Thanks so much for the post. I grew up in a household of money and social status and ended up deeply depressed in my mid twenties when life’s got tough (real?). I moved back to my hometown upon a spiritual Taiwanese couple’s recommendation and went back to school. I was spiritually healthy which was key, learned I was actually smart (I never had to be before, I got whatever I wanted without being smart, right?) and went on the law school. It was during law school when I learned how crippling my lack of confidence and low self-esteem was… I had lost my faith because I could not understand my difficulties with mental health. Today, I am 100% sure it is because I never faced reality (real tough life) until 26 years old when life demanded it from me (and my parents marriage difficulties were exposed and my “perfect” life exploded). I. Don’t. Want. Money. I tithe my money to the church and have found a lot of freedom in that. But, it also exposes what you said about your friend Soap: I was never taught how to survive with less. I have been under tremendous mental pressure just learning how to survive with less but, thank God, through counseling and help from the Taiwanese couple, I’m surviving. Also, turns out I’m mean. Like, I’m really mean—like a jerk. There were signs of it growing up, some bullying I displayed but now that I’m *34* I’m learning I’m really mean. And I really think that comes from multiple things such as not having the closeness of parents emotionally (maybe?) and never HAVING to be nice—people liked me because of my status, right? Like you said, they wanted something from me most likely. Anyways, I’m mental hospital visits deep, haven’t passed the bar exam and trying to just not get fired for being a jerk and having to actually PRODUCE work that requires my mind and confidence.

**there ARE perks to being poor**

I hope my post here isn’t too depressing. Thanks a lot for your sharing.

I’m gonna add that to the list as I’m rewriting the site. And give you a *high 5.*

Oh MY GOD Enzo, I didn’t even think of that!!! Not too much of a perk, it made me a little sad. When I was in college, my parents visited me on campus and a few guys on separate occasions turned and asked me in disbelief if they were really my parents. They had a HARD life. No dental care, no skin creams, no transit system or fancy gel sole shoes. It was a hard labor life in China. I got pretty lucky but it did upset me realizing my parents didn’t have access to those things.

Really, that’s your mom/dad/brother/sister?

Also, who on earth thinks steak and shrimp are budget foods?!? My husband and I are working on paying off debt and eat chicken, rice, beans, and pasta almost exclusively.

Hehe you are too kind dear. Thank you very much!