How do poor people afford such nice things?

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In general, how do many families who don't make much, afford many items. In Michigan here, I know plenty of families, who probably make only around 40k, who go to Florida for Spring Break. Their kids have nice clothes and get new shoes occasionally. They all have their iphones as well, and get new ski apparel yearly. Since I'm assuming their parents don't own their house, much of their income must go towards paying for their house.So, after spending a ton on food, gas, iphone bills, clothes, car insurance, gas, bills, etc, how do they still have money for vacations and fun stuff as well. Do the parents just use up all the money they make, and never put anything away for savings? I know my dad makes more, yet he doesn't buy me and my siblings all this stuff, although we do go to private schools. I was just wondering, since if my dad can hardly afford extra items for me, how can they, who make a substantial amount less.

Well I'm not sure really but they usually buy off brands and probably use sites like swag bucks:

Swagbucks.com/refer/Marcum6288

They get free stuff for just searching the web…

40k is poor? I was thinking less than 18k per year was poor.

Hey us poor folks know how to be thrifty.
Coupons, clearance… It all adds up. You can save alot of money by shopping thrifty. I have gotten name brand clothes for my daughter from the mall for very cheap. I paid 7$ for a 40$ outfit. Or they get FoodStamps or other assistance.

Well, the people you describe have a low income and it may look like they have nice things, and they might, but they might of got them for a cheaper price, from a cheaper store. When these people go on vacation, they probably stay in cr***y hotels, and they probably don't have many luxuries like eating out. They also could be getting perks like these from their parents jobs. The stuff they have could be donated to them. Honestly babe, I would't worry, if these people make you feel uncomfortable about your economic status, just remember that those peopele can't afford much and are probably in dept up to their eyeballs.gud luk!

Well, In my personal opinion is that every parents want to get their kids better things. I think your parents also want to do that but may be they have some some problem and they don't want to knowing you. If your Daddy save money for future it is off course for you and your siblings. Don't misunderstand them.

My closest friend is from Michigan and has explained this to me before actually. Michigan has one of the best welfare systems in the country (or had, many people are still on their old system). People on the old system get welfare, social security, and food stamps. On top of that they either get free or reduced housing which lowers their costs significantly. So while the working class has to scrimp by to pay their bills and eat, the people on the welfare system have virtually no costs of living and several hundred dollars a month spending money.

He once told me the way you can tell who is "poor" and who is middle class is to look at their clothes and possessions. If they have an iPhone and really nice clothes, they're on welfare.
So basically, the people who are lazy and on welfare live better than full time middle class working people.

Almost sickening isn't it?

Ever consider that your private school IS your extra stuff? Private schools are expensive. Most of them cost anywhere from several thousand to tens of thousands a semester. That means your dad is paying probably drastically more for your private school than what your friends are paying for a vaca to florida in a cheap hotel and an iphone that you can get for free with a contract. Most of the clothing and shoes are probably knock offs or fakes. And yes, some of your friends parents are probably living off of credit and not putting anything into savings.