Man explains why it costs more to be poor and it's resonating with many: 'This is too real'

The world is running the rat race to have an affordable living. However, the unfavorable economic conditions and rapidly increasing cost of living are making many families destitute. Even if you try to cut costs and embrace a life of poverty, it leads to something worse later which would cost you more. Back in 2018, Tay Zonday—internet personality and singer famed for 'Chocolate Rain'—shared his insights on the fluctuating economy's impact. This six-year-old post struck a chord, amassing over 196K likes, with commenters overwhelmingly agreeing with Zonday's insights.

The singer wrote in his post, "Being poor now just leads to being more poor later." He then explained his views with examples. "Can't pay to clean your teeth? Next year, pay for a root canal. Can't pay for a new mattress? Next year, pay for back surgery. Can't pay to get that lump checked out? Next year, pay for stage 3 cancer," he wrote. Highlighting the grim reality of how the economy exacerbates poverty, Zonday poignantly concluded with, "Poverty charges interest." Even after six years, this post seems quite relevant for the unthinkable present-day situation of the cost of living. 

@rikognition commented: "Omg! This is too real" while @3score7 added: "Poverty also increases odds of arrest, bad credit and lack of available support when problems arise. Can't afford good lawyer, stuck with plea-bargain. Can't afford a decent car, stuck with tickets for brake light, turn signal, etc. Prescriptions halved, eat cheap, unhealthy food."

"And the rich get richer because all they do is keep their money safe while interest mounts on their money bringing in more. Because interest only works for those who have a lot of money. That’s when interest actually starts bringing in money that you don’t even have to work for," commented @imaddinedz. "And if you grow up in poverty like I did, you already have sketchy health and bad teeth because you saw a doctor and dentist maybe 4 times in 10 years, always slept on old beds and your clothes were handmade or thrift shop. Being poor is traumatizing and depressing and is hard to escape," wrote @VABVOX. "Not to mention, groceries are more expensive for the poor. They pay way more per unit when they can’t buy in bulk. Plus it’s hard to buy bulk when relying on public transportation. I want to see someone start grocery co-ops where those who are struggling can benefit from bulk pricing," pointed out @TheDesignerd.

Speaking of poverty being expensive, Terry Pratchett's "Sam Vimes 'Boots' theory of socio-economic unfairness" falls into place. This theory from Pratchett's 1993 book "Men At Arms" unveils the harsh reality of how expensive it is to be poor. As per Vimes, the rich became rich only because their financial management was effective. "Take boots, for example," Pratchett mentioned. "He earned thirty-eight dollars a month plus allowances. A really good pair of leather boots cost fifty dollars. But an affordable pair of boots, which were sort of okay for a season or two and then leaked like hell when the cardboard gave out, cost about ten dollars."

The author explained that Vimes always bought inexpensive boots and used them until they completely wore off. "A man who could afford fifty dollars had a pair of boots that'd still be keeping his feet dry in ten years of time, while a poor man who could only afford cheap boots would have spent a hundred dollars on boots at the same time and would still have wet feet," Pratchett highlighted. So, as per the "Boots" theory, eventually, being poor only costs more for the destitutes.