What is the poorest you have ever been?

Comedyshortsgamer

never been really poor myself


just wondering.

melanzana

Well never been so poor that I couldn't feed myself.

But when I bought my first house at age 24 (lady/woman) all by my little self, three months in and the mortgage rates went up to 18%. That was really scary.

My parents were great though (glad to be rid of me maybe!! LOL), and supplied fuel (coal in a back boiler fire at the time), and some provisions.

That lasted for a while and it was not pretty. But it taught me the best lesson of my life.

ALWAYS have a rainy day fund.

That was XXXX years ago now though! Still, I do not know how those who did not have the little supports I had at the time managed.

Parents are wonderful. Although I have only Mum left now.

I am sure there are others who have worse tales to tell.

Bobarella

I think the poorest I've ever been was when I 'left' home at 16. I lived on housing benefits and what they called then estrangement benefits. I was doing my A levels and had to get a bus to college every day. Sometimes I had no money at all in my pocket for days. I got my lunch voucher at college which wasn't enough and I was normally hungry.

The worst time I ever remember I had managed to buy a whole chicken to cook at home, reduced. I had a key for my electricity back then. I managed to cook the chicken for an hour when I realised I wouldn't be able to afford a hot bath as well if I let it continue cooking. So I had the bath and ended up throwing away the chicken as I was so scared of food poisioning.

I think I made up my mind at that point a la Scarlett O'Hara that 'I'd never be hungry again.'

I carried on, passed my A levels and put myself through Uni as well coming out with a good 2.1 degree. It wasn't the best start but I have never looked back.

phoenixx

Comedyshortsgamer wrote: »

never been really poor myself


just wondering.

Running out of 50ps for the electricity meter on NY Eve as a student was one low point. In the house I had no food or wine but found an old onion in the cupboard which I attempted to cook over an open fire - badly! As I write it sounds like I am making it up but I am not...:eek:
I felt so grim and lonely at about 10pm that I walked up the road to the tiny local pub where I hoped someone might offer me a drink in the spirit of Auld Lang Syne. Amazingly one of my dad's old work mates was there and she bought me a cider. :beer:I found 50p on the floor of the loos so back to the house to fire up the electric and watch '7 Brides for 7 Brothers' at 1am.

melanzana

phoenixx wrote: »

Running out of 50ps for the electricity meter on NY Eve as a student was one low point. In the house I had no food or wine but found an old onion in the cupboard which I attempted to cook over an open fire - badly! As I write it sounds like I am making it up but I am not...:eek:
I felt so grim and lonely at about 10pm that I walked up the road to the tiny local pub where I hoped someone might offer me a drink in the spirit of Auld Lang Syne. Amazingly one of my dad's old work mates was there and she bought me a cider. :beer:I found 50p on the floor of the loos so back to the house to fire up the electric and watch '7 Brides for 7 Brothers' at 1am.

There is a book in there somewhere, and you may be rich after writing it.

I wanted to see how the following days went, and the previous days too. Good sign for a book really.

You have a way with words.

phoenixx

Bobarella wrote: »

I think the poorest I've ever been was when I 'left' home at 16. I lived on housing benefits and what they called then estrangement benefits. I was doing my A levels and had to get a bus to college every day. Sometimes I had no money at all in my pocket for days. I got my lunch voucher at college which wasn't enough and I was normally hungry.

The worst time I ever remember I had managed to buy a whole chicken to cook at home, reduced. I had a key for my electricity back then. I managed to cook the chicken for an hour when I realised I wouldn't be able to afford a hot bath as well if I let it continue cooking. So I had the bath and ended up throwing away the chicken as I was so scared of food poisioning.

I think I made up my mind at that point a la Scarlett O'Hara that 'I'd never be hungry again.'

I carried on, passed my A levels and put myself through Uni as well coming out with a good 2.1 degree. It wasn't the best start but I have never looked back.

I totally sympathise having also been on the 'estrangement benefits'. I too had to get a bus every day and used the pass of a girl who'd left to travel each day. She looked nothing like me so the photo card worried me but the bus driver never said anything so it was ok. I went to uni and worked 3 jobs while studying to get by. Well done for your successful degree and positive approach to your situation.

melanzana

Inspiring stories.

phoenixx

melanzana wrote: »

There is a book in there somewhere, and you may be rich after writing it.

I wanted to see how the following days went, and the previous days too. Good sign for a book really.

You have a way with words.

Thanks melanzana - that is high praise. :j

Bobarella

phoenixx wrote: »

I totally sympathise having also been on the 'estrangement benefits'. I too had to get a bus every day and used the pass of a girl who'd left to travel each day. She looked nothing like me so the photo card worried me but the bus driver never said anything so it was ok. I went to uni and worked 3 jobs while studying to get by. Well done for your successful degree and positive approach to your situation.

Thanks a lot. Sometimes it feels like it never happened and I don't make a habit of telling people. I'm not ashamed of my past but equally it doesn't define me.

tealady

The lowest point for me was having to take time off work as I had neither money for petrol or bus fares (work was 10 miles away)

basil92

Now, unfortunately.

Circumstances (sad and numerous ones) have completely decimated my savings and my wage just about keeps my head above water.:o

I'm no spring chicken and can't see anything changing anytime soon.

After having nothing, working hard and saving, it's amazing how life events and being involved with other people, can turn your life around so quickly.:(