Every family has their roots. Our childhood homes were patched together with whatever we could salvage. And even today, we hang onto things most folks would throw away.
A butter tub? Oh that’s great for leftover storage. An old, faded t-shirt? That’s the perfect dish rag. Here are 8 things we still treasure because they remind us of our parents’ struggles. Small victories during hard times.
Expired coupons or flyers
If you were raised poor, you understand that when you lose a coupon, it’s like tossing money in the garbage. That’s why you probably still have a stack of old coupons sitting on your countertop.
It’s a hard habit to break when you never want to be blindsided by an increase in price again. Some folks who are born with money in their pockets may view it as “hoarding,” but they have never had to decide between two items while standing in line.
Those scraps of paper remind you that you care about every dollar you spend, expired or not.
Extra plastic bags
Ask anyone raised with very little, and they’ll tell you they save every plastic bag that comes into their house.
Born from scarcity, the behavior is both a need to always be prepared and a resistance to waste. They’ll become trash liners, freezer bag protectors, or something in between.
It’s just another way of stretching your dollar with free stuff. Growing up with nothing really changes what matters most.
Mismatched or broken furniture
Every bit of odd furniture has a history about a family who decided to mend rather than toss.
That coffee table with tape holding it together is more than used furniture, it’s evidence of a family spending a Sunday afternoon with a screwdriver and love.
Hand-me-downs stay functional with a sprinkle of DIY spirit and faith that nothing is ever damaged beyond repair if it still works for your family.
Generic or no-name products
Your washing machine doesn’t care what shape the laundry detergent bottle is. Growing up poor, you learned that “no-name” doesn’t mean “no-quality.” It means “no-marketing.”
Choosing store brands, even when you could easily spring for the name brands, is a rebellious, sensible choice to avoid being tricked by slick packaging.
You’re paying for what you buy, not the prestige of the name, and that kind of financial mindset will keep your bank account strong decades down the road.
A supply of old towels or sheets
Discarding a towel because it’s threadbare? That’s such an extravagantly ridiculous waste of perfectly good cotton fiber.
Those of us who grew up with scarcity know that “worn out” does not equal “useless.” You rip those sheets into rags or stash them away until the next time Fido decides to roll around in mud.
Frugal folks reject the throwaway culture. If it can still absorb liquid or protect floors, it has a place in this home. Full stop.
Secondhand or hand-me-down items
When you grow up with nothing, your home is likely to be filled with secondhand things. This comes from truly valuing what’s available.
As long as they still do the job, items like clothes, dishes, and tools retain their value.
Holding onto them allows you to save money and remember the family or friends who gave it to you.
A secret shelf of canned food
There’s always a hidden supply of canned food or bottled water, just for emergencies, even with a full house of modern conveniences.
Sure, your pantry is fully stocked right now, but those of us raised with nothing keep a secret supply. A couple of extra cans. A few weeks’ worth of bottled water stashed away.
The past experience of scarcity can bring back those anxious nights, filled with the worry of running out of food. Even when life gets easier, that feeling doesn’t just vanish.
Change jars
Remember the feeling you got when your spare change jar made that full thunk at the end of the day? Sweet little jingle as another coin joined the gang.
Our change jars were more than spare change. It was the “vacation fund.” Or perhaps the “school clothes fund.”
As we got older we discovered a simple lesson. Loose change tossed in here and there can really add up over time, even if it doesn’t feel like much happening.
Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.
13 Things the Middle Class Enjoys, That the Poor Can’t Afford
Have you ever noticed how some things just seem standard for some people but are totally out of reach for others? It turns out there’s quite a bit that separates the middle class from those struggling to get by — beyond just income. It’s the everyday stuff that can make life a bit sweeter—or a lot easier. So, let’s look at 13 of these things and see just how varied our experiences can be based on what we earn.
13 Things the Middle Class Enjoys, That the Poor Can’t Afford
