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Comment by avenger123 | Hacker News Reader

Not you.

Being poor is not fun. Period. Can you imagine living on $20K, $30K, $40K, a year? Depending on where you are in the US that might just cover your living costs. There is a large segment of the population that will not get degrees, not work in jobs that are considered "careers".

In any demographic class there are people that abuse the system, but I wouldn't consider the poor in that category. These people are as or more hard working than the middle class.

Also, the government giving disability and welfare doesn't mean they are bringing in $100K a year in benefits. The government provides enough to live on.

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They article states it's $13k/year in cash. Not sure what the value of the medical benefits, but $13k/year would be pretty miserable on a family. I know someone who subsists basically on minimum wage and made just about $12k last year, he's still pretty young and healthy and is looking for a job that's better (has a degree), but he's spent a significant amount of time having to live with family/friends to get by. He's always on the lookout for $.99 taco night, but I think really at some point he'd like to get past that phase of life.

For a family or working person, sure. For an individual who no longer has to work or live in a city, $13K/yr is a windfall. One could live like a king, experiencing great nature with all the time freed up, and have money left over.

For medical, it's a safe bet that many of those on disability go to the emergency room and never pay a dime.

>Can you imagine living on $20K, $30K, $40K, a year?

Yes, because I have done it every year for the past decade. Having lived in several large metropolitan areas, I don't consider myself poor or even struggling.

I'm a grad student, so I make about $30,000 a year.

I didn't feel poor until I had a bicycle accident and saw the hospital bill. If the insurance hadn't covered it, it would have taken me years to climb out of that hole of debt.

> Can you imagine living on $20K, $30K, $40K, a year?

Where do you live that $30-40K a year is poor? The median personal income in the US is under $33,000 a year for employed workers, and still under $40k if you exclude part-time and seasonal workers (which is think is abusing the statistic).[0]

My father raised me and took care of my mother on barely $30k a year all throughout high school. It's not impossible to live on that or less, nor is it especially hard if people would stop acting like they deserve a new car, a big house and the latest toys.

[0] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_income_in_the_United_S...

The millionaire that compares themselves to the multi-millionaire feels poor. Someone making $90K could feel poor beside the person bringing home $200K a year.

Feeling poor is a mindset. Having a limited income is a reality. I use those numbers as ranges. You are right that you can live on a low income if you manage wants (and being in a low-cost area will definitely help).

The problem with low income is that there is hardly any breathing room. Medical, car or other types of unexpected expenses can make it difficult.

People that make a good income can afford to be more stupid with their money. Being stupid with money when the income is low is just asking for real trouble.

I would much rather get $20K a year for life and have all day every day to do what I want, than have to work to earn $100K a year. I could live on $20K/yr easy. My main cost would be transportation to hiking trails. But I could live near the trailheads since I wouldn't have to live in a city.

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