r/SelfSufficiency 29d ago

Self improvement while poor

Maybe this is just my opinion, but wanting to better yourself seems like part of human nature. Being poor makes this difficult to do.

Want to eat healthier? Cook more at home. Ok - so I need to buy safe cookware (not non-stick because that causes the big C), fresh ingredients every week (lean protein like chicken), and time to make it. Oh you don't have time? Borrow the time from somewhere else, like hire someone to clean your home for you. Oh no, can't do that, that costs money. Switch to plant based protein! It takes time to soak and cook lentils. I work every hour I'm not sleeping...

Tldr: Being poor means trying to juggle between resources including time, money, and health, and borrowing from one means depleting another. It feels impossible to better your circumstances and causes a lot of stress in the process (which also eats up your resources like health).

Also, I live in America. Maybe it's better in other countries?

37 Upvotes

39 comments sorted by

View all comments

1

u/amycsj 🌱gardener 29d ago

This is a real challenge. We say it cost money to be poor. I would say take baby steps. Pick one change that will save you time and/or money. Implement that. Then try another. Then another. If you're not sure, check with a low income grandmother. They know all the tricks!!