28 Unexpected Clues Only Those Who Grew Up Poor Notice That Reveal True Wealth
Ever wonder what “rich” really means when you’ve never had a nickel to spare? For the 11 million kids in America growing up poor—yeah, that’s one in seven—wealth isn’t about flashy cars or designer labels. It’s the little things many of us overlook: eating pizza because you want to, not because it’s a bargain, or filling the gas tank all the way without counting every dime. These aren’t just luxuries, they’re subtle markers of comfort and ease that those born into privilege often take for granted. So, what does being rich look like through the eyes of those who’ve had to fight for every penny? Grab a seat, because the answers might just make you rethink what wealth really means—hint: it’s a lot more than money in the bank.
In America, nearly 11 million children are poor. That’s 1 in 7 kids, who make up almost one-third of all people living in poverty in this country. After growing up, none of those kids take things for granted, and they can clearly see the obvious prerogatives that the privileged and rich are lucky to have.
So when someone posed a question to people “who grew up poor, what do you associate with being rich?” on r/AskReddit, it immediately turned into an eye-opening thread. Below we selected some of the most interesting and thought-provoking responses that make us question simple things like going to Disneyland, buying new, not used furniture, and not having to dread grocery shopping.
Scroll down below, and after you’re done, be sure to check out our previous post with small subtle things about wealthy people that scream they are insanely rich.
Eating pizza because you want to not because it’s $2. That and mom eating along with us normally instead of pretending that the crust is her favorite part and that’s why she’d eat the crust we leave.
There’s a line from Nick in new girl that describes being well off as ‘filling your gas tank up all the way rich.’ That was the rich I wanted to be. Comfortable. Also not having to do math in the grocery store to see what food you can buy.
Indifference. I realized what real wealth meant in high school when we cleaned up trash from a creek and the rich kids wore their Polo shirts, Guess jeans, and Jordan’s because if they were trashed they simply would get new. The poor kids wore their grubby clothes they do labor in.
Wealth is shown most acutely by indifference, nothing matters because money will fix it and there is plenty enough to fill black holes.
Going to a store to pick out furniture. Like, actually buying NEW stuff, not just taking whatever you can find at thrift stores or garage sales. That seems so luxurious!
Hiring people to either cook, clean, mow the grass or do snow removal in the winter.
Showing my age but rich people didn’t need lay away to afford back to school or Christmas shopping
I don’t remember ever having name brand items, food or clothing. It was all generic Kmart. I bought my son a pair of Nike shoes and thought I felt rich for doing so.
Parents that didn’t fight. Mine and my other poor friends’ parents were always fighting. Most of the time my parents fought it was over money. You could tell that they were just scared whether or not we were going to make it and that’s how it manifested. You just never really saw that same type of fighting at the friends parents who were comfortable.
Like obviously there’s more factors but there’s a unique chaotic tension in poor households that is hard to describe.
Stairs. I’ve always lived in an apartment, so for me, I really hope that I’ll one day have a house with stairs.
Also well balanced meals, three meals a day.
Being allowed to go in the fridge and get something to drink or eat without having to ask or worry about being yelled at
Fresh fruit and vegetables. Anything we ever got was frozen or from a can. Frozen and canned last longer too.
People that openly had fruit bowls on their tables was the epitome of lavish for me as a kid.
Kids that went to summer camp. I got sent to long distant family and worked on family farm.
Eating out. Birthday presents and Christmas presents that’s not clothes or school supply. New clothes that’s not hand me downs. And haircuts at a hair dresser.
Having food delivered. $5-$10 mark up?? Are you kidding?
For that matter, just going OUT to eat was a luxury.
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