When you’re middle class, you take a lot for granted. These “rules” really reveal a lot about how some people are struggling.

Nobody wants to be poor. Sadly, for lots of people, there are few opportunities to climb up the ladder and improve their circumstances.

If you grew up poor, you’ll relate to the 20 unwritten rules ahead. If not, you should be grateful for how lucky you are!

1. Use the heat of the oven to warm up the house

Heating isn’t free. If you’ve cooked something in the oven, you can open it and use that heat to warm up the house.

2. Be very careful about telling your parents your career dreams

“You want to go to college? Where are you gonna get the money for that? You’re just gonna spend the rest of your life in debt.”

3. Avoid the doctor/hospital at all costs

If you’re poor in most countries, at least you know that you can get free medical help whenever you need it. If you’re poor in America, you have to avoid medical care unless it’s 100% necessary. And then you’ll probably end up more poorer thanks to the bills.

4. Whatever you do, don’t tell other people you’re poor

Especially at school. Because other kids won’t be sympathetic. Instead, they’ll make fun of your circumstances.

5. You get judged on your address

If you reveal to others that you live in a poor area, then expect to be shunned. Because otherwise, the poor could invade the suburbs, or they’ll drag the suburbs down or something?

6. You can skip a meal if you need to save money

Lunch is an easy one to skip. You’ve just got to put up with the hunger until about 6pm. Because how important is food, anyway?

7. No extracurricular activities

Not only do you have to pay to attend them, but you also have to pay for equipment/clothing. And where does that money magically appear from? You can play in the park instead.

8. Only turn on the A/C on the hottest of hot days

A/C units use up tons of electricity. Instead of turning it on, you can wear less clothes. Mabe you can turn it on in mid-August. But even then, only use it for an hour or two.

9. Always order the cheapest thing on the menu

You can go to a diner on a special occassion. But that’s no excuse to go wild. A burger and fries is inexpensive and filling.

10. The oldest sibling is the babysitter

You better learn responsibility fast. Because school’s out and the parents are at work. The home better be orderly when they come home.

11. Really stuff the washing machine

Ok, it might not thoroughly wash the laundry. But it’ll sort of do the job. And it’ll save on water/electric bills.

12. Get the bare minimum of everything

When you’re poor, you should never fill up your gas tank all the way. Because then you might not have any cash for food. And vice versa.

13. You become more like an adult at a younger age than others

This is kind of like how the eldest sibling becomes the de-facto babysitter. When you’re in a poor family, kids get to spend less time being kids. Instead, they have to learn to contribute in any way they can to help the family sustain itself.

14. Going to the movies is a rare experience

Unless there’s a good matinee nearby. Sure, only going to the matinee is hardly the end of the world. But at school, all the kids will talk about a must-see movie long before you have the chance to watch it. And then comes social exclusion!

15. The clothing budget is super tight

If you’re the eldest sibling, then congratulations. You get “new” clothes (meaning thrift store clothes of course.) The younger siblings get your hand-me-downs.

16. Why do you need a computer when there are computers at the library?

Sure, the computer is one of the most useful devices on the planet. But they are pricey! If you do have one, it’ll be either super ancient or the lowest of the low end.

17. If you want it, you gotta earn it yourself

Of course, teaching a kid to earn something by working for it is a good practice. But poor kids have to do that for literally anything that’s nonessential. And also…

18. You give your parents your income

There’s a catch to the whole earning-cash-to-buy-what-you-want thing. Often, most of your earnings go to your parents to help out with bills. You could try to hide your earnings, but then you feel bad.

19. When you visit the house of a friend who is middle class, you’re blown away

“Is this a palace? How is there so much food in the fridge!? That’s a mountain of toys!”

20. Nap time is a hobby

You know what’s cheap? Sleeping. In your dreams, you can do what you want!

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Source: Reddit