Are the poor fat?

It does cost more to eat healthy. Some people say it isn't, but I have experienced it first hand.

I don't know how much your gas bill was last quarter but nobody is taking this into account, my GAS bill was £200 for the last 3 months and I never use my heating, its all for cooking or hot water! Alot of people can't afford the utensils and stuff that you need to cook properly in the first place! A decent set of pans can run you 100 dollars EASILY - alot of poorer people have cash in small amount regularly but never accumulate enough to achieve escape velocity from their situation. its achieving escape velocity which lifts you out of your situation - not getting doled out a few dollars every so often

This really makes no sense. We're not talking about someone just starting out in life. We're talking about the average household buying food. Typically most households already have the utensils and pots and pans, etc.

Right. When I was 20, I had nothing, but I didn't have kiddos to feed either. It took many years, but I gradually built a decent kitchen, one pan/utensil at a time.

And I have *NEVER* spent $100 for anything kitchen-wise, though my husband once saved up money and bought me a stand-mixer, which is the only *fancy,expensive* item in my kitchen. We still do dishes by hand and get everything at Kmart. (and they have the best layaway for higher-priced items) Also, in the US, the working poor with kids get the EITC at income tax time. For many, that's several thousand in cash that is often spent on things like kitchen items (or mattresses, etc., basically the things that the working poor could never otherwise afford to buy)

Around here, gas is for heating. Electric heat is too expensive. (But either way, you gotta use energy, regardless of the source of it.) Also, our stove is electric, but when we lost our electricity due to being unable to pay the bill, we cooked on a propane camping stove. We also have a fire pit in the back yard, if need be.

That is very true.. A friend of mine.. 3 incomes (husband has 2 jobs), 2 kids, a dog,. living in a house that is really too small for them, is currently finding herself buying hot dogs, pasta and ramen because of all the furlough days her husband was forced to take for both jobs, since both his jobs are government. They are considered the working poor despite her masters degree and him having 2 jobs.. It's really sad when a family with that level of education and that many jobs are having their electricity turned off and cancelling their phones, just to keep their mortgage paid and their kids fed. Oh.. and they didn't get a tax refund or that earned income credit, they owe, despite claiming 0 at all the jobs. It's really sad.

I was 20, with a kid. It seems we are talking about things from a completely different view point. It's all relative to experience, where you live and what is available to you. You can have the whole "i pulled myself out of it, so you should be able to" mentality as long as you recognize that it's not easy, it's not the same for everyone and it's not always as easy as.. go buy chicken at the grocery store and cook it. Esp when you have other priorities that take presence over what ends up on your plate.

I totally agree with the escape velocity idea mentioned above. I also agree that people often squander their tax returns, if they get one, on things others deem frivolous. That's not the case always, but it does happen.

I think I'm gonna buy that 5lb bag of potatoes for $1.69 deal next time I see it. I had potatoes for lunch twice this week and they were great! Easy to nuke in the microwave in the morning and pack for work, and since I'm pretty much "meh" about potatoes they won't disappear during the week or weekend unless I'm packing a lunch. I've always tended not to buy potatoes since they'd go bad due to being ignored but you guys have inspired me! Here goes nothing :laugh:

:drinker:

Just be careful on storing them. Sometimes, I have found 10 lb bags for $2.49. You gotta buy it when it's a good deal like that and just figure out how to store it. I love potatoes, and a little goes a long way. Plus they are versatile. They can be a side or the main dish.

It's easy to be fat when someone else pays for your groceries!

Just sayin!

http://benswann.com/welfare-recipients-in-new-york-can-now-earn-more-than-teachers/

http://freepatriot.org/2013/11/18/listen-welfare-mom-speaks-candidly-about-why-she-will-never-work-and-still-collect-a-check/

One story about a study published by the CATO Institute and one story from FreePatriot.org. Not exactly what I would call bastions of objectivity.

I don't personally have a huge shopping budget, and there's no way I could afford to buy the produce to eat freshly cooked meals every day. Not a chance. It's just way too expensive and I cannot justify it.

As a result I tend to buy a lot of micro meals, but I only buy meals that suit my calorie budget too. When you can pay as little as £1 for a meal, its a lot more pocket friendly for those of us on a budget.

So yeah, imo..just because you are poor doesnt mean you HAVE to be overwight. I understand people might not be able to afford a home cooked balanced meal every day and its easier sometimes just to buy whatever you are able to. For me it's still about thinking about what you are eating but within your budget.