The Riches to Rags Story of 17 Formerly Rich People
"I had no idea how much more expensive it was to be poor."
We don't all have Scrooge McDuck's wealth, but there are a fortunate number of people in our population who were born into money. These are the kids who had piano lessons, dance lessons, designer clothes, and were dropped off by their parents or drivers in fancy cars wherever they went.
They also tend to be the popular kids in class because they have the capacity to throw parties in their fabulous homes. Their lives are pretty much set early on.
You would expect that their money could afford them the best quality of education, land them good careers, and open doors that are otherwise shut for the rest of us. It's the comfortable life that most of us dream about and work hard for.
The funny thing about life is that it's unpredictable. These rich kids may be on top of the totem pole right now, but even their money couldn't accurately predict their future.
Sure, their paths are pretty much set, but their success is not guaranteed. They may be rich now, but some hitch or another can easily cause their family to lose all their money.
They go into a tailspin and find themselves in a situation they never thought would happen. Instead of rags to riches, it goes the opposite way, and their once-opulent life becomes a montage similar to Cinderella's childhood.
How do formerly rich people cope with this sudden change? We don't have to wonder because some of them have shared how they adapted to their new and unexpected life.
1. Their mom had to get a job after their dad left and spent all their money
Anonymous2. They had to sell everything, and the mental toll of the abrupt lifestyle change peaked
Anonymous3. Their dad was duped and invested in a fake company. They used to live in a nice neighborhood in Calabasas but had to move to a tiny house full of cockroaches.
Anonymous
4. The heartbreak of choosing between buying new clothes so your kid won't get bullied or using the money for groceries
shas4edf27c42
5. This person now has to endure the pity from coworkers after declining a lunch invite
Anonymous
6. They now feel small compared to those who make more money simply because of what's in their bank account
Anonymous
7. Being poor means constantly stressing about everything, and this means true enjoyment is out of the picture
Anonymous
8. When you don't have full-time house staff, you have to do everything yourself, including watching out for sales to get the best value for your money
Anonymous
9. You can't go to many places when you have to worry about gas
Anonymous
10. This limits your choices of employment, leisure, and affordable places to shop
Anonymous
11. Driving a clunky car is expensive as well
Anonymous
12. House cleaning supplies are also expensive, and yes, Bounty paper towels are as amazing as advertised
Anonymous
13. You can't afford to go to the hospital for routine check-ups because it's out of the budget. You also have to cut back on necessary prescription medicine.
Anonymous
14. Even when you absolutely have to, medical exams are optional because they are too expensive
Anonymous
15. You can take them home too and save some money on groceries
Anonymous
16. You have to buy the cheapest food possible
Anonymous
17. Dentists are expensive, and you have to check with the income earner if it's within the budget to get a dental procedure done
Anonymous
18. See: Sam Vimes' "Boots" Theory of Socioeconomic Unfairness
Anonymous
19. You have to carefully plan when you can pay your bills based on when your paycheck comes in
Anonymous
20. The biggest scam in society
Anonymous
Poverty is something you never wish on anyone, even your worst enemy. It's not easy; it's depressing, and it's much more difficult to pull yourself up by the bootstraps when you're saddled with debt.
It's about time we, as a society, stop romanticizing growing up impoverished. The economic gap between the rich and the poor is inhumane.
