Are You Rich or Poor?

1. 61

   marinealways24posted 15 years ago

   Hello, open to all. If you are poor, why are you poor and how did you get poor? If you are rich, why and how did you get rich?

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      Jason Zimmermanposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      I'm not rich, but as long as I can provide for my girlfriend, and not lose sleep I'm ok. I love to write, and I wouldn't do it so much if I didn't enjoy it, but I also do it for extra money.

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      gmwilliamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Neither rich nor poor, but in THE MIDDLE.  Grateful for what I have attained & have.  There ARE ALWAYS opportunities for those to improve their socioeconomic status no matter where they ARE.   The socioeconomic wheels are always dynamic.  Rich CAN become poor & poor CAN become rich- it is all about MINDSET, SMARTS, &........ATTITUDE.
      
      Exemplary example of poor...........to RICH, no MEGA-RICH.  Never give up hope.  DON'T LET your present socioeconomic status DETERMINE you.   YOU determine where YOU are GOING socioeconomically!

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2. 0

   \Brenda Scullyposted 15 years ago

   I am extremely poor, took me a while to get as poor as this, it's a bit of a long story also, so it would be boring for everyone.........

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3. 59

   gspot911posted 15 years ago

   Im poor now, but im starting my own business so i wont be poor for long! ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

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      marinealways24posted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Good Stuff, Best Wishes. What kind of business if you don't mind sharing?

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         gspot911posted 15 years agoin reply to this

         i dont mind. im going to give kids basketball lessons and eventually football lessons as well. I have other things i want to do as well.

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4. 76

   Uninvited Writerposted 15 years ago

   I wouldn't say I am poor, but I am certainly not rich. I can pay my bills and have a little left over, so I'm okay. However, I would definitely like to earn a little more so I can actually save money.

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      rastrotherposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      me to sister i am in the same boat you are. i do make enough money to pay my bills but then only have a little bit of money left over, not enough to start saving

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5. 57

   Christenstockposted 15 years ago

   Rich or Poor? Hmmm...My family and friends make me the richest man in the world!

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      Army Infantry Momposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Amen to that,...That's exactly wht I was gonna say,..LOL

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6. 59

   Laughing Momposted 15 years ago

   Monetary wise?  Probably somewhere in between.  We don't have alot of extra money--we put alot into savings and college funds.  But we have enough to live a decent lifestyle.  There are many days I could use a bigger house and a bigger car, but that's when I remind myself that at least I have a roof over my head and a truck that runs well.
   Giving up a full time income took a toll on how we live, but it's worth it for me to be home with my kids.  Because with them, I'm a pretty rich girl!

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      dennisemattposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      aww, you beat me to it. I have no money. I mean, honest to God, I have 6 dollars in the bank. But my kids are healthy, I have both my hands, and man who loves me. The bills are paid, and I have a roof over my head. Rich and poor, such realtive things....

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7. 61

   marinealways24posted 15 years ago

   Question for everyone: In a materialistic sense, will one ever get rich simply by saving?

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      Laughing Momposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Well, you'd get more rich than poor, I'd think.  At some point, my family would like to be able to really enjoy everything we've worked so hard for.  Saving up enough to be able to take off and do that gives my husband added incentive to get up and go to work every morning.  He has something to look forward to instead of feeling like he's just working to pay a bill and survive another day.  JMO.

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      1. 61

         marinealways24posted 15 years agoin reply to this

         Excellent perspective. Thanks

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   2. 98

      viryaboposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Capital NO!!!

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         pgrundyposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         I know we are supposed to be saving more, but I don't know that it makes a lot of sense right now. I would put money in stuff. Money is going to worthless soon, or nearly worthless. A pile of it won't help you. You can't eat it. It doesn't burn very well or generate much heat in winter.

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8. 61

   marinealways24posted 15 years ago

   All answers are good whether in a family sense or a materialistic sense.

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9. 49

   badcompany99posted 15 years ago

   1. Loads of money - No friends
   
   2. Poor - Loads of Love and friends.
   
   Define what you class as rich, me, I will take number 2.

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      gmwilliamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I'll take #1 anytime.  #2 is pointless, love DOESN'T put food on the table, pays one's rent, & insure a financially stable future.   Money is ALL.

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10. 0

    Leta Sposted 15 years ago

    We are sort of medium, I guess.  I believe 'middle class' is an ideological American construct...and actually a good one.
    
    And yes, one can get rich by saving, if you have the diligence and self control:
    
    http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/20 … -11hr-job/

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       marinealways24posted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Excellent Story, Thanks for posting that.

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       LondonGirlposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       A British one, I'd have thought - Napolean's "nation of shopkeepers"

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          Leta Sposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          Well, we take much from you guys, as you know.

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       girly_girl09posted 15 years agoin reply to this

       I love that story...I remember reading it last year in an economics course. It is very possible to save a million dollars. Easier if you are younger, but still possible even in your 40's.
       
       Do a search for "how to save a million dollars". There are lots of plausible plans for every age.
       
       I am only 22 and have been living off my savings the last 7 months. I had a lot saved up, but I needed to 'live'. It was something I needed to do, I needed a break from working and I wanted to finally get to travel for leisure. I'm taking out loans to go back to school full-time this fall. Some may think that's dumb after I had enough saved for a few years of college, but I don't mind what happened. It was a good learning lesson. After I pay off my loans, I'll be in good shape to start saving for retirement. I think it ultimately depends on if you want to live in the now or save for later. Right now, I've been living life to the fullest, but realize that I need to start saving!

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       1. 0

          Leta Sposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          I personally could not live as frugally as the millionaire making $11 per hour...my little sister, now.  Yes.  And she does...and she has quite a bit saved up.
          
          But I would have gone crazy without the education I have (which cost me plenty...and is the main reason I don't have a Phd or terminal art degree), or without any travel, or just certain things I find interesting--mainly cultural--that make me feel like I'm living.
          
          My approach, since I do have some debt built up, is investments.  I feel like it is the only way to actually make some real $$.  Even if you have a good job, 401ks are not all that--I feel like the way things are set up, you have to take responsibility for your own money.  I feel one can never get wealthy doing what other people tell you to do and running the general pattern of college, job, marriage, big mortgage, retirement.

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11. 40

    getpaidtopostposted 15 years ago

    The only thing that would make me feel rich is being able to spend as much time with my family as possible. Now I only see my wife and daughter 2 days a week due to different work shifts. It sucks.

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       Laughing Momposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       I think it's the casualties of a tough economy that are worse than the actual economy.  I hope you get back on a schedule that works better for you soon.  I'm sure they really miss you, too!

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          getpaidtopostposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          Hey Laughing Mom, Thanks. You are definitely correct. Since I Lost my fulltime daytime job due to the company going bankrupt, I had to take the first job I found. Which is working 4.30pm - 2.30am, my family arrive home at 6pm, Ive gone to work by this time and when I arrive home they are in bed. When I get up they have gone. Feel so dam lonely. No decent job vacancies makes it even harder. Thank God for hubpages, think I would have topped myself by now, NOT  All this is down to the recession.
          
          

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12. 81

    LondonGirlposted 15 years ago

    In any world-wide context, I'm rich. I've always had enough to eat, proper health care, a nice place to live, a good education, and no wars on the doorstep.
    
    I achevied this by being born in London as a British citizen in the late 1970s.

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13. 76

    Bard of Elyposted 15 years ago

    I am poor but not as poor as I was because for a change I had a decent job for four months this year and saved some of the money that came in.
    
    I am usually poor though because I have failed to find regular paying work and failed to sell any of my creative talents well enough to get my "big break."

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14. 73

    AEvansposted 15 years ago

    Why would it matter if someone is rich or poor, people are people are they not? We should not measure ourselves for what we have, but we should measure ourselves for what we do and how we handle ourselves, you see I am wealthy because I have family and friends who surround me.

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15. 76

    frogdroppingposted 15 years ago

    I'm loved, by those that I wish to be loved by. That's enough rich for me.
    
    I had money, in a former life. None now. And I'm the happier for it.

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16. 64

    jenblacksheepposted 15 years ago

    Happiness is important and what makes you truly happy. If money and material possessions make you really happy/fulfilled then fine. Most people though will tend to say that money is not important and that friendship, love etc makes them happy. Rich/Poor is irrelevant.

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17. 54

    kmackey32posted 15 years ago

    I am poor.

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18. 69

    lrohnerposted 15 years ago

    There are still rich people left out there???

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19. 75

    spiderpamposted 15 years ago

    Poor-Student Loans

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20. 58

    darksideposted 15 years ago

    I am capable of paying all my bills, and buying enough food to feed my family, owning a computer and being online.
    
    So no, I am not poor.

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21. 81

    LondonGirlposted 15 years ago

    I imagine none of the people writing here are among the 1 billion people in the world without enough to eat. We all have spare money to spend on computers and internet connections.

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22. 72

    earnestshubposted 15 years ago

    Like the dreaded frogdroppings I had money in a previous life, but I am ok with just not being poor.

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23. 80

    k@riposted 15 years ago

    I provide a good life for my family as a single mother.  It may take working like a dog, but that's OK.  I am also very rich in the love of my family for which I am most grateful. 
    
    
    
    Sorry, I just felt richer seeing this happy snowman!

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    1. 61

       marinealways24posted 15 years agoin reply to this

       lol why is there a pine cone at his waist/leg area?

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24. 61

    chukra Gposted 15 years ago

    born RICH but money ruined me

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       darksideposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Ah right, it's the moneys fault.

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          getpaidtopostposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          right you are darkside. People with money are ruined by abuse, It not the moneys fault chukra G. Money would stop most peoples worries.
          

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25. 63

    My Inner Jewposted 15 years ago

    depends on what you measure wealth by....if you are meaning money i am very poor, but if you are meaning in family and friends then i am very rich

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26. 59

    onthewritesideposted 15 years ago

    I earned my money the old-fashioned way...I inherited it!  I'm so friggin rich that I just put ten gazillion dollars in Marine's paypal account so she can afford to buy that poor snowman a coat!

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       onthewritesideposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       oops sorry....that was K@ri's snowman i guess....lol

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27. 59

    utuposted 15 years ago

    Well I can go  buy whatever I want, so what does that make me.  It often easier to be poor! No jealousy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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28. 0

    \Brenda Scullyposted 15 years ago

    Being a good saver, may not make you rich, but it would certainly help out in hard times.... I have never been a saver, but when I get back into the work force, I will put a little away instead of spending it all.......

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29. 59

    anime_nanetposted 15 years ago

    Too much love will kill you, just as sure as none at all...

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       earnestshubposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       I have never heard of too much love, I would like to try for it.

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30. 72

    Enelle Lambposted 15 years ago

    I like to think of myself as extremely rich...however, I don't have a lot of cash...does that qualify?

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31. 98

    Gordon Hamiltonposted 15 years ago

    I am all three. "Three," you ask?
    
    I am rich beyond my wildest dreams in the number of good friends whom I have and...well, I better not mention anything religious in case I get "smacked" again!
    
    I am "in between" in the sense that I am slowly recovering from the absolute fortune I lost because of Credit Crunch.
    
    I am poor in the sense that I miss my ex more and more with every passing day. I thought it was supposed to get easier with time?
    
    Friends, the story is true...I am that soldier!

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32. 59

    Pete Maidaposted 15 years ago

    The terms are relative.  Unless you are completely down and out or your Bill Gates; there are people that see you as rich and people that see you as poor.

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    RKHenryposted 15 years ago

    What's below poor?

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    1. 83

       gmwilliamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

       Poverty, penury...............

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34. 74

    Eaglekiwiposted 15 years ago

    I am so angry with Bank Of America
    They loved me when I handed them $4,000 foreign currency, and now when I ask for a basic credit card ,they want me to establish a longer banking history!
    Too bad I didnt ask them to provide one for me 5mths ago, grrrrr
    
    To tell you the truth Im sick of banks ,just wish our money system was all different.

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       dennisemattposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       yeah. my husband works for a landscaping company, and they do the lawn for a local bank, and the manager there actually said.."we have so much money, we dont know what to do with it."..he was concerned about taxes...and my bank just changed its rules..if I have lees then 100 dollars in checking any day, I will be charged a 35 dollar service fee...

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          Eaglekiwiposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          Its crazy !!, what service is that covering I wonder?
          Well I just learned Pres Obama or his office is on Facebook, plus he has his Washington  website , might have to check that out some more...

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    Jodahposted 8 years ago

    I am a rich rich as far as having a wonderful loving family, good health, and beautiful lifestyle surrounded by nature. I am poor in monetary terms having enough to cover bills and keep a roof over my head, but little extra. Even when I had a high paying job we weren't really any happier. Money doesn't buy happiness it just makes life a little easier. The more money people make, the more they often stress about losing it.

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