One thing that those of us, that have struggled to make ends meet, share in common is appreciation for what we DO have. What we HAVE had.....and what we WILL have.
Does anyone with 'money' have any idea how expensive it is to be poor?
May I share some examples?
HYDRO....It's tough to keep up with monthly payments and sometimes they can get out of hand...
Before you know it there is the note left at the door...Pay $500 by Thursday 10am or your services will be disconnected....By the way, a service charge of $30 is added because of a personal visit to drop off the 'letter'.
For those that can come up with $500 within two days, there is that comfortable feeling of knowing there will be lights, TV, fridge, stove, microwave etc.... At least for another month or two.
For those of us that cannot come up with $500 immediately and have no chance of it being available within the next week then its just a matter of days before the lights go out...before the fridge no longer can hold food for any more than a day or two...before the TV goes dead.....
So, how long before you can come up with the $500?..A week? A month?
Don't worry...it's not worth manipulating the budget to attempt to get back what everyone considers a necessity, but which those of us know is a luxury...By the time you have some money to pay...the bill is no longer $500 +$30...
The meter would have been read, and in addition the current bill would be added also....
$500 very quickly turns into $800...Already getting beyond the capability of even those with regular income...never mind those struggling...
But...it doesn't stop there....
BECAUSE you are struggling and couldn't pay the bill...there is a DEPOSIT required... $800...in ADDITION to the bill!
$1600....How many people can afford that?
'Poor' people have to!
How do they cope?
Entertainment consists of battery powered radios...that is IF you can afford the batteries.
Lighting will be by candlelight...IF you can afford the candles....
Reading by candlelight may be fine for those blessed with good eyesight but for many of us its an impossibility.
Cooking is a challenge....How can you cook meals without a stove or microwave?
Eating 'out' is not an option...
You can barely afford to keep the basics in the fridge under normal circumstances.....now, with no fridge, you have to buy day-to-day...one or two things at a time..and without a car there is the added cost of $5 for bus fare each time you visit the superstore, or you are faced with exaggerated prices at the local Hasty Market.
Winter without hydro is not a pleasant experience!
Nothing to do but sleep after it gets dark...5pm until 14 hours later when you watch for the sunrise so you can see where you are going without stumbling over everything.
How do you get ready for work in the dark? Candlelight may be flattering at night but does nothing for the application of make-up that will be scrutinised in the daylight.
You no longer have a washing machine to wash your clothes....Using the launderette is an option, but by this time money is so tight for the basics, like food, that it gets pushed aside until it becomes out of hand and accumulates on the basement floor in plastic bags, leaving only a few basic pieces that you have to wash by hand....
Without a dryer, you have to hang clothes out on a washing line, but as everyone knows...Although it smells lovely and fresh...it's wrinkled and needs ironing...but...with no electric...you can't iron it!
All this, (and more) until you can come up with the $1600 needed to reconnect the hydro!
GAS...
You come home one day to find your gas has been disconnected....
Your bill was $500....but once it is disconnected it immediately has the current bill added and the amount used until disconnection day.....before you know it, the provider is asking for $800...and lets not forget the added charges and of course the deposit...(payable before reconnection)..another $200...
You now have to pay $1,000 for the luxury of hot water and, in the winter....heat!
How long will it take you to get that kind of money together?
No heating, which in summer months is not a problem
To stay warm in the winter, you may need to use electric heaters to keep the chill off the room...of course lets not forget the cost of running those things....before you know it your hydro bill gets out of control and you risk losing your hydro too!
The circle is never ending....
You try so hard to keep paying the priority bills that sometimes the smaller bills take second place and fall under the radar...That is until you suddenly arrive home to find your WATER shut off!
Life without water in a household is very difficult.
Taking a shower is out of the question...Washing hands is no longer an option except from a bottle of spring water...
You pray for rain...so you can gather some water to use in the toilet tank....or give to the cats so they don't die from dehydration....or to wash your hair.
No running water leads to many problems that most people cannot begin to understand....its like camping without the equipment and without the 'lake'...
Toilets no longer work
Its a total challenge...
***************************************************************************.
Everything about being 'poor' is a challenge, but it gives you something others will never understand..
Appreciation....
Once you've lived without HYDRO, GAS and WATER you never take anything for granted...
Hot showers are a luxury you cherish..
Cold drinks from a fridge..Ice clinking in the glass is heaven...
TV becomes a comfort, even if only the channels received from 'rabbit ears'...
Clean clothes...free of wrinkles...
Being able to flush the toilet....a luxury
The list is endless.........but lets not forget , what I believe is the most important aspect, that is often not recognised by those that have never had the challenge of being without the 'essentials' and needing help.
The generosity and caring of others!
People DO care.....but they need to know!
The perception that everyone is so self involved that they don't 'give a darn' about the less fortunate is a fallacy....
From my experience, I have found how wonderful everyone is....Once they know your plight, most people love to help, but until they are asked, or made aware, they are oblivious to it all.
It's hard to admit to being so 'poor' that you cannot afford what others consider to be the very basics of life...but once you recognise that no matter what the circumstances that got you into that position, (and very often through no fault of your own) that it is important to not be embarrassed to ask for help.
It's a challenge, but with help from others it is possible to overcome the adversities and emerge from it knowing that you know what life is all about...
Maybe one day YOU will be the one that recognises the signs of helplessness in someone else and be in the position to help them face the challenges ahead.
Although money is the 'problem'..it's the caring that helps to motivate those less fortunate.
****************************************************************************
Nothing is impossible...
Once you find yourself in the position of having to cope without the 'essentials' its important not to 'give up'.
There is a way around every challenge you may face...whether it be asking for 'help' from others or training yourself to be resourceful.
Keeping a sense of humour helps also!
Thankfully I was blessed with that!
Does anyone with 'money' have any idea how expensive it is to be poor?
May I share some examples?
HYDRO....It's tough to keep up with monthly payments and sometimes they can get out of hand...
Before you know it there is the note left at the door...Pay $500 by Thursday 10am or your services will be disconnected....By the way, a service charge of $30 is added because of a personal visit to drop off the 'letter'.
For those that can come up with $500 within two days, there is that comfortable feeling of knowing there will be lights, TV, fridge, stove, microwave etc.... At least for another month or two.
For those of us that cannot come up with $500 immediately and have no chance of it being available within the next week then its just a matter of days before the lights go out...before the fridge no longer can hold food for any more than a day or two...before the TV goes dead.....
So, how long before you can come up with the $500?..A week? A month?
Don't worry...it's not worth manipulating the budget to attempt to get back what everyone considers a necessity, but which those of us know is a luxury...By the time you have some money to pay...the bill is no longer $500 +$30...
The meter would have been read, and in addition the current bill would be added also....
$500 very quickly turns into $800...Already getting beyond the capability of even those with regular income...never mind those struggling...
But...it doesn't stop there....
BECAUSE you are struggling and couldn't pay the bill...there is a DEPOSIT required... $800...in ADDITION to the bill!
$1600....How many people can afford that?
'Poor' people have to!
How do they cope?
Entertainment consists of battery powered radios...that is IF you can afford the batteries.
Lighting will be by candlelight...IF you can afford the candles....
Reading by candlelight may be fine for those blessed with good eyesight but for many of us its an impossibility.
Cooking is a challenge....How can you cook meals without a stove or microwave?
Eating 'out' is not an option...
You can barely afford to keep the basics in the fridge under normal circumstances.....now, with no fridge, you have to buy day-to-day...one or two things at a time..and without a car there is the added cost of $5 for bus fare each time you visit the superstore, or you are faced with exaggerated prices at the local Hasty Market.
Winter without hydro is not a pleasant experience!
Nothing to do but sleep after it gets dark...5pm until 14 hours later when you watch for the sunrise so you can see where you are going without stumbling over everything.
How do you get ready for work in the dark? Candlelight may be flattering at night but does nothing for the application of make-up that will be scrutinised in the daylight.
You no longer have a washing machine to wash your clothes....Using the launderette is an option, but by this time money is so tight for the basics, like food, that it gets pushed aside until it becomes out of hand and accumulates on the basement floor in plastic bags, leaving only a few basic pieces that you have to wash by hand....
Without a dryer, you have to hang clothes out on a washing line, but as everyone knows...Although it smells lovely and fresh...it's wrinkled and needs ironing...but...with no electric...you can't iron it!
All this, (and more) until you can come up with the $1600 needed to reconnect the hydro!
GAS...
You come home one day to find your gas has been disconnected....
Your bill was $500....but once it is disconnected it immediately has the current bill added and the amount used until disconnection day.....before you know it, the provider is asking for $800...and lets not forget the added charges and of course the deposit...(payable before reconnection)..another $200...
You now have to pay $1,000 for the luxury of hot water and, in the winter....heat!
How long will it take you to get that kind of money together?
No heating, which in summer months is not a problem
To stay warm in the winter, you may need to use electric heaters to keep the chill off the room...of course lets not forget the cost of running those things....before you know it your hydro bill gets out of control and you risk losing your hydro too!
The circle is never ending....
You try so hard to keep paying the priority bills that sometimes the smaller bills take second place and fall under the radar...That is until you suddenly arrive home to find your WATER shut off!
Life without water in a household is very difficult.
Taking a shower is out of the question...Washing hands is no longer an option except from a bottle of spring water...
You pray for rain...so you can gather some water to use in the toilet tank....or give to the cats so they don't die from dehydration....or to wash your hair.
No running water leads to many problems that most people cannot begin to understand....its like camping without the equipment and without the 'lake'...
Toilets no longer work
Its a total challenge...
***************************************************************************.
Everything about being 'poor' is a challenge, but it gives you something others will never understand..
Appreciation....
Once you've lived without HYDRO, GAS and WATER you never take anything for granted...
Hot showers are a luxury you cherish..
Cold drinks from a fridge..Ice clinking in the glass is heaven...
TV becomes a comfort, even if only the channels received from 'rabbit ears'...
Clean clothes...free of wrinkles...
Being able to flush the toilet....a luxury
The list is endless.........but lets not forget , what I believe is the most important aspect, that is often not recognised by those that have never had the challenge of being without the 'essentials' and needing help.
The generosity and caring of others!
People DO care.....but they need to know!
The perception that everyone is so self involved that they don't 'give a darn' about the less fortunate is a fallacy....
From my experience, I have found how wonderful everyone is....Once they know your plight, most people love to help, but until they are asked, or made aware, they are oblivious to it all.
It's hard to admit to being so 'poor' that you cannot afford what others consider to be the very basics of life...but once you recognise that no matter what the circumstances that got you into that position, (and very often through no fault of your own) that it is important to not be embarrassed to ask for help.
It's a challenge, but with help from others it is possible to overcome the adversities and emerge from it knowing that you know what life is all about...
Maybe one day YOU will be the one that recognises the signs of helplessness in someone else and be in the position to help them face the challenges ahead.
Although money is the 'problem'..it's the caring that helps to motivate those less fortunate.
****************************************************************************
Nothing is impossible...
Once you find yourself in the position of having to cope without the 'essentials' its important not to 'give up'.
There is a way around every challenge you may face...whether it be asking for 'help' from others or training yourself to be resourceful.
Keeping a sense of humour helps also!
Thankfully I was blessed with that!
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