02-Jan-2007: Poverty
Almost three years ago my income dropped from six figures to zero overnight. I'm now back up to almost five figures. In other words,
my income is about average for those we consider to be poor. I wish, at times, I had started a diary back then in which I kept
track of the things I was losing, the things I was gaining, and what it has done to me. But I was not thinking clearly enough then to
undertake even that small job.
When my income was six figures my attitude was different than it is now. It was too much trouble to bring a lunch from home
to work, so I'd buy a lunch instead—sometimes with a few beer— and usually bought a breakfast as well. I figure,
conservatively, that I must have been spending about $20/day, or $100/week, on meals that I puchased while at work. My "allowance" these days
is $10/month. That is all that I have to spend on "incidentals," like lunches. Now I take leftovers from home and heat them in the microwave,
much to the envy of my co-workers who smell these wonderful meals that my wife has made a day or two before.
If the family decided it wanted a meal in the city followed by a movie, we would not think twice. Realistically, the cost of
such a venture for three kids and two adults was well in excess of $100. Now, we cannot give each other gifts on birthdays, anniversaries,
or Christmas. Our monthly
food bill is half of what it used to be and, even with the local charity organizations donating food to our family, we are still left eating
not much more than casseroles, stir fries, and Kraft Dinner.
I never did pay much attention to clothing. I was never interested in styles and fashion, and slacks—sometimes blue jeans—with open collar shirt
was pretty standard in the world of computer analysis. For the past two years I've been working part time in an environment where a tie is a must
(which I think is a very strange and long-outdated custom). So, I needed shirts where I could button the top button without strangling. I didn't have
many of those, and over the years clothing becomes frayed. I went to one of those used clothing stores that are becoming more common-place.
I saw people from all walks of life, checking out the deals. I left with four pairs of dress pants and five shirts for work—and I had spent
just over $50. Compared to the $500 or more I would have paid for the same clothes in a department store, I felt I got a pretty good deal. In fact,
I did feel good about it.
Here is one important thing that I used to have, but no longer have: the ability to give to charities. Huh? you ask. Well, think about it:
at one time we gave thousands of dollars a year to our church and various charities. Now I cannot even contribute a toonie to a collect plate
or to a homeless person on the street. It does hurt that I cannot do this. And, no, I did not give generously in the past to show off or for any other
personal gain. The governments of Canada and Quebec gave me about $3,500 during the late 1960's and early 1970's so that I could go
to university. That's $3,500 spread over five years. (It was enough, then.) Ever since university, until three years ago, I paid more than $3,500 a year (actually, a lot
more than that) in income taxes. I figure that by now we are even. Of course, the governments could have chosen not to give
me any money then; if they had done that, then they would not have gotten very much by way of income tax from me since then. I pay back
my good fortune when I can. Being a law-abiding citizen is another way I repay those who had faith in me when I appeared to have so little to offer.
Which brings me to the most important thing that I have gained: an awareness of the many, many generous folks and institutions who do support the poor.
Unless you are there, you cannot imagine how wide-spread it is. Help comes from many sources, with no questions or requests for payback. We take as little
as we can to get by, but still, sometimes I feel like I am surrounded by angels. I just couldn't see them before. So, in a sense, it has been a blessing
to go through this period of my life.
And I swear they will all get repaid...