Poor

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It is Monday morning, my weekly A-Z series is over, and I am left at a loss. What on EARTH am I supposed to do on Mondays now?

Well, I could always talk about money. Get excited.

I got my W-2 for 2008, and found out that I made a smaller amount of money than I thought possible to live on. I opened it up, and started laughing – but in a victorious way, because I LIVED!!! I totally survived on the most miniscule amount of money I’ve ever made – and I did it with style. I should publish my findings in a book: “How To Be Fabulous (While Utterly Destitute).” Actually, let me save you the reading, and save myself the writing, and just break it down into the basics:

1) To save on food: free sample dinners at the grocery store.
2) To save on toiletries: shower once every 3 days.
3) To save on car payments: drive a long-paid-off 19-year old car.
4) To save on entertainment: just go running instead.
5) To save on everything else: T.J. Maxx.

It’s tiring to be poor. But it’s kind of fun, right?

Right?

And now, I will spend the remainder of my day researching welfare.

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14 Comments

  1. Prosso on February 2, 2009 at 11:21 AM

    In 350-500 words, compare and contrast T.J. Maxx and Ross.

  2. giving up slowly on February 2, 2009 at 11:36 AM

    You really should write that book, Annie. The funny thing is that even though you’re “poor”, you can walk down the street, go for runs, or to work and no one would be the wiser!

  3. Emily from Seattle on February 2, 2009 at 11:52 AM

    I’d buy that book!

  4. {Jodie} on February 2, 2009 at 12:04 PM

    Aye,Being poor is kinda fun; makes you innovative.

    I think that’s a great book title, too. You’re onto something.

    And 3 cheers for TJ Maxx! {And Marshall’s and Ross}

  5. Deborah Barnett on February 2, 2009 at 12:48 PM

    I’ve spent my entire life being relatively poor… I mean by North American standards anyway… and I pretty much have it down to a science.

    We should crash a few weddings that we know are serving full course meals… and full bar of course. We could dine our every weekend in June!

  6. Annie on February 2, 2009 at 1:11 PM

    Good advice!

    It does feel good to get by.

  7. Tad on February 2, 2009 at 2:04 PM

    TJ Maxx: The Land of $15 designer shirts and $10 Ties.

    Ross is ok, I found a Whisket Decanter there for $20, but I’m much more into TJ Maxx’s selection of men’s clothes that are good enough to wear at work.

    Being poor isn’t that bad, but when you live in a city where $20,000/yr is below the poverty line, that says the city is just too dang expensive.

  8. i'mthechief on February 2, 2009 at 5:51 PM

    i love saving money! i actually don’t even use the heat in winter. last year it was because i really couldn’t afford it. this year i can (kind of), but i also know i survived last winter without it…so why spend the money now? i invested in blankets. the only hard part is getting out of the shower. that’s pretty cold…

  9. i'mthechief on February 2, 2009 at 5:51 PM

    i love saving money! i actually don’t even use the heat in winter. last year it was because i really couldn’t afford it. this year i can (kind of), but i also know i survived last winter without it…so why spend the money now? i invested in blankets. the only hard part is getting out of the shower. that’s pretty cold…

  10. Crystal on February 2, 2009 at 7:11 PM

    I just called Miss EC to share the epiphany I had a few moments ago…. we should get extra money annually from the government for being female. SERIOUSLY! How much money do we spend on tampons, bras, and makeup alone?! She agreed and urged me to read your blog for today.

    My grandpa says that it’s better to BE poor than to LOOK poor. I make decent money and still thrive on a good deal like TJ Maxx and Marshalls :) There’s no shame!

  11. Allie, Dearest on February 2, 2009 at 9:07 PM

    Welfare, ha. That made me laugh.
    I just decided that I need to to my tax return pronto and when I tried to log into Turbo Tax, it gave me a “we’re broken right now, come back later” message.

    And looking at my return, I think I didn’t pay enough in taxes last year. That means I’ll owe. So I have a rock in my gut until I know for sure how much I’ll owe and the dumb site is down.

  12. Andrea from Wisconsin... on February 2, 2009 at 10:39 PM

    Hey Annie. This is what I have learned from Laurie (Julie’s mom). It’s situational poverty girl…and you will make it out! You’ve got the faith, the talent, the support from friends and family, the hard work and determination, and you are educated. There is a lot going for you and you will have learned so much from this experience. Look at what you do have and what you’ve accomplished on literally nothing (monetarily that is). You go girl! :)
    -Andrea

  13. Anonymous on February 3, 2009 at 8:54 PM

    Agreed, Prosso. :) Ross is also an awesome place for “everything else.”

    And I definitely think you’ve got a good idea going with the book. ;)

    Little AP

  14. Anonymous on February 4, 2009 at 9:47 AM

    Were you just waiting for someone else to put the suggestion on the table? OK, I will. It seems so obvious to me. I would totally buy An Annie Parsons CD… even if it didn’t have a pretty label

    FW
    Seattle

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