Being poor is knowing exactly how much everything costs.

I was forwarded this piece from the blog of a writer named John Scalzi. It is an unusually successful effort at getting readers to empathize with the life of the poor. For example:

"Being poor is knowing exactly how much everything costs.

Being poor is getting angry at your kids for asking for all the crap they see on TV.

Being poor is hoping your kids don't have a growth spurt.

Being poor is feeling the glued soles tear off your supermarket shoes when you run around the playground.

Being poor is people angry at you just for walking around in the mall.

Being poor is the police busting into the apartment right next to yours.

Being poor is crying when you drop the mac and cheese on the floor.

Being poor is a six-hour wait in an emergency room with a sick child asleep on your lap.

Being poor is picking the 10 cent ramen instead of the 12 cent ramen because that's two extra packages for every dollar.

Being poor is a box of crayons and a $1 coloring book from a community center Santa.

Being poor is hoping the register lady will spot you the dime.

Being poor is making sure you don't spill on the couch, just in case you have to give it back before the lease is up.

Being poor is a $200 paycheck advance from a company that takes $250 when the paycheck comes in.

Being poor is people who have never been poor wondering why you choose to be so.

Being poor is knowing how hard it is to stop being poor."

I just think it's a really amazing piece. I can't say I know it's accurate from being poor but it certainly opens your mind to issues that are easy to ignore.

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