How I Pay Rent As A Poor Person

Overdraft Protection!

Do you know how I pay rent as a poor person?

Overdraft protection.

0/10. Do not recommend.

My rent is $1235. I have two accounts with overdraft protection of $500 each. If I can cover the $235 difference, then rent is kinda paid.

It costs me $40 in overdraft fees but it buys me a couple of extra weeks to scrape the money together.

This is the Cycle of Suck I’m in every month.

Poor people are resourceful as hell, we have to be if we want to survive.

One of my past posts about tangibly supporting Black women had over 200 likes/comments. If everyone who reacted had supported me with $10, I could have easily paid rent.

I’m not here to guilt anyone. Guilt is not useful.

My intention is to bring awareness to plight of improvised people by sharing my own lived experiences. And then, I want you to be inspired to take action. The majority of society has no idea what people in poverty go through in our efforts meet our basic needs.

- Do you have money for food?
- Do you know how your rent will be paid?
- Do you put gas in your car without having to count spare change?

I don’t, and I’m not alone.

A few months ago I was picking up a food delivery from Taco Bell. Thanks to corporate greed and low wages, they were short staffed and service was delayed.

15 minutes passed and I was annoyed. (Not at the employees, but the trash ass systems.) I’m not an impatient person but as a delivery driver, they don’t pay me to wait. Waiting costs me money.

But whatever, I had already invested the time and I decided to stay. A few moments later, an unhoused man came in. He was an elder. He was tired and I could feel his weariness.

He asked if I could tell him how much a taco was because he couldn’t see the menu. I told him it was $1.69.

“I think I have enough for one” he said as he slowly counted the change in his hand.

We are in the bad place.

“Sir, would you like more than one?” I gently asked. He teared up at the incredibly meager offer and quickly accepted.

I told the cashier to ring up 3 and pulled out my debit card. Before I could pay, another customer put a few bucks on the counter to help. There was still $1 due. I went to swipe my card but a woman behind me said “no sis, don’t use your card for such a small amount. I got you” and she handed the cashier a one dollar bill.

This is collective Community Care.

When I talk about contributing to the wellness of others, this is what I mean.

I’m not asking you to empty your savings account. I’m asking you to care about others and contribute $5 or $10 to a person who needs it when you’re able to.

You don’t have to do it all - just do what you can.

Today I invite you to invest in the wellness of a person in your community who could use support. If you don’t know of anyone personally (in this economy?) then type in #mutualaid on any platform (I recommend Twitter) and see what comes up.

We’re out here if you choose to see us.

#PovertySucks