Growing up poor shapes you in ways that are hard to explain to someone who’s never experienced it.
When you have little to nothing, every peso counts. ‘Pag lumaki kang mahirap, madalas survival mode ka. The stress of making ends meet is a daily reality for you. You learn early on that nothing comes easy and that hard work is the only way to get ahead.
Taas ang kamay kung sa tingin mo hinding-hindi makaka-relate ang mga RK (rich kids) sa mga tag-hirap moments mo as follows:
Everything is useful. In short, hoarder yarn?
Siguro yung mama mo mahilig mag-ipon ng Tupperware at garapon ng peanut butter tapos, as a result, namana mo na lang din ang ugaling ito. Growing up poor means learning to see value in everything and they might come in handy someday.
Feeling proud ‘pag naka-score ng sale.
‘Di lang ‘to pang dukha kasi may mga mayayaman din na sobra naman sa pagka-kuripot. Pero gets ‘yan, kasi masarap naman talagang makatipid sa mga bagay na matagal mo nang gusto. Plus, dagdag shopping skills ‘yan!
Simot ang pagkain sa plato — wala ni isang butil ng kanin.
Food is precious. Food is life. Kumbaga sinusulit mo lang yung grasya — malay natin, baka ito na ang huling beses na makakakain ka. At the same time, ayaw mo lang talaga mag-aksaya ng pagkain. Save mother earth, ganon!
Guilty mag-tapon ng pagkain. Basta may tira, ite-takeout o ilalagay sa ref.
As mentioned, food waste is a big no-no for those who grew up with little to nothing. Kaya kung may leftovers pa, ‘matic ite-takeout mo ‘yan para may ulam kayo bukas! O ‘di ba, ‘di na kailangan magluto ;)
The “wala pang 5 seconds” rule.
Naaalala niyo ba nung bata pa kayo tapos nabitawan mo yung isang piraso ng Piattos o candy, sasabihin niyo, “Pwede pa ‘to, wala pang 5 minutes!” This not only minimizes waste, but also makes you less squeamish about a bit of dirt.
‘Pag nasa hotel, inuuwi yung mga toiletries as souvenirs.
Ginagawang koleksyon ni Mama yung mga maliliit na bote ng shampoo, conditioner, at shower gel para ilagay sa banyo, and to remind that you guys have been on that special trip. Ganun talaga eh, hotel stays are rare treats for those who do not have much.
The “pwede pa ‘yan” mentality.
Marunong kang manahi, madiskarte ka ‘pag may sira sa bahay, at ‘di ka basta-basta nagtatapon ng gamit. ‘Wag ka lang ma-a-attach kasi kung mukha naman hindi na maisasalba, wag ka nang ma-guilty itapon na.
Kung gumastos, akala mo walang bukas…
But when you’re blessed with abundance in the short term, one-day millionaire ka naman. When you do spend, it’s often with a sense of urgency and indulgence. Lagi mo sinasabi sa sarili mo, “Minsan lang naman, eh.”
…pero magaling naman tumawad!
Bargaining is a skill you’ve perfected. Walang pride-pride pagdating sa paggastos, kasi minsan ka lang gagastos, so might as well tawaran mo na ‘til you get the best value for your money.
Kahit naka-luwag-luwag na, tipid to the bones pa rin kahit ‘di naman na kailangan.
Even when finances improve, mahirap talagang tanggalin sa sistema mo ang pagtitipid. You continue to save and scrimp out of habit for you to be always prepared for the possibility of tough times returning.
Growing up poor instills a unique set of values and habits that often persist even when financial situations improve. At least, tumatanda kang resilient (not the romanticized kind!), resourceful, and with a deep gratitude for the simple things in life.
While rich folks might never understand these struggles, those who’ve lived them carry these lessons and strengths throughout their lives.
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