A life of poverty is a difficult and psychologically draining experience.
While no one wants to be poor, many people never rise above poverty
because there are many barriers to achieving a life of financial
security, especially during tough economic times. There is no fail-safe
or guaranteed strategy for escaping from poverty, but one thing is for
certain: if you don't try, you won't succeed. Here are some strategies
that may help you deal with, and ultimately move beyond, a life of
poverty.
Method 1 of 4: Saving Money
1
Create a budget. One of the best ways to make sure
you are getting everything you can out of the money you have is to
create budget. By keeping track of how much money you are bringing in
and what you are spending it on, you can eliminate the uncertainty that
comes with not knowing if you can afford something, and also identify
areas where you can cut costs.
Keep records of every dollar you earn and spend.
Classify your expenditures as fixed essentials (things you need and
will always cost about the same amount, like your phone bill), variable
essentials (things you need but which vary in cost from month to month,
such as gas or food), and non-essentials (things you want but don't
necessarily need).
There are many ways to keep track of your budget. While numerous
computer programs and smartphone apps exist that can make this process
simple, an ordinary Excel spreadsheet will also work fine, as will an
old-fashioned ledger book or ordinary lined paper.
2
Cut routine expenses. Once you've created a budget,
it's easier to identify areas where you might be able to cut back on
spending. Identify non-essential expenditures in your budget, and think
about ways to make them cheaper or if you might be able to eliminate
some of them altogether. Here are a few suggestions:
You can spend less on utilities if you use less energy. Make sure to
turn off all appliances when not in use, and unplug them when they
won't be used for an extended period of time. Every degree you reduce
your thermostat will also save you between one and three percent on your
heating bill.
The average person spends about $600 dollars a year on phone
service. Especially if you are paying more than that, you may want to
look into finding a less expensive plan.
If you subscribe to cable television, consider going without for a
while. Many of the shows you're watching are probably available for free
on-line.
Drive less, if you can. If you live somewhere with a decent public
transportation system, you'll probably find that it's cheaper than gas
and parking. You can also save thousands of dollars a year by carpooling.
3
Reduce your medical costs. With the cost of medical
treatment increasing all the time, anything you can do to reduce your
bills in this area without sacrificing your health is a good idea.
Switch to generics. Most generic medications do exactly the same
thing as the name brand versions, but at a fraction of the cost.
Visit in-store pharmacy clinics. For minor ailments, this can be a
cheaper alternative to a regular doctor, especially if you don't have
insurance.
Get a free checkup at your local dental school. Many dental schools
will give you a free checkup and cleaning as a way to train their
students.
4
Reduce your housing costs. You can spend less on
housing by moving to a smaller house or apartment, renting out any spare
rooms you have (if you own your house), or getting a roommate.
Depending on where you live, you may also be able to save a lot of
money by moving to a different neighborhood. You may even want to
consider moving to a different part of the country (i.e. one where the
cost of living is lower and/or job opportunities are more plentiful) if
this is an option.
5
Cook at home. Although 99 cent hamburgers from fast
food restaurants seem like a bargain, you can prepare meals at home that
are often equally economical, healthier for you, and create leftovers
for your lunch the next day.
Planning meals in advance so you can use what you already have in
your kitchen and take advantage of sales at the grocery store makes
cooking at home even cheaper.
6
Avoid debt. It can be hard to live within your means
when you don't earn much, but buying things using credit or rent-to-own
plans makes them cost more in the long run and is a significant factor
in keeping many people poor.
In particular, try to avoid getting a "pay day" loan. These small
loans come at a high cost. Often, the amount you will have to pay back
will be nearly three times the amount of the loan. These loans should be
used only as a last resort.
Method 2 of 4: Getting Assistance
1
Go to the food bank. In most communities, there is at
least one non-profit organization that distributes donated food to
those in need. If you are having trouble affording a trip to the grocery
store, this can be a great way to get some basic items to stock your
pantry.
Food banks are typically run by independent charitable organizations
and churches in your local community, so you should be able to track
one down on-line or even using the phone book. If you're having trouble
finding out where the food bank is in your community this website lists many food banks around the nation, though it is not an exhaustive list.
Similar services exist to help you meet your clothing needs. These
clothing banks are are run by churches and other private charities,
sometimes at the same site as your local food bank. If your food bank
doesn't have a clothing bank and you need some clothes, the volunteers
at the food bank may be able to tell you where these services are
available.
2
Apply for food stamps. The United States Department
of Agriculture (USDA) offers assistance to individuals and families
who's income does not exceed 130 percent of the poverty line. This
program, called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can
make trips to the grocery store much less painful and makes cooking
your own meals an even cheaper option.
To find out if you are eligible for SNAP, use their pre-screening tool, available here.
In most states, you can apply for SNAP online. Links to each state's application page are available here.
3
Apply for welfare. If you have children, you may be
eligible for a federal program called Temporary Assistance to Needy
Families (TANF), more commonly known as welfare. This is a cash
assistance program that can help you make ends meet for a while.
Funds for TANF are provided to states in block grants from The
Administration for Children and Families (ACF), a division of the
Department of Health & Human Services. It is up to each individual
state to distribute these funds. You can find information about your
state's requirements and application processes by visiting the ACF's website and selecting your state.
TANF benefits are available for a maximum of five years, and
recipients typically must demonstrate that they are making an effort to
become self-sufficient.
4
Apply for Section 8. Assistance with housing costs is
also available for families who earn less than 50 percent of the median
income in their area. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) will pay some portion of your rent directly to your
landlord if you qualify.
Like TANF, Section 8 housing is administered at the state level. To
find your local Public Housing Authority and apply for a HUD voucher,
visit the HUD website and select your state.
5
Get child care assistance. If you have a family, the
cost of childcare can be a major burden, but may be unavoidable if you
go to work or school. The Child Care and Development Fund provides
assistance for working parents of children under the age of 13.
Like many of the programs discussed above, this assistance is
provided at the state level. To find out who to contact for information
about assistance in your state, visit the Department of Health and Human
Services Office of Childcare website.
6
Apply for free/reduced lunch. If you have school aged
children, they may be eligible for subsidized meals at school through
the USDA's National School Lunch Program(NSLP). For information about
eligibility requirements and how to apply, visit their website.
The NSLP website also provides other valuable information about how create low-cost healthy meals and snacks for your children.
Method 3 of 4: Getting Educated
1
Take care of the basics. Individuals lacking a high school diploma have the highest rates of unemployment and are paid the least.If you don't have your diploma, an important step to escape from
poverty will be getting your GED by passing the Test of General
Education Development. This is the equivalent of a high school diploma.
In some states, free classes are offered to help you prepare for the
GED. The test itself also may or may not be free, depending on the
state in which you live. You can find information about how to get a GED
in your state here.
2
Participate in a job training program. The United
States Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration
provides funding for a range of different programs designed to make you a
more qualified job applicant. To find out more about their programs,
and to find links that will direct you toward opportunities in your
area, visit their website.
Participating in one of these programs may partially fulfill the requirements for TANF benefits.
3
Go to college. Any kind of college degree, even a
two-year Associate's degree from a community college, can make a big
difference in your prospects for employment and the wages you might earn
once you do get a job.
If it is at all feasible for you to do so, working toward a college
degree can be very helpful in rising above a life of poverty.
You may think you could never afford a college education, but the
Department of Education may be able to offer you a student loan or grant
that could put college within your reach. While funding has decreased
some in recent years, federal aid can make a less-expensive options like
community college a real possibility for many people. To see what
options they might make available to you, visit their website and file a Free Application For Student Aid (FAFSA).
Method 4 of 4: Becoming Employed
1
Look for job opportunities. There are many ways to
find a job. Regularly checking postings on sites like Craigslist and in
your local newspaper is a good place to start. It's also a good idea to
look for help wanted signs as you go about your daily business.
Many people get jobs through their social networks, so it's a good
idea to make sure your friends and family know you are looking for
opportunities.
There are numerous websites that exist to connect employers with
potential employees that are worth exploring. The US government also
provides resources for job seekers at this website.
2
Apply for jobs. Apply for any job for which you are qualified, and as many jobs as possible.
Carefully read the description and application requirements for any
job you apply for. Then, make sure that your application is complete and
responds to every major requirement in the job description.
For example, your resume and cover letter should feature key words
and ideas found in the job description. Neither the letter or resume
should be generic, but instead should make it clear why you are a good
fit for the job and the job is a good fit for you.
Make sure your application materials are easy to read and free of
spelling and grammatical errors. If possible, have someone else check
your work.
As you start applying for jobs, make sure there is nothing to
embarrass you on social network profiles such as your Facebook page. Any
pictures of you drinking, dressed provocatively, or otherwise
suggesting you are unprofessional should be removed, or your privacy
settings should make these images unavailable to potential employers.
Checking applicants' social networking profiles has become a very common
practice among employers.
3
Interview effectively. If you are called for an
interview, showing up on time, looking professional, and speaking
articulately are all important for your job prospects.
At the start of the interview, shake hands with the interviewer.
Smile and try to relax, no matter how nervous you may be.
Listen carefully to the questions you are asked, and answer them in a
direct way and with a positive attitude. Try to emphasize why you would
be a good candidate for the job using concrete examples.
4
Move up. Once you get a job, or if you already have
one, keep your eyes peeled for better opportunities. If your job doesn't
pay enough to raise you out of poverty, stick with it, but keep
looking. It's easier to get a job once you already have one.
Tips
Getting out of poverty is difficult and can take a long time. If
things don't start going your way immediately, try not to be too hard on
yourself or to give up.
No single strategy works for everyone. If it did, no one would be
poor. Try as many different approaches to this problem as you can, and
be persistent.
Ask for help. Getting out of poverty is easier when you aren't
trying to do it alone. There are many resources available to help you,
both from the government and non-profit organizations. Your friends and
family might be able to help you too, even if it's just with a kind word
or a hot meal.
Warnings
If you are not a US citizen, many of the government programs discussed above will not be available to you.
