25 People Reveal The Hardest Part Of Being Poor That Outsiders Don’t Realize

Poverty is a complex and challenging reality that many experience but not everyone fully grasps. Growing up poor shapes not just your daily life but also your mindset, habits, and approach to the world. When someone posed the question on Reddit, “Those who grew up poor, what is something those who weren’t poor don’t understand about being poor?” the responses were honest, heartfelt, and, at times, eye-opening. These experiences shared by Reddit users highlight the hidden struggles of poverty that often go unnoticed by those who haven’t experienced it. Here are some of the most compelling answers.

#1

Image source: reddit.com That Sugar toast is an acceptable dinner.

#2

How exhausting it is to constantly worry about making ends meet. Image source: ElegantSaera

#3

Image source: Friendly77Lady, cottonbro studio Being bullied for being poor.

#4

Image source: kaideleigh, cottonbro studio Food insecurity. I’m 60 and even now having no debt and being in a good spot, I still hoard food and keep any bit of leftovers. I remember going hungry and/or only having a small portion to eat..no seconds.

#5

Image source: Competitive_Bag3933, Steven Arenas You just get so tired. It feels like there's no resting because there's always the pervasive feeling that you should be doing/making/fixing something. Poverty means constant planning - for the next meal, for the next bill, for the next crisis.

#6

Image source: TelFaradiddle, Photo By: Kaboompics.com Being poor is very expensive. For example, if you're unable to afford to pay a speeding ticket, it will accrue late fees, making it even harder to pay off. If you need money right now to buy food and pay rent, Payday Loan shops can help you, but with exorbitant interest rates so you'll end up paying back way more than you borrowed. If you have a toothache but can't afford to see the dentist, it can grow into something worse and more costly to fix.

#7

Image source: anannanne, Ave Calvar Martinez How little activities like “bring valentines for everyone in class” or “let’s hold a bake sale” were stressful AF.

#8

Image source: Living_Donut9603, Jack Sparrow The anxiety you feel at the cash register. Knowing there’s nothing else you can put back, that you genuinely need every item and it’s the cheapest possible price, but somehow it’s still too expensive. That feeling never goes away.

#9

Image source: Stunning-Chipmunk243, Nicola Barts How difficult it is to crawl out of generational poverty.

#10

Image source: Sea_Pop_772, Ivan Oboleninov When you are starving and there's nothing to eat so the only option left is to try and sleep because you hope that when you wake up you won't feel so hungry.

#11

Image source: My_Clandestine_Grave, Mikhail Nilov The constant fear of running out of money that creates this weird obsession over and guilt about spending money, even when you've got decent finances. I grew up poor and my partner grew up upper-middle class. We have managed to carved out a pretty comfortable life but I still have panic attacks about money and being able to afford essentials (food, rent, etc.). They are flabbergasted every time it happens. Like supportive but completely confused as to why I get so upset. My response is always "money can run out". .

#12

Image source: EdithWhartonsFarts, Filip Mroz How much relationships matter. You're alot safer in a dangerous neighborhood if you know and have good allies/friends in the neighborhood. It's alot easier to share a bedroom with four or so other people if you like those people. You can't afford that new car part, but if you know that dude in the neighborhood who fixes cars, he might hook you up for a little cash. Etc etc. TLDR: having solid, good relationships with people you have history with can make a WORLD of difference.

#13

Image source: Zestyclose-Quarter87, cottonbro studio As a fellow poor kid, the stinky kid in class probably didn’t have deodorant/couldn’t afford the proper deodorant. It still could be true for the stinky poor adult in your life. Be mindful and considerate sometimes.

#14

Image source: RobertSunstone, Cameron Gibson Being excluded from just about everything.

#15

That oftentimes poor people make the decision to buy the thing that makes them happy when they can, instead of constantly saving only for what they need. Image source: whatisthisplace2000

#16

Even basic needs are luxury for you. Image source: knowittodoit

#17

Going to the grocery store and not being able to afford the food you very exactly budgeted for because they raised the price of an item. The most mortifying experience ever is getting to the register and discovering your total is mere cents above what you can afford so you have to pick an item to put back. Or, finding out your card won’t go through because you forgot you paid your car insurance and there’s not enough money in your account to cover your groceries. “Oh, wrong card, let’s try this one…” declined. “That’s not the one, let’s try this one…” declined. “Can we split the payment onto multiple cards? “Oh, there’s not enough on that card to cover it? I’m sorry. Never mind. I’ll find out what money I have where and come back.” As you walk of shame worse than any college one night stand has ever felt. Carrying your infant child on your hip leaving your groceries all behind because you can’t afford them. I wish no one ever had to feel this way. But I also kinda wish everyone had to at least once. Image source: IAmCaptainHammer

#18

You fix things yourself. Image source: Head_Confidence_8914

#19

Image source: FriendlyGirlxv, Michael koneckiy Being told: "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.".

#20

Image source: SlttyxaxCutie, Diane Picchiottino Getting to stay home instead of school field trips because mom could never afford the ticket.Used to get excited about it until I realized why.

#21

Image source: xoxo44Sweetheart, Bruno Aguirre Amount of time feeling powerless.

#22

Image source: singlenutwonder, Jefferson Sees Your parents not being able to support you into adulthood. Hell, mine stopped being able to when I was 15. I can always tell someone didn’t come from poverty when their suggestion to somebody facing financial troubles is “talk to your parents”.

#23

Image source: Sams_lost_shoe, cottonbro studio How stupid the phrase "it'll cost more to repair it than it's worth" is when it comes to car repairs. It doesn't matter if that s**tbox isn't worth $500; a $600 repair that you're going to have to beg, borrow, and steal to afford is still cheaper than coming up with a down payment, monthly payments, full coverage insurance, etc that you need for a decent used car. Also, just how many laws and proposed laws utterly f**k over the poor. Emission inspections being a big one.

#24

Image source: ResurgentClusterfuck, Diane Helentjaris Small problems become large ones when you don't have adequate savings Any extra expense can be catastrophic.

#25

Being poor means constantly worrying about basic needs and future stability. Image source: AllyAlden