Payday When you’re Poor

Sometimes it’s like being in the middle of a stampede.

Cartoon by Lambert-King

In the past I’ve written about getting paid when you are poor. It’s so much different than when you are rich, and an investment pays off. When you are poor and get paid, it’s a cause for celebration. You’ve made it to another payday! It’s like you’ve won the home version of “Survivor.” Poverty has been celebrated in various entertainment venues.

Porter Wagner captured the feeling

Wagner had a hit called, “I’m Going to Feed You Now.” Some of the lyrics went:

Well I finally got a job last Monday I hadn’t worked in a month to Sunday
And everything was gettin’ hungry but everything’s all right now

So gather round all you children gather round all you children
Gather round all you children cause I’m a gonna feed you now.

When you are a guy and poor usually those around are poor too. Porter captured the euphoria of finally getting a paycheck after a long dry spell. The song goes on to relate how even the livestock was being affected by a lack of money.

And then there’s the extended family

That sage of poverty, Fred Sanford. perfected summed up what it’s like to be poor and have a friend hit you up for money. You might recall one of Fred’s buddies was Grady. Well, Grady was running a little short and asked Fred for $50. Fred’s response was classic:

Fred: You caught me at a bad time, I’ve got it.

It’s hard to get ahead when you’re poor.

Another poor person phenomenon

Over the years I’ve worked at some places where we got paid on Fridays. Usually, just beofre lunch time. You would often see spouses pick up the checks to hustle them to the banks.

Back then checks had a little float time and you had some time to cover them. You could see the races on Friday as family members engaged in a death race to cover checks before they bounced.

Ah, the good old days.

A new month, a new begging pitch

Larry’s wife needs your help. Because of a lack of funds, she is unable to secure daycare for him. He’s at that awkward age. Too old to be self-sufficient, but too young to be in Congress. Here’s where you come in. By clapping, highlighting and leaving comments on Larry’s stories, you may help generate enough income to help hire a part-time keeper for Larry. You don’t even have to actually like Larry’s work. Medium doesn’t care.

And your claps are tax deductible.

What’s that? I’m being told they aren’t. Well, do it for Nona.