A writer and publicist named Victoria Barrett recently posed a very interesting question to people on Twitter and it started a thread that was very revealing about how people view money and possessions.
Here’s what Barrett asked the Twitter-verse.
Former poor kids: what are some things you have in your house that you *never* had as a kid, things your not-poor friends would never consider luxuries?
— Victoria Barrett (@victoriabwrites) January 20, 2020
Let’s see what people had to say.
1. Barrett offered a few of her own.
Missing the essentials.
A few of mine are Kleenex, band-aids, ziplock bags, and paper towels.
— Victoria Barrett (@victoriabwrites) January 20, 2020
2. A lot of the basics.
Sounds like it was tough.
Air conditioning, dishwasher, disposable stuff like paper towels to clean with instead of rags that were shirts or socks, ice maker, and I would add the tangential luxury of good grocery stores in an easy commute with good produce and international food.
— Lesley Carhart (@hacks4pancakes) January 20, 2020
3. Real veggies.
Not the canned stuff.
Space heater, books not from the library, vegetables not from a can.
— Alan Heathcock (@alanheathcock) January 20, 2020
4. The comfort of certainty.
That must be a relief.
Certainty.
That my car will start.
That my toilet will flush.
That I can refill my meds.
That my card will be accepted.
That no one will come and take it all away.— Tony @ Setec Astronomy (@tony_bridges_el) January 20, 2020
5. The little things.
They’re pretty important once you have them.
Hand towels. Ziplock bags. Slippers. A robe. Pillow shams. An ironing board. Mini blinds and curtains. https://t.co/6cSwa6WJDl
— Jess Piper (@EnglishTeach07) January 20, 2020
6. Actual tissue paper.
Using old napkins.
this thread is rough.
actual tissue paper was a big thing. i got sick a lot and my nose was constantly scabbed from using mcdonalds napkins. used those as TP too https://t.co/9FOEnxNsUv
— ???? ☆ ??? (@arixdiamond) January 21, 2020
7. Taking care of pets.
Makes her want to cry.
Also, this is not a “thing,” per se, but having pets that you’re able to care for responsibly, spay/neuter, and tend to their veterinary needs. I think back at my childhood and it makes me want to cry.
— Martha (@marthakimes) January 20, 2020
8. Enough food…
Going hungry is no good.
Qtips. Kleenex. Hand soap right next to dish soap. Pillows. Dog treats. Matching socks without holes.
Enough food to last weeks. Shit like that is definitely a tell. The fact I keep a sleeping bag and camp pad in my car, that I bought because I can sleep in it if I need to.— Lauren Hough -BLM-ACAB (@laurenthehough) January 20, 2020
9. Mismatched stuff.
But not anymore…
Matching sheet sets on the beds and those matching pajama tops and bottoms (instead of wearing a random oversized t-shirt from an event or something as pajamas)
— DevorahBackman (@BackmanDevorah) January 20, 2020
10. The stuff you need.
And that every female should have.
Also, sanitary napkins and tampons. When I was homeless I used to use folded paper towels from public restrooms. Now I can afford to buy extras for my kids and their friends.
— Rene Denfeld (@ReneDenfeld) January 20, 2020
11. For rich folks?
Not exactly…
Stairs. I was convinced that only mansions had more than one floor.
— Stacey Filak (@staceyfilak) January 20, 2020
12. For the kids.
That’s a nice story.
My daughter gets a new, nice Halloween costume each year. Both my wife and I know what it’s like to be the kid who is ashamed of their costume and are borderline insane to make sure she doesn’t.
— KJ BLACKLIVESMATTER (@KevinJosephCMX) January 20, 2020
Money sure is strange, huh?
Now we want to hear from you!
In the comments, tell us what you used to think of as luxury items before you had any money.
We can’t wait to hear your stories!