Discussion about this post

User's avatar
Patricia's avatar

I highly appreciate the link in the 7 Other Things section to the Real Simple article about financial management when you’re truly lacking in money. Long ago as a 30 year old I filed for bankruptcy and divorce in the same week and started over as the single mom of a 4 year old. At that moment i had no job, no car, no home, no credit and no cash. I did have student loan and IRS debts that weren’t discharged in bankruptcy. Fortunately I also had a wealthy friend who loaned me $2000. I had friends who put me up for a few weeks until I found a landlady who’s son had gone to high school with me and was willing to take a chance on unemployed bankrupt me (perhaps because my daughter was so cute!). I started doing temp jobs immediately, and got a management job after a few months. I rode a bike with a Burley cart on the back to transport my daughter for two years, borrowing my moms car to do grocery shopping weekly. I remember how elated I was when my careful penny pinching finally allowed me to add $15/month for thrift store clothing to my budget! “New” clothes for me and my kid…. What an excitement that was! Being frugal and having to choose between toilet paper and eggs is something many of my friends and acquaintances know nothing about. I hated it at the time but now I am deeply grateful for what it taught me and how it humbled me.

Expand full comment
Maureen Grigs's avatar

Despite all the political ravings, daily annoyances and slipping bank accounts, we’ve “got it good” here in America. Amazing to think that people not far from our shores, can have so many obstacles to even the smallest success. Kudos to those whose inner strength surmounts these cruel attacks on the survival of their spirits.Thank you for making us think.

Expand full comment
11 more comments...

No posts