December 2, 2007

Being poor or just broke

By Danielle Seckler

   Times are getting harder and harder for most Americans today. Nationally, we are bleeding ourselves and the next generations into massive debt. Oil prices are steadily climbing and in the near future, most Californians will be paying $4.00 per gallon with no end in sight. No one can go into the grocery stores and find many prices that haven’t climbed since last week, due to increased costs for shipping.

   Locally, the hourly rate for employees hasn’t changed, however many people have been switched from salary to hourly employees. On average each employee will have to work an extra 5-7 hours per week to make what they did before. Fixed incomes can’t possibly keep up with everyday increases in electricity, natural gas, gasoline, etc. It hits you from all sides and people are feeling the squeeze. Businesses are hurting and so are the people.

   While on our mini Thanksgiving break, I had a chance to talk to friends and family about the sad state all of us are finding ourselves in and how bleak the immediate future seems. While speaking to our family matriarch, she reminded me of the difference between being poor or just broke.

   ‘Poor’, she said could have many different possible elements; bad health, being unloved, no friends, terminal illness, or having no hope were just some of the examples. While being ‘broke’ means you don’t have any money; which is relative to what a personal spending habits and income. Being broke is not the same thing as being poor, she told us.

   In thinking back on my life, I realized that I have never been poor. I do remember several times being broke. The first time, I was in college and my books cost more than I had expected, which left no money left to buy food. Being too proud to go back to my parents for more money, I went door-to-door in a wealthy neighborhood asking for cans and bottles; which I turned into cash to eat with. My parents having heard of this after the fact told me that I was being foolish. They admired my will for fixing the problem, but reminded me that I was never alone and all problems can be solved together. Mom sent me home with the biggest 'care package' I had ever seen.

   So in this time of season where so many people are having difficulties, I have to remind myself that not having money is not the same thing as being poor. As for my family, we have love, more good health than bad, good education, many options, and lots of friends. Times may get harder, but no one is alone and like so many other times in all of our lives, things will get better – though it may not be the way we envisioned.

  As my old dog lies on my feet, tail slowly flopping against the floor, I find that life is good and this is going to be the best Christmas ever…

   Happy Holidays from all of us to all of you!!

Would you like to comment on this article? Just send us an email to PR@bearvalleynews.com. Let us know if you would like us to put it in a letter to the editor and if you want your name printed.

Back to Front Page