Alicia Kline
A
thread 1/5
Growing up, did your parents share how much money they made with you? Or how much certain expenses like rent/mortgage, car loans, or groceries cost each month?
08:42 PM - May 21, 2023
Avatar Avatar Avatar
0
32
8
Alicia Kline
A
thread 2/5
I have a theory that those on both extremes of the class spectrum had a better idea of what was going on financially in their own household.
08:44 PM - May 21, 2023
1
4
Alicia Kline
A
thread 3/5
For example, it would be hard/impossible to keep homelessness or food insecurity completely hidden from your children.
08:46 PM - May 21, 2023
2
3
Alicia Kline
A
thread 4/5
And those that grew up very wealthy likely knew it, too.
08:47 PM - May 21, 2023
1
3
Alicia Kline
A
thread 5/5
Which leaves those in the "middle class", however you would define it. I think those kids were mostly blissfully unaware of what their parents' true budget situation was.
08:50 PM - May 21, 2023
0
5
Socio-gen
A
My mom never shared exactly what her income was but gave rough percentages -- 40-60% went to rent/utilities, 25-30% to groceries, 15-20% to auto expenses.

We didn't know exactly how poor we were, but we knew shut-off notices, hiding from the landlord, & "potato soup" (the day before payday meal).
In response to Alicia Kline.
09:56 PM - May 21, 2023
1
3
Alicia Kline
A
In response to Socio-gen.
I like the percentage idea.

I learned to answer the phone and lie that my mom wasn't there unless it was someone that I knew. I became the gatekeeper so that she wouldn't have to talk to the bill collectors.
10:07 PM - May 21, 2023
1
3
Socio-gen
A
In response to Alicia Kline.
Same. Most debt collectors wouldn't yell at kids so we'd lie and take a message. She didn't tell us to, but we knew they upset her. I can't count how many times I'd wake up at night and see her sitting at the table with pen and paper trying to reconfigure the budget to find even five extra dollars.
10:15 PM - May 21, 2023
1
1

 

{{ notificationModalContent }} {{ promptModalMessage }}