People Who Grew Up Poor Share What They Considered to Be Luxuries
It’s estimated that about 1 in 6 American children live in poverty. This could be for a variety of factors, but the reality of living without enough money to get through the day is something that many people face.
This situation may lead to food insecurity, or the difficulty to put enough food for every family member on the table each day.
One Reddit user asked others online “For those who grew up poor, what did you consider a luxury?” And answers flooded in from people who had experienced some form of economic stress in their childhoods.
It’s surprising to see what some people consider to be unnecessary luxuries, especially if you’re able to afford those things. So if you have everything mentioned below, you can be very grateful!
Candy
“Being able to get candy at a store.
New school supplies.
Brand name food.”
Story credit: Reddit / ExperienceHendrix
Contact Lenses
“I remember in 8th grade on my birthday at school one of my teachers asked me what gifts I had received. He asked in front of the whole class, I excitedly shared that I would be getting contact lenses.
My parents let me choose one thing that I wanted and I desperately wanted to stop wearing the broken glasses I had, which I usually didn’t wear.
One of the boys in class made a comment like “contacts aren’t a present..?” And my teacher had to explain to him- again in front of everyone- that for some families they were too expensive not to be a luxury.
After that experience I worked two and three jobs in high school so I could buy myself and my brothers the things we needed.
The first thing I bought with my money from my first job as a hostess at a diner was a queen size bed because my twin mattress was about 20 years old and at 15 I was having back problems and issues with rusted springs poking me.”
Story credit: Reddit
Soda Bottles
“My Mom had 7 children in 10 years, 1950-1960. I remember having a whole bottle (those smallish glass ones that came out of the machine for 10cents) of soft drink to my self instead of sharing 1 bottle between all 7 of us. I was perhaps 5 years old.
I still remember this as the best thing ever.”
Story credit: Reddit / someonesgoat
A Full Fridge
“Having a fridge full of food.”
Story credit: Reddit / lxshr