Why is Being Broke so Expensive?

I know, sounds like a contradiction, but hear me out.

I remember a few years ago there was a post circulating around social media. In it, someone describes the expenses associated with being poor, but through the metaphor of buying boots. When you’re rich, you buy the nice boots, the hundreds of dollars worth ones that last years. But, when you’re poor, you buy cheap boots. The ones that fall apart in a matter of weeks. Over the years, the poor person will have bought 100s of these boots, while the rich person just keeps one pair. Because of this, the poor person ends up paying MORE in the long run.

The first time I read this, it made sense, and I figured that was probably the extent of it. But, in the summer of last year, with no job and no money coming in I realized the true extent of the expenses associated with being poor.

For Transparency: I am very lucky to have parents that have a comfortable living. If I had asked for extra help, they would have done so no questions asked. But, I have made it a priority in my life to try to get through things or get the things I want without having to go to them.

With that out the way, let me tell you what I learned. I learned it is virtually impossible to make money if you don’t have money. I started doing door dash to make ends meet at first. But, guess what you need to do door dash? Gas. Guess what costs money? Gas. So, after driving for 3 or 4 hours, making a measly 40 dollars, probably 20 of that went back into my tank. Woohoo! I have now earned enough money to pay 1/3rd of the Wifi Bill.

Have you ever been late on one bill at a time? There’s usually about a 15 dollar “late fee.” Maybe you just forgot, maybe you’re check was late, but no big deal right? 15 dollars you barely notice it. Have you ever been late on every bill? Those 15 dollars pile up. Now, your 600 dollar check is gone and a pretty penny of that went just to the late fees.

Now that you’ve paid all of those, you have no money in your account. Then, before you know it, surprise you forgot to cancel that 4 dollar subscription for an app, a journal, or something else you never use. Your bank overdrafts. Now, your negative 35 dollars. Repeat, rinse, recycle, the whole thing starts over the next week.

I would hate to know how much money was spent on late fees last summer. Maybe those late fees could have helped me save up money for the next two weeks. Maybe without them, I could have paid the next bill on time.

How much more money did those companies make off of me than someone that could afford to pay their bills on time? It’s not the rich that’s making companies in a capitalist society thrive, it’s poor. It’s the poor rebuying those inexpensive shoes 100 times a year. It’s the poor working all day every day for no money while the owner is on their yacht. It’s the poor paying the 100 dollars “reactivation” fee when their lights get turned out.

What does it say about a country if we punish the poor? I always hear people saying that people in poor financial situations are just “looking for handouts.” I wasn’t looking for handouts and rarely have I met anyone that was. I was looking for a break. A break from the fees, a break from the cycle, a break from the punishment that under no fault of my own, I was trying to get a job during a pandemic. People just need a chance to survive. Not handouts, just no punishment.

I spend less money now that I have some than I did when I didn’t. That should say something about the world we’re living in. Just, think about it and if you’re going through it, know I see you. This system is not fair, it’s not working, and it’s not broken. Keeping poor people poor was exactly what the system was designed to do.

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