The Truth About Poverty And Its Effects.
A poverty mindset begins at a very young age. We eat, sleep, and breathe its effects.
Poverty breeds contempt, greed, desperation, and instability. If you have ever been poor, you will never forget the grip it has had on your life.
Even if you are no longer poor you will still wake up in a cold sweat from dreams you have had about your childhood. The chipped paint, the times you probably have seen your parent cry because they are wondering where the food and the school clothes will come from. Scenes of children going to bed hungry and their cries are something you will never forget.
Being poor is shameful, especially to children because they are usually teased and picked on in school. They wear the badge of scorn that shouldn't be theirs.
Sometimes you will see young mothers wearing designer duds while their babies are in a soiled shirt and diaper, most of the day.
Some fathers will avoid coming home because they don't want to face the reality because they are unemployed and a non-contributor to the family. Most of the time they will disappear or drown their despair with alcohol.
Some people will borrow money from a neighbor or friend to buy food and then the next month they will have to pay this person back and revisit poverty once more. This is a never-ending cycle that will hold you in the prison and grip of poverty.
The problem with poverty is, we escape through spending money that we really don't have. We run away through alcohol, gambling and sometimes drugs and do not hold the other parent accountable for the responsibility in our children's lives.
How To Escape Poverty?
Educate yourself. If you cannot go to college, go to your local Library and read self-help books and money management books. Get a job and find other legal ways to supplement your income. You can take low-cost courses through your local high school. If you do not have your high school diploma, study and get your GED.
If you or your children need clothing, go to a clothing bank, participate in clothing swap meets so you can get bigger size clothing for your kids if they are outgrowing their clothes. You can also volunteer at a local thrift store to get skills and free clothing. Also, try Freecycle.org to get free clothing.
If you need furniture, there are thrift stores and also organizations that donate furniture. Contact social service organizations again Freecycle or ask family and friends for furniture they no longer want or using. You can also get furniture from the curb but be careful you do not want to bring bedbugs home.
For food, only buy generic brands and learn how to cook with inexpensive ingredients. Watch YouTube videos for good, cheap, recipes. If you are really desperate contact social services for help with food and if you are really in dire straights consider dumpster diving and if you live near a lake or stream learn how to fish and read books on how to cook and clean it correctly.
Live beneath your means, pray, and don't borrow what you cannot pay back.
