Being poor is expensive

[clutchdust]

For the last few months I've been doing some auto work here and there to try and bring in some cash. I have been meeting some interesting characters while at it. I'm meeting a lot of people that are broke, and a lot of people who are poor. I consider them to be two different things. My view is that broke means you're just between money. I'm broke right now. I had money in the past and I'll have money in the future. I'm just in between money right now. Poor is a state of mind. Generally speaking, poor people will always be poor because they've always been poor and they always think poor.
For example, a couple days ago a lady called me because her battery was dead and she needed a jump. I go over and check things out. Battery only has 8.5v and there is a broken wire, probably from the alternator, to the positive terminal. I fix the wire, jump the car and check the volts. Now it's reading 15v so I suspect the battery. I tell her she needs to take it by a parts store and have them check the battery and replace it. She tells me she's going right over there. I charge her $40 and off I go.
A few hours later I get a call from her again, she needs another jump start. Since I was just a couple miles down the road I jump start the car and charge her $20.
Next day, I get another call. Guess who. So I go back over there and charge her another $40 to jump start the car again. I tell her to drive directly to the parts store and get the battery changed.
So in the span of two days this woman spent more than the cost of the battery just to have me come jump start the car, and she still had to replace the battery.
Poor is a state of mind.

[Nox]

Not poor. Lazy.

[DropTheTop]

She doesn't sound poor at all - just stupid.

[clutchdust]

I think you guys are missing that both those qualities are inherent factors in poverty.

[Bucwheat]

I agree

[sxeC6]

You're missing the signs. She digs ya and wants a relationship, that's why she keeps calling.

[Omega Man]

Originally Posted by Nox

Not poor. Lazy.

+ Stupid.


The "poor" are that way because they are stupid. Stupid decision making. Stupid life choices.


I have no sympathy for the people who are too stupid to figure out that what they are doing is not working.

[mrvette]

On the other hand I get this call yesterday from my squeeky voiced daughter, and so she needs help with changing her serp belt on her Subaru 4wd ....

I know nothing of the car, so I just tell her in general, and that she will need a 1/2 or maybe 3/8 ratchet to release the tensioner pulley which should be spring loaded, and hopefully not screwed down in place...

so she calls back a couple times, we figger it out over the phone, she sends me a pix.....her hand all black from the success and grin, car is fine.....

same thing last winter, tire place wanted to sell her FOUR NEW TIRES, for a nail in one, I told her how to plug a tire, cut it off smooth, and test for pressures/leaks.....saved her 400 bux, spent 20 at Auto Zone, IF that....but she learned something....

[Joecooool]

Originally Posted by Omega Man

+ Stupid.


The "poor" are that way because they are stupid. Stupid decision making. Stupid life choices.


I have no sympathy for the people who are too stupid to figure out that what they are doing is not working.

I agree that many of the poor have low IQ's. But is that really their fault?

[Mike Mercury]

Originally Posted by Joecooool

I agree that many of the poor have low IQ's. But is that really their fault?

"stupid" doesn't mean low ability; it refers to capable people that live irresponsibly... making dumb life decisions.

Yes; that is their fault.

[VITE1]

Originally Posted by Joecooool

I agree that many of the poor have low IQ's. But is that really their fault?

And then people want to pay them to have more kids. Can you beleive that?

[polarbear]

Originally Posted by clutchdust

I think you guys are missing that both those qualities are inherent factors in poverty.

Forum's also missing that some smart people can be poor, and some low
IQ people can be broke (in between money).

[CP]

Originally Posted by sxeC6

You're missing the signs. She digs ya and wants a relationship, that's why she keeps calling.

Pics of battery hound??

[LATB]

Originally Posted by Joecooool

I agree that many of the poor have low IQ's. But is that really their fault?

Originally Posted by Mike Mercury

"stupid" doesn't mean low ability; it refers to capable people that live irresponsibly... making dumb life decisions.

Yes; that is their fault.

this^^^

[TabuIsMe]

Originally Posted by sxeC6

You're missing the signs. She digs ya and wants a relationship, that's why she keeps calling.

Obviously!!

[BADRACR1]

Originally Posted by mrvette

so she calls back a couple times, we figger it out over the phone, she sends me a pix.....her hand all black from the success and grin, car is fine..

A few years back my daughter calls me about brakes on a Buick she had. I tell her GM front brakes are easy, I can tell her then-husband how to fix it over the phone. I walk her through the process, and she calls back a while later with a question. While talking she says something to the effect of "I tried to get it to ..." and I say "Wait. What do you mean YOU tried?" She told me she was replacing the brakes! I asked where her pos hubby was, and she replied sitting on the couch playing video games, but she had to get the var fixed so he could work that night. I was furious! I got her through it, and she was very proud she did the job herself. I told her I'd be so embarrassed if I was him and had to tell people my wife fixed the car so I could go to work.

He let one car sit in the drive for three days until his uncle came to fix it for him. It had a flat!

She finally divorced that scum. I gave her the money for the lawyer!

[mrvette]

Originally Posted by Joecooool

I agree that many of the poor have low IQ's. But is that really their fault?

When they stamp out 8x the same thing?? YES....there ARE alternatives, this is NOT 1800's and farming community any more....

[jeff w]

I'm poor, broke, and stupid

[Kevin_73]

Originally Posted by jeff w

I'm poor, broke, and stupid

Trifecta!

[mrvette]

Originally Posted by BADRACR1

A few years back my daughter calls me about brakes on a Buick she had. I tell her GM front brakes are easy, I can tell her then-husband how to fix it over the phone. I walk her through the process, and she calls back a while later with a question. While talking she says something to the effect of "I tried to get it to ..." and I say "Wait. What do you mean YOU tried?" She told me she was replacing the brakes! I asked where her pos hubby was, and she replied sitting on the couch playing video games, but she had to get the var fixed so he could work that night. I was furious! I got her through it, and she was very proud she did the job herself. I told her I'd be so embarrassed if I was him and had to tell people my wife fixed the car so I could go to work.

He let one car sit in the drive for three days until his uncle came to fix it for him. It had a flat!

She finally divorced that scum. I gave her the money for the lawyer!

Same shituation.....she not saying a thing, and her brother not saying a thing either....but on her third finger left hand is a engagement ring with wedding band I think, several pix, including the one with grease on it....facebook pix but I think lo of him, and so they don't want me to know....but I smell a rat....

oh well, her loss.....he liberal as shit too boot....

but he can't even turn a simple wrench?? age 30+ she is 29.....

so that is a classic example of why I give up on the entire country....