a can of tuna. I eat mystery leftovers I have frozen during the month. Right now I'm eating meatballs with dumplings. It's not good, but I will not throw it away. I'm going to pick out the meatballs and make a sandwich with the last two pieces of bread I have. I might refreeze the dumplings. I will never go to a food bank as long as I have something in the house, which towards the end of the month consists of peanut butter and Bisquick. I like both, so it's not a hardship. Ramen is still cheap but I just cannot eat it. No coffee? A tea bag used twice will suffice.

Essentials...

This month I'm okay with toilet paper. There have been times when I've had to use party napkins which have one side of plastic. I peel off the plastic and save the porous bits. I have also had to use sanitary pads, baby wipes, tissue paper, or just a bottle as a bidet.

Shampoo, use dish soap. Dish soap, use shampoo.

Laundry detergent? See above. I have a washing machine but no dryer. I hang my clothes on a room divider then use a fan to dry them.

Band aids? Toilet paper and tape.

Hand lotion? Vicks VapoRub.

Going to a salon? Ha! I cut my own hair and my nails are shortened with clippers. 

A must in my house - safety pins, crackers, a bar of soap buried in my dresser drawer, $2 in change for the bus.

Fun...

I have Netflix. That's my entertainment. I have acrylics for crafts. I have a library within walking distance. I can walk to the lake for exercise and fresh air. I have not been to a movie theater in years. If I go out to a restaurant it's a treat from a friend or relative. My shoes were given to me by my sister who didn't like them.

Am I complaining? No. Am I fishing for sympathy? Hell, no. It is what it is. I've worked hard all my life but was never ambitious enough or smart enough to climb out of my self induced poverty, so that's on me. I come from a lower middle income background where sugar, cinnamon and butter on toast was a treat. Living on homemade pizza made with white bread and American cheese doesn't make me cry, it doesn't make me angry. By American  standards, I am poor. As they say, it's all relative. I have what I need. I get by. Life could be better. Life could be much worse. 

Comments

SAM said…
I get a mind set of self pity too often. It's not for stuff but people. I know stuff wise, I have more than most. I'm now on a fixed income I guess.
May 31, 2025 at 4:23 PM
ex-ferrer said…
Damn, Maggie. If you need anything, I'm your Ferrerman.
May 31, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Maggie said…
I'm fortunate to have people who have my back.
May 31, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Maggie said…
I know. You're the best. Thanks. I'm fine.
May 31, 2025 at 8:47 PM
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