Why Being Poor is More Expensive Than Being Rich
According to the Census Bureau, more than 37 million people in the country live below the poverty line.
1. Bank Fees
Some businesses don’t even accept paper money anymore. Renting an apartment? Don’t bring that shoebox full of dollar bills. Many places are now strictly debit or credit. And they don’t care whether it’s from a bank account that has actual funds, or one which is overdrawn and charging ridiculous fees every day that it has a negative balance. If you’re poor, you better be really good at budgeting — or begging that the bank kindly cancel your overdraft fees, which can be upwards of $35 per day. For some, that’s food for a week.
2. Credit Cards
Having no credit gets you basically the same treatment as having bad credit. If you have never had a credit card or bank account, you’re just as screwed as the guy who has creditors coming after him. If you have no credit or bad credit, the only credit card or loan option is most likely one with ridiculously high interest rates. An unusually low minimum payment may look good at first: spending the cash you need but don’t have, while only paying small fractions back at a time. Although it seems like a great tradeoff, it’s really a quite efficient trap. The interest rates increase the card holder’s debt as they pay small increments; the rest of the money owed is continually compounded. The hole only grows larger.
3. Food
Many poor people live in areas where public transportation isn’t readily available, and can’t afford to own a car. It’s a huge inconvenience, and a costly one at that. The cheapest grocery store is usually not the closest one; many poor people are forced to settle for higher-priced general/corner stores rather than travel to the nearest large supermarket (i.e. Trader Joe’s, Costco), where the middle class shops a few miles away.
Besides the distance of cheaper food, the way in which we produce and price food has also become a problem. Processed food has become cheaper and quicker to pump out, and organic or fresh foods have become more expensive. Cans of terrible-for-you ravioli may be less than a buck each, while home-cooked meals consisting of vegetables, soup stock, and organic chicken can rack up a bill of over $30 to feed a family of four for just one night. Even when it comes to fruits and vegetables, the healthier organic choice is typically more expensive than non-organic. It’s no wonder that the poor opt to purchase Happy Meals for their children instead of spending close to double that on a healthier but more time-consuming, more inconvenient, and costlier meal.
From the Washington Post:
The corner store:
White bread – $2.99
Wheat bread – $3.79
Gallon milk – $4.99Safeway:
White bread – $1
Wheat bread – $1.19
Gallon milk – $3.49, or 2 for $2.99 each
4. Ordeals
The poor spend more time waiting for the bus. Dealing with lenders and banks and credit collectors and banks and payday loans. Vying for government assistance. Spending time with a car that often breaks down, its owner unable to provide proper repairs because of the price. The poor travel to the laundromat in rural areas, spending hours at a time washing clothing for their families in washers and dryers which they cannot afford to own. They are taxed for money orders, given check-cashing fees at instant cashing businesses, and incur other penalties for bills paid late. Some travel out of their way to make extra cash, selling their blood or collecting cans for the meager change it will earn them. The poor pay rent that they can’t afford, but lack the credit to get a mortgage or afford down payments for a house they might someday own. Money is funneled out so they can afford shelter, crappy food, clean laundry, and the fees for every loan or money order they take out, but the money coming in never increases.
5. The Working Poor, Denied Help
Those making just enough money for the government to consider them ‘above the poverty line’ sometimes have it worse off than those with little to no income. Welfare, child care facilities, and other types of government assistance are often denied to those who are barely able to support themselves. If a person doesn’t meet the cookie-cutter standards for these types of assistance (in terms of their income), they are left to their own devices and forced to shell out cash which could be put to greater use. $300-$500 in denied money which would be better spent on credit building, car payments, toys for the kids, or even the occasional fun outing to a bowling alley for the children is sucked into expensive groceries and childcare. Additionally, welfare is often extorted by those who refuse to work, preferring to stay at home and receive their government cheese. This is an especially upsetting conundrum: work hard and be denied assistance, or laze around and receive free money and food. This is not to say that every person on welfare is abusing offered help, but this problem is no secret.
6. Safety
Poor neighborhoods are often the most dangerous ones. With little or no help from the government, poor transportation options, limited job opportunities which are far or low-pay, and crappier education, many people turn to crime to support themselves. Feeling abandoned by their government and community, the poorest neighborhoods are often filled with petty criminals looking to profit in whatever illegal ways they can. Stealing pipes and wires to hock for copper scrap, taking air conditioners, robbing houses, sticking people up, dealing drugs, and prostitution are common in extremely impoverished areas. Not to mention the fact that teen pregnancy rates tend to be higher and access to free contraceptives/sex education are less common. In turn, children learn to imitate what they see in a world of remarkable crime and violence.
7. Stress
The stress of being poor is enormous. Meeting payments, long travel times, long work hours, not enough income, denial of government assistance, and other problems common among the poor are giant stressful monsters which loom over their heads on a day-to-day basis. Medical studies have found numerous detrimental effects of constant stress, such as reduced short-term memory in children, and heart and blood pressure problems in adults.
gag…
[…]here are some links to web pages that we link to mainly because we believe they may be worth visiting[…]…
Jewellery…
Thanks for your marvelous posting! I actually enjoyed reading it, you can be a great author.I will always bookmark your blog and will eventually come back later in life. I want to encourage you to definitely continue your great work, have a nice day!…
sex movies…
[…]Here is a great Weblog You may Uncover Exciting that we Encourage You[…]…
Samsung Galaxy S3…
[…]check beneath, are some completely unrelated web-sites to ours, nevertheless, they’re most trustworthy sources that we use[…]…
hoyt bows…
[…]one of our visitors just lately encouraged the following website[…]…
cataract eye…
Hey there! Someone in my Myspace group shared this website with us so I came to give it a look. I’m definitely enjoying the information. I’m book-marking and will be tweeting this to my followers! Superb blog and great design….
express review…
As I web site possessor I believe the content material here is rattling great , appreciate it for your hard work. You should keep it up forever! Good Luck….
basement waterproofing atlanta…
This actually answered my problem, thanks!…
gourmetblog…
[…]we came across a cool site which you may take pleasure in. Take a search when you want[…]…
gluten free recipes…
[…]Sites of interest we’ve a link to[…]…
jump higher faster…
[…]one of our visitors just lately advised the following website[…]…
Capsiplex info…
[…]very couple of sites that take place to become detailed below, from our point of view are undoubtedly effectively worth checking out[…]…
Push Present…
Simply wish to say your article is as amazing. The clarity in your post is just cool and i could assume you are an expert on this subject. Well with your permission let me to grab your RSS feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million…
jasa seo…
Thanks for revealing your ideas on this blog. Likewise, a fairy tale regarding the financial institutions intentions whenever talking about foreclosed is that the lender will not have my repayments. There is a fair bit of time in which the bank will ta…
ac repair lodi ca…
Why Being Poor is More Expensive Than Being Rich – Prose Before Hos…
NURSING SCRUBS…
My developer is trying to persuade me to move to .net from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because of the expenses. But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using WordPress on a variety of websites for about a year and am concerned about switch…
green coffee extract review…
[…]although internet websites we backlink to below are considerably not connected to ours, we really feel they may be truly worth a go by way of, so have a look[…]…
Inventory liquidation…
[…]Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine several unrelated data, nevertheless definitely worth taking a look, whoa did 1 learn about Mid East has got far more problerms too […]…
cell phone cases…
Thank you, I’ve just been looking for info about this subject for ages and yours is the greatest I have discovered so far. But, what about the bottom line? Are you sure about the source?…
file share…
I feel that is one of the so much important info for me. And i’m satisfied studying your article. However should commentary on few general issues, The website taste is great, the articles is really excellent : D. Excellent job, cheers…
buy real youtube views…
[…]very handful of internet websites that transpire to be in depth below, from our point of view are undoubtedly nicely worth checking out[…]…
buy targeted facebook fans…
You are a very bright person!…
Vimax Pills…
It?s really a cool and useful piece of info. I am glad that you shared this useful info with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing….
chiropractor…
[…]the time to read or stop by the content material or web sites we’ve linked to beneath the[…]…
roofing companies in atlanta…
[…]check beneath, are some totally unrelated internet sites to ours, nevertheless, they are most trustworthy sources that we use[…]…
parole booba…
[…]Sites of interest we’ve a link to[…]…
blood pressure…
Thanks for your write-up. What I want to point out is that while looking for a good on the internet electronics store, look for a site with total information on critical factors such as the security statement, safety details, payment methods, and vario…
sumo lounge…
[…]The information and facts mentioned in the post are some of the most effective obtainable […]…
Speediest process to burn stomach fat rapid…
Each the moment inside a after we choose for blogs that we look at. Outlined beneath will be the most present websites that we decide for…
salsa…
[…]usually posts some pretty exciting stuff like this. If you?re new to this site[…]…
college frat stories…
[…]one of our visitors not too long ago suggested the following website[…]…
Antique Vintage Jewelry…
[…]the time to study or check out the content or sites we’ve linked to below the[…]…
click here to get a free iphone…
very nice publish, i definitely love this website, carry on it…
robe de soir¨¦e pas cher…
What?s Happening i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve found It positively helpful and it has helped me out loads. I hope to contribute & help other users like its helped me. Good job….
kendine guvenme…
[…]that could be the end of this post. Here you will find some web pages that we consider you?ll enjoy, just click the links over[…]…
evening dresses…
[…]Here are several of the web sites we recommend for our visitors[…]…
kadinla nasil opusulur…
[…]please pay a visit to the web-sites we follow, like this one, as it represents our picks in the web[…]…
Create Your Own Music…
[…]although sites we backlink to below are considerably not associated to ours, we feel they may be truly really worth a go by, so have a look[…]…
click…
[…]we like to honor several other internet internet sites on the internet, even when they aren?t linked to us, by linking to them. Under are some webpages really worth checking out[…]…
automatic backlink creator…
[…]below you?ll discover the link to some sites that we assume it is best to visit[…]…
crazylittlesexblog.blogspot.com…
Why Being Poor is More Expensive Than Being Rich – Prose Before Hos…
Blog…
[…]although web-sites we backlink to below are considerably not associated to ours, we feel they’re truly really worth a go as a result of, so possess a look[…]…
https://twitter.com/vertigroupseo…
I found your weblog web site on google and check a few of your early posts. Proceed to keep up the very good operate. I simply additional up your RSS feed to my MSN Information Reader. Seeking ahead to studying extra from you later on!?…
excess inventory buyers…
This is really interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I have joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your wonderful post. Also, I’ve shared your website in my social networks!…
Apartments in Vinings GA…
[…]below you?ll discover the link to some websites that we believe you’ll want to visit[…]…
2013 business ideas for women…
[…]one of our guests not long ago advised the following website[…]…
click here…
[…]here are some links to web sites that we link to since we believe they’re worth visiting[…]…
wanderhotel grossarl…
[…]usually posts some extremely intriguing stuff like this. If you?re new to this site[…]…
Mp3…
There are some fascinating closing dates in this article but I don?t know if I see all of them middle to heart. There’s some validity however I’ll take maintain opinion until I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we would like more! Added…
Electrician Seattle WA USA…
[…]always a large fan of linking to bloggers that I adore but don?t get a whole lot of link love from[…]…
Pénzügyi számviteli ügyintéző…
[…]below you?ll find the link to some sites that we think you’ll want to visit[…]…
calcinhas…
I?ll right away seize your rss as I can’t in finding your email subscription hyperlink or newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Please permit me recognise so that I may just subscribe. Thanks….
Glendale personal injury attorney…
Generally I don’t read post on blogs, but I wish to say that this write-up very pressured me to check out and do it! Your writing taste has been surprised me. Thanks, quite great article….
instagram followers buy…
I precisely had to thank you very much once more. I do not know what I would’ve done without the entire points discussed by you directly on such problem. It had become an absolute hard case in my circumstances, but finding out the very expert techniqu…
magneticone…
[…]always a huge fan of linking to bloggers that I adore but do not get lots of link appreciate from[…]…
garcinia cambogia dosage…
[…]please pay a visit to the web-sites we comply with, including this one, as it represents our picks in the web[…]…
add facebook likes…
[…]check below, are some totally unrelated websites to ours, nevertheless, they may be most trustworthy sources that we use[…]…
facebook fans software…
[…]we came across a cool internet site which you may enjoy. Take a look in the event you want[…]…
Leville iSuites Floor Plans…
[…]below you?ll locate the link to some internet sites that we believe it is best to visit[…]…
Fundacion Manantiales…
[…]here are some links to internet sites that we link to simply because we feel they may be really worth visiting[…]…
Bangalore Hotels…
I want to express my thanks to this writer just for rescuing me from such a circumstance. Because of checking through the online world and seeing views that were not productive, I assumed my entire life was over. Existing without the presence of answer…
Funny outtakes of Dancing Matt underwater…
My brother recommended I might like this blog. He was totally right. This post actually made my day. You cann’t imagine just how much time I had spent for this info! Thanks!…
Dubai Aquarium The Palm, Dubai…
Wow that was odd. I just wrote an really long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyway, just wanted to say excellent blog!…
Digital Medical Transcription…
I needed to send you that bit of note to finally thank you very much as before considering the remarkable suggestions you’ve discussed on this website. This has been so surprisingly open-handed with you to provide publicly precisely what a number of p…
Monetary policy…
[…]please check out the web pages we follow, like this 1, because it represents our picks through the web[…]…
game…
[…]the time to read or go to the content material or web pages we have linked to beneath the[…]…
how long to boil eggs…
When I originally commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four e-mails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove people from that service? Thanks!…
iPad lessons…
[…]check below, are some entirely unrelated websites to ours, nevertheless, they are most trustworthy sources that we use[…]…
contractorsdirect…
[…]below you will discover the link to some websites that we assume you’ll want to visit[…]…
facebook small business…
[…]below you?ll come across the link to some web-sites that we think you’ll want to visit[…]…
gosedjur…
Thanks for the several tips discussed on this blog. I have seen that many insurance agencies offer shoppers generous reductions if they decide to insure more and more cars together. A significant variety of households currently have several automobiles…
nyheter…
[…]Sites of interest we have a link to[…]…
Sarms S4 results…
[…]we like to honor several other world-wide-web web pages on the internet, even if they aren?t linked to us, by linking to them. Below are some webpages worth checking out[…]…
my review of exposed skin care…
[…]Here is a superb Blog You may Find Interesting that we Encourage You[…]…
basement finishing…
I’m not sure why but this web site is loading very slow for me. Is anyone else having this problem or is it a issue on my end? I’ll check back later and see if the problem still exists….
CJC-1295…
[…]Here are a number of the sites we suggest for our visitors[…]…
ninjatrader scalping…
[…]here are some hyperlinks to websites that we link to simply because we think they may be worth visiting[…]…
acompanhantes rj…
[…]although websites we backlink to beneath are considerably not related to ours, we really feel they’re actually really worth a go through, so have a look[…]…
Research Chemicals for sale…
Aw, this was a really nice post. In concept I want to put in writing like this additionally ? taking time and precise effort to make a very good article? however what can I say? I procrastinate alot and in no way seem to get one thing done….
Cavition…
[…]Here is a great Blog You may Discover Fascinating that we Encourage You[…]…