What is Poverty? (85)
After graduating from college on the 7 year plan, work, school, work, school, etc. I had a 9 year old pickup I had bought used, $1,200 in the bank and no debt. I made a pledge to myself at that time that I would never again subject my body to Ramen noodles again. Can't believe I ate those things.
Having a degree in Biology was great, but construction paid much better. However, I have used my degree quite extensively in my garden.
The first objective was to buy a plot of land and then build my own house. So far, I have only done what I could pay cash for and I still have no debt. The pickup is now 37 years old and actually still runs. I buy older used cars to drive to work and run them till they quit. Doesn't impress the ladies, but it works. The house is heated with wood and the water heated with solar, all off grid. Saves about $200/month as compared to being on grid. With the garden produce, I can get by spending about $40/month on groceries. Out of pocket for the garden, chickens, pigs and cow is about $2,000/year, plus it saves a gym membership.
Bottom line is that I can live comfortably on an annual income of about $30,000 gross per year. That means I can work 32 hours per week, still get health insurance and things are not a big sweat.
As a note, when my son was in college I worked 6 8 hour days per week while he was in school so that he would not have a debt when he finished school. He still worked weekends, but had the time to concentrate on school during the week.
So,is that rich or poor.
Money wise I am at or below the poverty level, but I live comfortably and enjoy my hobbies.
According to government statistics, the average person getting government services on the dole receives benefits with a cost to the government of $43,680. Why?
Last spring we worked with parks and rec to put together an area where the so called poor families could have garden plots to grow veg at no charge. When we advertised in the local newspaper and local access channel that these plots were available to low income families, nobody showed up to take advantage of it. Yet, those same families are always at the front of the line for handouts. Then they have the guts to ask me for donations to the food pantry.
This is not to say that there are not deserving people, there are and I give to them, but many are just out for a free ride on someone else's dime.
Can we ever sort that out?
Having a degree in Biology was great, but construction paid much better. However, I have used my degree quite extensively in my garden.
The first objective was to buy a plot of land and then build my own house. So far, I have only done what I could pay cash for and I still have no debt. The pickup is now 37 years old and actually still runs. I buy older used cars to drive to work and run them till they quit. Doesn't impress the ladies, but it works. The house is heated with wood and the water heated with solar, all off grid. Saves about $200/month as compared to being on grid. With the garden produce, I can get by spending about $40/month on groceries. Out of pocket for the garden, chickens, pigs and cow is about $2,000/year, plus it saves a gym membership.
Bottom line is that I can live comfortably on an annual income of about $30,000 gross per year. That means I can work 32 hours per week, still get health insurance and things are not a big sweat.
As a note, when my son was in college I worked 6 8 hour days per week while he was in school so that he would not have a debt when he finished school. He still worked weekends, but had the time to concentrate on school during the week.
So,is that rich or poor.
Money wise I am at or below the poverty level, but I live comfortably and enjoy my hobbies.
According to government statistics, the average person getting government services on the dole receives benefits with a cost to the government of $43,680. Why?
Last spring we worked with parks and rec to put together an area where the so called poor families could have garden plots to grow veg at no charge. When we advertised in the local newspaper and local access channel that these plots were available to low income families, nobody showed up to take advantage of it. Yet, those same families are always at the front of the line for handouts. Then they have the guts to ask me for donations to the food pantry.
This is not to say that there are not deserving people, there are and I give to them, but many are just out for a free ride on someone else's dime.
Can we ever sort that out?
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toranoga: What exactly is the definition of poverty? Is the definition the same in all countries, or does it vary from country to country? Is it based on financial wealth, or degree of comfort? Who determines whether or not a person is living in poverty?
In our country, if you have a roof over your head, clothes to wear and a meal everyday..you are Not considered poor
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serena123: In our country, if you have a roof over your head, clothes to wear and a meal everyday..you are Not considered poor
Well you can be poor in so many ways....money wise..love wise..socially wise and so on...------ This thread is Archived ------
Poverty is either "absolute" (meaning luck of basic things,
food,clothing,shelter)or
"relative" (social and economic statue,compare to
the rest of society)
food,clothing,shelter)or
"relative" (social and economic statue,compare to
the rest of society)
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If you arrive at a situation where you cannot afford to shop at LIDL then you are definitely in poverty.
Having to survive through debt and not having any money to save are the trappings of being poor. In the first world being poor is one missed paycheck away from poverty.
Having to survive through debt and not having any money to save are the trappings of being poor. In the first world being poor is one missed paycheck away from poverty.
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lifeisadream: Poverty is mostly referreed to the lack of material things, including the basics like: food, home, internet, etc but "quality of life" is not considered.
As a child my parents had not much (the basics were covered)but we had a wonderful happy life full of great memories.
As a child my parents had not much (the basics were covered)but we had a wonderful happy life full of great memories.
Poverty is not the lack of the internet, some people in Britain still have to rely on food banks for food and are homeless, you middle class Mexicans live off the backs of the poor, you don't even understand poverty let alone empathise with it.
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serena123: In our country, if you have a roof over your head, clothes to wear and a meal everyday..you are Not considered poor
Even in a "tin shed"?
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chris27292729: Even in a "tin shed"?
living in a tin shed, is better then booking a 5 star hotel in i.o.s island...which is an upturned rowing boat on the beach
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TheRedSquirrel87: If you arrive at a situation where you cannot afford to shop at LIDL then you are definitely in poverty.
Having to survive through debt and not having any money to save are the trappings of being poor. In the first world being poor is one missed paycheck away from poverty.
Having to survive through debt and not having any money to save are the trappings of being poor. In the first world being poor is one missed paycheck away from poverty.
Extreme poverty here is curtailed through your neighbours, friends, foodbanks, the social safety nets and the healthcare system. Extreme poverty is having none of these to fall back on and going without the food, heating, medicine and shelter that you need.
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truheart1941: living in a tin shed, is better then booking a 5 star hotel in i.o.s island...which is an upturned rowing boat on the beach
No 5 star hotels on IOS island.
Only from 6 star onwards.
For you if you ask,i'll find an affordable one, by the sea front.
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Poverty is using the butter, when you know there are toast crumbs in it.
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truheart1941: living in a tin shed, is better then booking a 5 star hotel in i.o.s island...which is an upturned rowing boat on the beach
i understand.
Am sure you have never seen a "shanty town" or
by the same name a "squatter town".
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having no money in your pocket is poverty... lol
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Pjvalerian: having no money in your pocket is poverty... lol
I don't carry money in my pockets.
Its in the bank.
Am poor????
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sevenseas: Well you can be poor in so many ways....money wise..love wise..socially wise and so on...
Very wise!
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toranoga: What exactly is the definition of poverty? Is the definition the same in all countries, or does it vary from country to country? Is it based on financial wealth, or degree of comfort? Who determines whether or not a person is living in poverty?
Is poverty exclusive to "poor" countries (like mine)?
Unfortunately no, and poverty is everywhere, even in the most developed countries.
UK has 2.3m children living in poverty, government says
If the developed people can not end poverty what is the hope for underdeveloped countries?
Why there is poverty?
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The UK and many European countries have allotment gardens that are available to the general population. Watch The Horticultural Channel on youtube. Yes there are waiting lists in areas, but it does offer the opportunity to grow some of your own food.
In England, this have been around since approximately the late 1700s or early 1800s.
Is this a viable option to alleviate some hunger and poverty?
In England, this have been around since approximately the late 1700s or early 1800s.
Is this a viable option to alleviate some hunger and poverty?
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toranoga: What exactly is the definition of poverty? Is the definition the same in all countries, or does it vary from country to country? Is it based on financial wealth, or degree of comfort? Who determines whether or not a person is living in poverty?
Here is a snippet based om 2013. It is only pertaining to the USA.
====================================================================
Lower Middle Class
The lower middle class consists of mostly blue-collar workers who make just enough to distinguish themselves from the poor or lower class. The average income for lower middle-class households is $29,204 as of September 2012, compared with the lower-class average of $23,550 for a family of four. Workers who fall into the lower middle-class category are typically uneducated and work for hourly wages rather than in salaried positions. In Alaska and Hawaii the poverty line is adjusted upward to $29,440 and $27,090, respectively, in consideration for the higher cost of living.
Middle Middle Class
The middle middle class averages $49,842 in income per year, per household. Most of the middle middle class have college degrees and work in white-collar jobs or other professional positions. Many do not reach management or top level positions due in part to a lack of advanced degrees. Overall, the range of incomes that fit into the middle middle-class category are $32,500 to $60,000 (as of 2012).
Upper Middle Class
At the top end of the middle-class spectrum are the upper middle class. Upper middle-class households earn $60,000 to $150,000 per year with a nationwide average of $80,080. Upper middle-class workers tend to work in white-collar management or executive positions and hold the advanced degrees that allow them to be considered for such work. Although still considered middle class, the higher end of the upper middle-class worker is actually in the top 33 percent of all Americans when it comes to wealth.
Basis
The median income for all American households is $50,054 (as of 2013). The middle class is based on this number and how far above and below it a family can exist without reaching poverty or the next level of success. Often the 20 percent existing at the mathematical center of the country's earners are where the middle class starts, and it is built outward from there using factors like housing type and cost of living.
As for other Countries I do not see a resource.
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...I,m fighting onthe behalf of our M.Ps.....in this country...who have to live on only £68.000. pounds a year....and then having to claim exspence,s....and having to work a 10 hour week....help your M.P
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Hard times we had when my father got sick, he lost his sight because of diabetes and he could not work anymore. My brothers and I were teenagers at that time and we had to work to help our home and to go to school. We did help each other.
What about you Sophie?