Have you ever known anyone who was truly destitute and living in total poverty? I'm not so much talking about people who were having a difficult month or year and eventually would bounce back, but rather someone who was economically poor and living it.

Yeah, I have known a few. And a small sample of that number have been in trouble trying to make ends meet in terrible ways.

Yes. A handful, actually. Some I'm related to.

Yes, several.

I know a man who is homeless by choice, and listening to him talk about how he gets by (the tools he uses, the compromises he makes) is really interesting. For example, if he has money he tries to avoid spending it on food; he would rather scrounge or dumpster-dive for food and keep the money for other necessities. Occasionally, if he has enough money to "squander", he will rent a cheap motel room for a night. He does not drink, and we don't believe he does drugs. He will do odd jobs for money. But, like I said, this is how he chooses to live.

I'll tell you what, there is an alarming amount of family on my husband's side who are broke and / or unemployed. Some of them are in their situation through their own doing.

I can't say that I do.

I've known some people who got behind on their bills but not homeless or destitute.

When I was a kid I knew a couple of families that were totally destitute, I don't even know how they survived. I remember I was friendly with one of the boys and he would come to my house and my Mama would feed him.

Of course in the past I have known people like that. I have to say though that even people who are on welfare here in Canada live better than the poor I knew in the US. Most even have cell phones something I really don't feel I could afford even if i wanted one.

Yep.

In my time, I've known many people who were....even dated a few....but I can't say that I am close to anyone who can be classed as "poverty-stricken" right now.