Broke vs. Poor

[mjbaby]

I, like many people, throw around the word "poor" - as in, "Oh, I'm so poor I'm only going to be able to buy one pair of shoes this spring! Woe!". I've been thinking a lot lately, though, about the word, what it means, and if the word I ought to be using is "broke". Yeah, I may not have a lot of cash all the time, and I may actually have to wait some amount of time (shorter or longer) before satisfying some want, and I may even go a bit late on a bit every now and again. But am I poor? Does saying "poor" in these circumstances desensitize me and others to what being poor really means?

After all, I have employment choices. I can and have left jobs for no other reason than I didn't like them. I had no fear, I found other jobs. Can someone who is truly poor do this?

I have educational choices. I have a graduate degree (MBA) and could go on collecting degrees if I wanted. I can apply and enroll and any time, I am not beholden to knowing the ropes of obtaining aid or finding an employer who will pay.

I have housing choices. There are few communities in which I couldn't find *somewhere* to live. Sure, in some places it might be a small apartment and in other a large house but I could live in many locales and if an place proved unacceptable, I could move without worrying about my deposit, finding another affordable space, having a landlord impound my stuff or whatever.

I am reasonably healthy and, although I've gone without health insurance a time or two, I have enough understanding of nutrition and health to take good care of myself during these times and reduce worry. I could also leave an unhealthy work or home environment, if it came to that.


You see where I'm going with this, right? I might be broke from time to time but I really don't think that I'm "poor". I'm educated, know my rights and how to exercise my choices, and I'm not a minority in race or religion and so face little or no prejudice that could affect to remove any choices.

Basically, is "broke" an economic problem whether long- or short-term? Is "poor" a societal problem involving education, economics, geography and other larger issues?

 

[OhMari]

I think you are Blessed, you should count your Blessings.

 

[mjbaby]

I think you are Blessed, you should count your Blessings.

Oh, believe me, I do!

And I want to be clear - I'm not saying that I'm rich, far from it. I'm just saying that lately I'm becoming more aware that my period of not having cash at hand (no matter how long those period might last) aren't me being "poor", they're me being "broke" and that they are very different things.

 

[punkin]

Yes. You and I and everyone on this board (no matter how high their credit card balances) are better of than 99% of the people in this world. We do not have to deal with war, famine or pestilence in a close up and personal manner. We have homes, computers, clothes on our back and food in our pantries (even if it's just rice and beans). None of us are poor.

 

[wide awake]

You may want to read " Red Shoes for Nancy" by Nancy Hamilton...she discusses the broke vs. poor terms in the first few pages. You won't worry about the distinction once you've read the book.

 

[HaleyB]

I actually am not a stickler for terms unless I am in a debate/argument. Poor/broke we all know what people mean when they say this. I remember reading that 80% of all people did not live in permanant housing. Some by choice but most by need. We can forget how good we have it, but I don't think the word we pick to describe our finacial situation is what desensitize us to poverty.

 

[rkmassa]

I, like many people, throw around the word "poor" - as in, "Oh, I'm so poor I'm only going to be able to buy one pair of shoes this spring! Woe!". I've been thinking a lot lately, though, about the word, what it means, and if the word I ought to be using is "broke". Yeah, I may not have a lot of cash all the time, and I may actually have to wait some amount of time (shorter or longer) before satisfying some want, and I may even go a bit late on a bit every now and again. But am I poor? Does saying "poor" in these circumstances desensitize me and others to what being poor really means?

After all, I have employment choices. I can and have left jobs for no other reason than I didn't like them. I had no fear, I found other jobs. Can someone who is truly poor do this?

I have educational choices. I have a graduate degree (MBA) and could go on collecting degrees if I wanted. I can apply and enroll and any time, I am not beholden to knowing the ropes of obtaining aid or finding an employer who will pay.

I have housing choices. There are few communities in which I couldn't find *somewhere* to live. Sure, in some places it might be a small apartment and in other a large house but I could live in many locales and if an place proved unacceptable, I could move without worrying about my deposit, finding another affordable space, having a landlord impound my stuff or whatever.

I am reasonably healthy and, although I've gone without health insurance a time or two, I have enough understanding of nutrition and health to take good care of myself during these times and reduce worry. I could also leave an unhealthy work or home environment, if it came to that.


You see where I'm going with this, right? I might be broke from time to time but I really don't think that I'm "poor". I'm educated, know my rights and how to exercise my choices, and I'm not a minority in race or religion and so face little or no prejudice that could affect to remove any choices.

Basically, is "broke" an economic problem whether long- or short-term? Is "poor" a societal problem involving education, economics, geography and other larger issues?

Very well said.

 

[jenfur]

I'm educated, know my rights and how to exercise my choices, and I'm not a minority in race or religion and so face little or no prejudice that could affect to remove any choices.

I don't think this particular sentence has anything to do with being poor. I think there are many poor people who are well educated ect. In my opinion, being broke means, I have no money now, but more is on the way. Poor is when you have little or no money and have no idea if or when more is on the way.

Most people would consider my family poor, but I feel we are far from it.

 

[tink2dw]

2004 Poverty Guidelines for the 48 Contiguous States and the
District of Columbia
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Poverty
Size of family unit guideline
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1....................................................... $9,310
2....................................................... 12,490
3....................................................... 15,670
4....................................................... 18,850
5....................................................... 22,030
6....................................................... 25,210
7....................................................... 28,390
8....................................................... 31,570
------------------------------------------------------------------------

For family units with more than 8 members, add $3,180 for each
additional member. (The same increment applies to smaller family sizes
also, as can be seen in the figures above.)

 

[minkydog]

I went on a medical mission trip a few years ago to the interior of Jamaica, far from the tourist areas. We experienced some eye-opening things, like people who have no toilets. One room shacks made of corrugated aluminum. Pigs living under the house. Old ladies who walked 2hrs over mountains to get free blood pressure meds. Young mothers who couldn't afford Tylenol for the sick babies. Lots of people who exist on yams, pineapple and the occasional fish--once a day. Women who lost 36wk "premies" because of lack of medical care. Asthma from cooking over fires. Venereal disease. Worms. More rotten teeth than you can count.

My idea of poverty was changed forever.

 

[jenfur]

2004 Poverty Guidelines for the 48 Contiguous States and the
District of Columbia
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Poverty
Size of family unit guideline
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1....................................................... $9,310
2....................................................... 12,490
3....................................................... 15,670
4....................................................... 18,850
5....................................................... 22,030
6....................................................... 25,210
7....................................................... 28,390
8....................................................... 31,570
------------------------------------------------------------------------

For family units with more than 8 members, add $3,180 for each
additional member. (The same increment applies to smaller family sizes
also, as can be seen in the figures above.)

WOW, even the US Gov't thinks we're poor. I remember a few years ago sitting at the Pepper Market in WDW and my stepson saying, "it's nice to be poor." He was only 9 and wasn't being sarcastic at all. We adults just laughed. Poor is more than a number. I think Minkydog's post hits the nail on the head.

 

[stemikger]

Broke is temporary

Poor is a state of mind

 

[ducklite]

I agree, poor and broke are two different things.

I feel "broke" right now. I just had to make the initial payment on DS's COBRA coverage ($1500), plus had one of those one year same as cash credit cards come due--I've been making payments on it all year, but did have to fork over $1200 as a "Final" to avoid interest--which wouldn't have been such a big deal other than the above mentioned COBRA payment. Plus my car insurance came due, and I had a couple unexpected larger purchases made to help a family member who is really struggling and had an emergency come up on my credit card statement--not to mention that I've been paying OOP for DS's meds since his insurance ran out--to the tune of $500/mo (which will be reimbursed once I get the COBRA in place, but *ouch*!). At any rate, that all adds up to having about $35 left in my checking account--and having to take a bit out of savings to cover part of the COBRA payment.

But I certainly don't feel "poor." I have savings and equity in my home. I don't feel rich either, but I do feel blessed.

I also think "poor" is very subjective. I have friends who think they are "poor" who live in a more expensive home than mine, both drive a $45K SUV, and spend gobs of money on "toys." (They are the poster children for needing to learn the difference between poor and broke!) I also have friends who live just above the poverty line and feel that because their needs are taken care of, they are blessed, and certainly not poor.

Anne

 

[rkmassa]

Broke is temporary

Poor is a state of mind

Tell that to the poor people of the world when they have no food, clean water to drink, medical supplies, housing, etc. It's their state of mind.

 

[my3kids]

food in our pantries .

Oh my goodness. You said pantRies. I read it wrong the first time and was very confused.

 

[stemikger]

Hey Rkmassa, Take a chill pill.

I'm not talking about poverty in third world countries, I'm talking about people who can do better but because of circumstances they feel trapped. Anyone who lives in this country can better themselves. Not everyone can be rich, but most people who motiviate themselves can eat.

In third world countries they can't do better no matter how motivated they are. So I think we both agree on that so TAKE A CHILL PILL AND STOP MAKING EVERYTHING SO PC.

IMHO if you were born in this country you already hit the lottery.

 

[dvcgirl]

Hey Rkmassa, Take a chill pill.

I'm not talking about poverty in third world countries, I'm talking about people who can do better but because of circumstances they feel trapped. Anyone who lives in this country can better themselves. Not everyone can be rich, but most people who motiviate themselves can eat.

In third world countries they can't do better no matter how motivated they are. So I think we both agree on that so TAKE A CHILL PILL AND STOP MAKING EVERYTHING SO PC.

IMHO if you were born in this country you already hit the lottery.

I know what you are saying stemikger. I think we all understand the difference between living being "poor" in a thatched roof hut with a dirt floor and being "poor" because we can't get to Disney World this year. People do need to lighten up a bit.

I know people in the latter group...though. People who think that they are "poor", but simply have no bugget and spend more than they make. That's why they feel poor, because they have no idea where their money is going and therefore feel out of control with their finances.

 

[mlwear]

Broke is temporary

Poor is a state of mind

I agree with this statement. Of course, we all know that there are many (most) countries whose people have no idea of the luxuries even the most modest American enjoys. That's a given, in my book.

I grew up with a mother who always said we are poor. She had some very difficult times in her childhood that I think deeply affected the way that she sees things. There were a few rough patches in my childhood, as well, which I think traumatized her further. As a child I didn't understand the difference between "poor" and "broke". Could my parents pay their bills? Could they afford my school supplies? It caused so much anxiety and literally many sleepless nights for me as far back as 6 years old that I remember. By no means were parents broke (except for a short while during the recession when my dad lost his job and she literally had no money for groceries until she finally asked her parents). My parents for the most part had a middle class income. My mom was just very frugal and we didn't have many of the things the other kids did. She always drove her car until it would no longer run, cut our hair, we seldom went out to eat and then it was fast food, never took vacations, that sort of thing. Could they have afforded to do more? Most of the time, yes. But, my mom felt poor. Whenever I or my brother and sister would ask for anything she would tell us we were poor (often screaming). I think the few times that mom's parents and mom and my dad were "broke" (meaning couldn't pay bills, buy groceries, had NO money) scared and traumatized her and left her with the mind set of always being "poor" or always living as if she is "poor". She was broke then, but not poor forever. (I know now that she has secret accounts, stocks, properties that she set up later in life.)
The "poor" mindset affected me greatly as a child. And now as an adult. I wrote about this long ago and won't get too OT, but I don't ever want my kids to have that worry of being "poor". As a result, I seldom talk about money to my kids. My children will never hear a discussion between DH and I regarding the gas bill or whether or not we can afford something. I know this is not good parenting. I don't want them to worry about money. I know, I know this is setting them up for problems as adults. It is a parenting struggle that I am working on little by little. I won't get into ex. as I don't want to hijack the thread.

 

[Tissa]

My mother said just the other day that she was tired of being poor. I told her she needs a wake up call if she thinks she's poor. Poor people don't drive around in 30K trucks with xm radio. She thinks being poor is having to keep to a budget. If she wasn't poor she would be able to go and buy as much stuff as she wants to without looking at the price tag. With her way of thinking I guess she'll always be poor.

 

[Chicago526]

IMHO if you were born in this country you already hit the lottery.

Truer words were never spoken.

I remember when I was 5 or 6, my mom told me that "Just being able to live in the US made me one of the luckiest people in the world". I didn't know quite what that meant at the time (I knew other countries had poor people, I'd see them on the news) but it wasn't until I was much older that I really understood what that really meant.

Even the poorest people in the US have access to basic education, sanitation, food, clean water, and shelter. Those that find themselves in need can usually find either government or private assistance. Think about that, our poorest citizens have a higher standard of living than millions, if not billions, of other people on this planet.

That's not to dismiss the poor in this country, we can and should do more to help those who need it. But it's amazing to stop and look at the bigger picture.