re: What''s the poorest you've been?

Possibly right now for me having just turned 44 last week, but also happier than I’ve ever been. Went through bachelors, masters, and doctorate degrees all with scholarships/assistantships. Found an adjunct position while I was finishing my dissertation and then a tenure track job 2 years later. Married, had a brand new house, wife also working full time. Had our daughter in 2008, and in the same year I was denied tenure (I take full responsibility for this) and she (school counselor) was pink slipped right before getting tenure (basically a county-wide decision, not her fault). Went quickly from 2 full time salaries and no kids to 1/2 a salary with a small toddler. Lots of other poor decisions and some bad luck in there made it worse. Went into kidney failure in December 2015, and within the next year and a half had to quit all my work, got divorced, walked away from my house, and found myself living back in NOLA in my old room in my Dad’s house on disability, dailyzing every night, on massive amounts of anti-depressants, a long way from my 8 year old daughter who I love more than life, and completely lost. 2017 was the absolute hardest year. Had to look myself very hard in the face and accept responsibility for my life. In June 2018, I was blessed with a transplant and now am in terrific health and grateful for every day. Luckily my student loans were excused, but I have a long road ahead to even get out of debt. However I’ve never cared less about it. Still on disability, will end in June, but I’m looking for part time work and have an opportunity to move next month and a friend that will support me for a bit. I can’t afford much but I find that I don’t need much anymore. I live for the simple blessings we have, especially the relationships with people I love. I’m going to get to see my daughter grow up now. I work hard on my skills and trust that the rest will work out.

My parents divorced when I was too young to remember it. The majority of my family has always been "middle class poor". I guess it's so ingrained in me that I would feel poor if I had $10 million in the bank.

Yeah there’s a lot of blue bloods that post here

Move to India for a month

The day I finished grad school at LSU. I had long since spent my last dollar in tuition and rent in Baton Rouge. We had zero cash.

In many ways, I actually miss that time even though it took us a year or two to really get on our feet. I definitely miss Memphis.

We were so proud of the life we carved out there. My girlfriend (now my wife) and I had our first apartment together. We were both living in a strange new place together. We got married (small, affordable wedding) there and bought our first house in Collierville.

1973 - took a job that transferred me out of Louisiana. I was making $3.75/ hour, living in a $115/month apartment and a $50/moth car note. Did that 6 months before transferring back to Louisiana. As I look back on it, it was 30 years before I had that level happiness again. If I knew then what I know now, I would have NEVER come back to LA. But, retired life is good now, not complaining.

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What''s the poorest you've been?

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When I had $160 to furnish an unfurnished $110/mo apartment as I got married.

I was gonna lie and laugh at people being poor but everyone knows I’m a windshield guy, so yea, I’m still poor. I’ve been so poor I couldn’t even pay attention

ETA: I would never truly laugh at someone being poor

Two of the houses I grew up in during Kindergarten through 2nd grade had concrete floors. Very poor areas in Monroe and Shreveport. Never thought I was poor but had a hard time understanding at 5 years of age why I could not have the LSU helmet on the top shelf at Department store.(I would go bonkers every time I saw it and it did me no good) Never saw background as a excuse. Barely graduated high school. Finally discovered what the word "GOAL" meant and forged ahead from there. Anyway I received an acceptance letter into LSU law school and turned it down. CEO now with masters degree. Living the dream. Immigrants are some of the most successful folks right now because they are grateful for America and work hard. Many of us white folk are getting fatter and lazier and more and more "ungrateful".

3X5 Index cards in my shoes to cover the holes in the soles when I was child