Dear DU, you encouraged me to write my story and share. So, I did. Please read *Small Edit/Update*

[ladyVet]

55. Your posts really hit home for me.

I, too grew up in poverty, went through a lot of things like you. We were hungry and cold, wore ragged clothes, and were homeless many times. The shame of it was reinforced by people who would never let us forget.

One thing I swore was that my children would not be hungry, or wear worn out clothes, and I managed that. We sometimes didn't live in the best house, but it was better than many places I lived in, and at least they didn't look poor. There were even a couple of times when we approached lower middle-class levels. Heavenly!

It meant doing without a lot myself, including medical care, but at least I gave them a better life. And I told them all the time to study, go to college, get a good job so they could have a more normal life. Sadly, they listened, got college educations (the youngest is in school now), but with the economy the way it is, there's not much hope of them rising above what they have now.

It just goes to show that you can do everything right, and still end up poor. I used to be mad at people who had lots of credit card debt, because they could file bankruptcy and get out. And they'd still have all that stuff they bought! I didn't have lots of debt (very little, if any, for most of my life), I just didn't have any money.

Jenn, I wish you the very best, and hope that your situation changes for the better soon. I can't be much help, but I do send out positive energy for you (and you can cuss me out if you want, I understand).