#1 2010-11-22 15:38:07

Before y'all comfortably nod off to sleep again, I wonder how many of you have known from piss poor.

My curiosity isn't academic. I've spent most of my adult life there, more of friends and associates are joining the fraternity, and there's this: Advice for New Paupers, by the author of my previous link.

Auto-edited on 2020-08-02 to update URLs

Last edited by choad (2010-11-22 15:39:36)

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#2 2010-11-22 16:04:20

I came from there, here's the rules:

1.  Own your car
2.  Don't buy a damn thing
3.  Buy hard staples in bulk, meat is a luxury
4.  Keep your seeds dry
5.  Know how to work and I mean really work; drive HE or pound a fucking nail

Last edited by Emmeran (2010-11-22 16:39:22)

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#3 2010-11-22 16:14:14

I spent a year there, in a manner of speaking, while in grad school.  I lived in the bed of my pick-up truck (rather than a boat).  Like the author said, no shower, no warmth, no easy way of making yourself look presentable.  I hadn't realized before then that Charlottesville could be so cold and damp. 

One other tidbit of advice.  You can always spend a few warm hours in a laundromat.  They are always warm and dry, and even if the excessive fluorescent lighting makes you look like a box of detergent, you can get some reading done.

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#4 2010-11-22 16:40:03

Emmeran wrote:

4.  Keep your seeds dry

Amen. Doesn't sound like your canning jars gather dust.

Most donkey work distills to learning how to hump weight without hurting yourself and how to look busy when you're not.

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#5 2010-11-22 17:20:28

Emmeran wrote:

1.  Own your car
2.  Don't buy a damn thing
3.  Buy hard staples in bulk, meat is a luxury
4.  Keep your seeds dry
5.  Know how to work and I mean really work; drive HE or pound a fucking nail

6.  Be well armed.
7.  Stockpile potable water.
8.  and stable fuel (diesel, propane)

Hey, Dusty's a prepper, I'm sure he could add to this list.

That was a good read, though pushing the Prozac was kind of weird.  I've been lucky... I've been poor and without transportation, but never for long.  I've never gone hungry and have always at least had a friends couch to crash on.

Auto-edited on 2020-08-02 to update URLs

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#6 2010-11-22 17:35:32

opsec wrote:

Hey, Dusty's a prepper, I'm sure he could add to this list.

It would be interesting going out and firing an AK-47 with Dmtdust.

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#7 2010-11-22 17:46:04

opsec wrote:

That was a good read, though pushing the Prozac was kind of weird.

Yep, so was the dog, the boat, the car and no honorable mention at all of weed.

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#8 2010-11-22 17:56:53

choad wrote:

...  no honorable mention at all of weed.

https://cruelery.com/uploads/thumbs/30_freewheelin_franklin.jpg
sorry couldn't help myself

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#9 2010-11-22 19:00:28

I was born on third base and truly believe I hit a triple.

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#10 2010-11-22 19:34:48

Tall Paul wrote:

I was born on third base and truly believe I hit a triple.

Am I missing some deep philosophical meaning here?  If you hit a triple, you can't be anywhere other than on third base.

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#11 2010-11-22 19:37:58

The cops don't pull you over because your insurance is expired, they pull you over for something else then nail you if your insurance is expired.  I still stop buying things any time my outgo is more than my income in any given pay period.  It's pretty deeply ingrained from my ramen noodle eating days.  If only I could convince the Boss to think the same way.  To add to the list:

9. Fix your own stuff.  You can't afford a mechanic/plumber/whatever when food money is a problem.

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#12 2010-11-22 19:47:10

hedgewizard wrote:

9. Fix your own stuff.  You can't afford a mechanic/plumber/whatever when food money is a problem.

Good catch, that is key; I've just been self-reliant so long I've forgotten that others are not.  (except Automatic transmissions, I don't do those)

I also always have at least a good canvas tent, campers are even better.

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#13 2010-11-22 21:30:03

You need to read this.

Plus, she likes guns.  A lot.

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#14 2010-11-23 00:02:56

MSG Tripps wrote:

https://cruelery.com/uploads/thumbs/30_ … anklin.jpg
sorry couldn't help myself

Exactly where my mind went.

https://cruelery.com/sidepic/freewheelinfranklin.png



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#15 2010-11-23 00:28:54

Dahl, remember Heads 'n Feds (pdf), the Freak Brothers Board Game?

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#16 2010-11-23 00:38:16

choad wrote:

Dahl, remember Heads 'n Feds (pdf), the Freak Brothers Board Game?

Yeah, with that memory bump I do.  Thank you for the link, choad.

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#17 2010-11-23 01:03:55

I had it kind of rough the first two years after high school.  I was paying for the whole mechanics tool list (had to get all snapon tools on credit) along with supporting a pretty solid diet of marijauna and alcohol.  The worst part about it all was realizing that I was just one, maybe two, paychecks away from losing my vehicle, tools, apartment and whatever chance I had of getting laid for awhile.  I sometimes think back to that miserable part of my life and it's really lead me to be prepared for things that might come.  To prepare for any surprises I've invested in a lot of high quality tools over the years that might get me a job and in a pinch could be sold to keep me going awhile.  I also convert about half of what would go into my savings into gold and silver as a store of wealth.  It's just too easy to go to an ATM and pull out money to go on a shopping spree, spending one ounce gold bars and ten ounce silver bars is a little more difficult.  I've pondered using simple living techniques to stop feeding the beast and become more self reliant, but I'm a fucking consumer and I like to buy cool shit.  My next purchase is going to be a Ruger Redhawk .44...

On a similar note, I would like to mention that the best thing that I've done for myself recently was to stop watching the news on television or participating in any political discussion.  None of it is real, all it does is create crisis after crisis to turn people against one another.  It's good to be prepared for when things go bad, but not allowing yourself to get sucked in by those fearmongers makes the world a lot happier place to live.

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#18 2010-11-23 04:59:11

I’ve experienced the genteel poverty of being in school with very little disposable income, but so far I’ve avoided real desperate poverty.  However, I’ve fallen very far in the last few years, from being able to go to Europe every year to being lower middle class.  And it looks like I may be about to fall further, or at least lose what shrinking reserve I still have.  You see, Partner™ and I both need expensive dental work that isn’t covered by our insurance.  Not having it done means that both of us would eventually experience a lot of pain, and possibly other complications (arthritis, heart problems, kidney failure) if we just let it go.

I haven’t been able to work for several years because Partner™ has needed me to take care of him.  Several doctors, and friends who work in the medical field have told us he wouldn’t be alive today if it weren’t for me.  Between my loss of income because I couldn’t work, his loss of income from being now permanently unable to work, huge medical bills because I didn’t have insurance for several years, and current medical expenses that aren’t covered by his or my insurance, we are slowly drifting further down the income ladder.

We own our modest home, and our one car free and clear.   We still have a few nice things left over from the years when we were wealthy.  And we have a small amount of money coming in. Of course this means we don’t qualify for any assistance.  But then I’m against government financed medical care including in-home care, housing assistance, and other social programs designed to help people who run into a bit of turbulence during their lives.  The experience of slowly losing everything one has worked for builds character!{/sarcasm}

I never thought I would be living at the level I’m at now.  And the possibility of being homeless or living in a SRO fleabag hotel is a possibility in the next few years at the rate things are going. Spending my old age in a Turd World Country living on Social Security (which at one time was the worst thing I thought could possibly happen in my life) may not be an option if the Predatory Class has its way.  Spending my old age in exile on Social Security is beginning to look like a fairytale happily ever after event instead of a dreadful disaster!

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#19 2010-11-23 07:20:09

fnord wrote:

And it looks like I may be about to fall further, or at least lose what shrinking reserve I still have.  You see, Partner™ and I both need expensive dental work that isn’t covered by our insurance.  Not having it done means that both of us would eventually experience a lot of pain, and possibly other complications (arthritis, heart problems, kidney failure) if we just let it go.

I can personally recommend dentists I know with practices that cater to westerners. Located in Mexico or Thailand.  The savings are in the order of 70 to 80%. What we did was to get family an affordable apartment for a month and get it all done.

But of course if you have complicating medical conditions such as heart issues, you may want to have your dental work done near a top rated specialist center. Of which our family has found that the best in the world is now in India. Where instead of nearly a 300k bill for 10 days of intensive care it cost about 20 grand.

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#20 2010-11-23 09:10:56

I grew up on a farm with a father in the service. We learned early on how to economize. I really just break it down into a couple of simple rules:

1) Any money NOT spent is like earning an instant 100% return on an investment.
2) Buy for value. Not price or prestige, just value. Learn how to calculate cost per use and live within it.
3) Pay yourself first. You can't imagine the peace of mind that comes from knowing that there is a rainy day fund.
4) Save money first, THEN spend it.
5) Give honest value for your labor and you will always have a job.

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#21 2010-11-23 10:47:01

opsec wrote:

Tall Paul wrote:

I was born on third base and truly believe I hit a triple.

Am I missing some deep philosophical meaning here?  If you hit a triple, you can't be anywhere other than on third base.

I believe it refers to someone who is born into opulence and somehow believes he earned his position.

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#22 2010-11-23 18:36:03

I was totally-on-the-street- homeless for 8 months. Somebody suggested I go to trade school, I did and lived in a dirt floor basement for the 1st half but after that I rented a trailor.

Now I own a pretty large company and make and spend a good chunk of change.

I save for retirement and emergency but I also blow a lot on guitars, parties and vacations.

Strippers love coke and money , I try to be accomodating at the strip club. Helping single mothers is my cause.

Last edited by Bigcat (2010-11-23 18:39:40)

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#23 2010-11-23 21:38:51

wolfpitlord wrote:

opsec wrote:

Tall Paul wrote:

I was born on third base and truly believe I hit a triple.

Am I missing some deep philosophical meaning here?  If you hit a triple, you can't be anywhere other than on third base.

I believe it refers to someone who is born into opulence and somehow believes he earned his position.

Hadn't heard that one... the googlethulu brings up...

Some people are born on third base and go through life thinking they hit a triple.
    Barry Switzer
    US football coach (1937 -


So thank you both for broadening my cultural horizons.  I know it's unlikely, but I'm hoping that at least one of you actually raise wolves in pits, and makes them call you lord.

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#24 2010-11-23 23:28:46

opsec wrote:

wolfpitlord wrote:

opsec wrote:


Am I missing some deep philosophical meaning here?  If you hit a triple, you can't be anywhere other than on third base.

I believe it refers to someone who is born into opulence and somehow believes he earned his position.

Hadn't heard that one... the googlethulu brings up...

Some people are born on third base and go through life thinking they hit a triple.
    Barry Switzer
    US football coach (1937 -


So thank you both for broadening my cultural horizons.  I know it's unlikely, but I'm hoping that at least one of you actually raise wolves in pits, and makes them call you lord.

'Twas most recently used to describe the mentality of our old pal W.

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#25 2010-11-23 23:50:25

Summer was short at 10,000 ft, winter work was scare and fishing was a five man job; two snagging, two clubbing and one watching for the game warden.

I ate Kokanee salmon October to May three winters running, fresh thaw poached, broiled, grilled, baked, fried, and pickled. The memory still hits my gag reflex.

Shirt sleeves to tee shirts in seven generations.

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#26 2010-11-24 08:34:45

opsec wrote:

wolfpitlord wrote:

opsec wrote:


Am I missing some deep philosophical meaning here?  If you hit a triple, you can't be anywhere other than on third base.

I believe it refers to someone who is born into opulence and somehow believes he earned his position.

Hadn't heard that one... the googlethulu brings up...

Some people are born on third base and go through life thinking they hit a triple.
    Barry Switzer
    US football coach (1937 -


So thank you both for broadening my cultural horizons.  I know it's unlikely, but I'm hoping that at least one of you actually raise wolves in pits, and makes them call you lord.

Additionally, they are not permitted to turn their backs toward me as they depart The PIT.

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#27 2010-11-24 17:00:02

sic

Dirckman wrote:

On a similar note, I would like to mention that the best thing that I've done for myself recently was to stop watching the news on television or participating in any political discussion.  None of it is real, all it does is create crisis after crisis to turn people against one another.  It's good to be prepared for when things go bad, but not allowing yourself to get sucked in by those fearmongers makes the world a lot happier place to live.

Hear Hear!  To quote Mencken:  "The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary."  (Chrestomathy - 12/1921)

My only addition to the "Rules":  Have a public library card.  Thanks to inter-library loan, I have expanded my music collection exponentially and have explored genres of music I would never in my life have even given a second thought without spending a dime.  Of course, as long as you have music in your life, things are much more bearable.

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#28 2010-11-24 18:20:24

So...

Kill your television.
Your library is your friend.
Acquire marketable skills.
Tear up your credit cards.
Invest in things you care about.
Turd world travel for healthcare.
Plant a garden and raise chickens.

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#29 2010-11-24 20:07:14

Guinea hens. Maybe.

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#30 2010-11-24 21:24:18

Choad, it doesn't have to be that complicated. It doesn't even take all that much work:

1) Don't spend money you don't have or won't need in the foreseeable future.
2) When you do HAVE to spend money, spend it wisely.
3) Be open minded about where the stuff you NEED comes from. Sure, it takes a little more work to troll craigslist, put the word out to friends or hit a couple of thrift shops, but it always saves you money.
4) Learn skills that pay you back big. Basic sewing, plumbing, electrical and small engine repair skills probably save me $1000+ a year.

I'm lucky. I'm the size a lot of people USED to be, so I can buy all the brand new shirts and pants I need at thrift stores for $1-4 each.

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#31 2010-11-24 22:35:49

choad wrote:

So...

Kill your television.
Your library is your friend.
Acquire marketable skills.
Tear up your credit cards.
Invest in things you care about.
Turd world travel for healthcare.
Plant a garden and raise chickens.

You forgot:

Get to know Mr. Clean
Go clubbing with fish

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#32 2010-11-25 01:38:38

Tall Paul wrote:

Guinea hens. Maybe.

Only suggested for the deaf.  Roosters may be pain at certain times of day, but guinea fowl (either sex) never shut up.

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#33 2010-11-25 01:54:22

God but I'm fucking drunk....  Rule #1 when it comes to being fiscally responsible on a personal level is don't pick up any major drug or alchohol dependencies!!  I'm doing just fine now, but if something happened I doubt I could support my four to five hundred dollar a month alcohol allowance.  Of course I'll just blame the govt. for taxing, regulating, and making it so fucking expensive in the first place.

Last edited by Dirckman (2010-11-25 01:56:12)

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#34 2010-11-25 02:00:44

Dirckman wrote:

I'm doing just fine now, but if something happened I doubt I could support my four to five hundred dollar a month alcohol allowance.  Of course I'll just blame the govt. for taxing, regulating, and making it so fucking expensive in the first place.

Or hide a still next to your grow box. Where you live, revenuers will never find it.

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#35 2010-11-26 12:50:42

When I was growing up we were dependent on church donations for clothing for a while, and we went barely making it month to month for a long time, so while we weren't really poor, I know what it's like to have to scrounge to make it.  At the moment, though, I just happened to land myself in one of the few non-banking sectors that is rolling in cash.  It's a bit surreal.  I try to help out people where I can, because it's a pretty shitty situation in this country right now where some people are raking it in so many people's job prospects are sluggish or worse, but I try not to let it stop me from enjoying what I have now, even though it kind of feels like I fell ass-backwards into a nice job when the rest of my family is feeling the same crunch as everyone else.

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#36 2010-11-26 20:39:49

I heard an explanation for the origin of the phrase "piss poor" the other day and this thread jogged my memory. 
"They used to use urine to tan animal skins, so families used to all pee in a pot and then once a day it was taken and sold to the tannery. If you had to do this to survive you were "Piss Poor."  But worse than that were the really poor folk who couldn't even afford to buy a pot . . . they "didn't have a pot to piss in" and were the lowest of the low."

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#37 2010-11-26 21:05:37

Don't suppose that might be folk etymology?

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#38 2010-11-26 21:19:16

SilverSmythe wrote:

I heard an explanation for the origin of the phrase "piss poor" the other day and this thread jogged my memory.

I learned today the term 'straw man' derives from those broke enough to advertise their civic virtue by sticking a straw in their shoe when they arrived at the polls to sell their votes to the highest bidder. The expression means something altogether different anymore, when votes are so much easier and cheaper to buy.

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#39 2010-11-28 21:04:19

choad wrote:

Dirckman wrote:

I'm doing just fine now, but if something happened I doubt I could support my four to five hundred dollar a month alcohol allowance.  Of course I'll just blame the govt. for taxing, regulating, and making it so fucking expensive in the first place.

Or hide a still next to your grow box. Where you live, revenuers will never find it.

I have a relative who makes his own, but he lives on 100 acres of deep south forested land.

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#40 2010-11-29 07:32:57

Hi HK - It's good to see you around.

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#41 2010-11-29 09:05:49

Fled wrote:

Hi HK - It's good to see you around.

Hi Fled!  I missed (some) of you.

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#42 2010-11-30 08:35:50

The romantic upside of downsizing.

We are just one misstep from being Oakies by any other name.

Well except for HKG, who has too much of a tan to qualify as Beverly hillbillies.

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