How'd you grow up?

[aceriderbetty]

I grew up poor and didn't know it. I thought everyone lived the way we did. Nearly everything we ate came from our farm. As kids we were always outside either playing or doing our chores. I started selling tomatoes when I was 12 to make some money. I got a job at a McDonald's when I became old enough to work there.

I left our small town as soon as I could. I went to college, started a career, lived in the "big city", became obsessed with obtaining material objects and one day realized no matter what I acquired I wanted more...Then I realized that I was much happier as a child living the simple life. So I moved back to the country and that is where I am now. I still have a great career, but my passion is farming, raising chickens, helping others whenever and however I can and trying to be a good steward of the earth.

What you get doesn't make you happy, it's what you give.

 

[Rhett&SarahsMom]

Shopping at the Thrift store. Taking care of the animals. Having chores.
Second hand cars. Mom stayed home with us til I was 8. Did home work before anything else. Played cowboys and indians, cops and robbers. All with plastic guns. If we wanted something my parents couldnt afford we saved our allowance til we could get it.
Hard work for what ya wanted. Had to earn what you wanted. Respect for elders, the authorities, teachers, others and ourselves.


Funny. so much of the above the younger generation in general doesnt seem to have.

 

[PurpleChicken]

Middle class, only child, spoiled rotten. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

 

[Opa]

Quote:
This is probably the best way someone could live their life.

 

[saddina]

Quote:
Same, only child, only grandchild for 23 years, I now have the only great-grandchildren...

Family land and farm was sold off when none of my parent's generation wanted to stay on the ranch, now it's all acres of McMansions. I'm in the black, and don't need my family's money, I've enough aunts and uncles that there may not be much left anyway.

 

[Bluemoon420]

It was just me and my younger brother. We grew up upper middle class military family. My maternal grandfather was an Admiral, my Dad was Jag, and countless uncles in the military also. We traveled all over the world, moved a lot, and learned to adapt quickly. We weren't spoiled by any means.
I was taught to defend myself in any situation from various family members, and boy did that come in handy later in life. My dad wanted to be street smart, know my surroundings, etc. My grandmother always used to say, " Being booksmart is great, but it won't do you a bit of good if you don't have any common sense."

Bluemoon

 

[jjdward]

Couldn't afford the down payment on a free doughnut. We were happy cause mama didn't tell us we were broke. We got food stamps and govt food. I don't care what people say, govment cheese is the best you can get!!!

 

[LittleChickenRacingTeam]

My sis is 12 yrs older than me, so it was almost like being an only child.

My parents were fairly well off by the time I came along. Went to private school, had a nanny, & chauffer/gardener at the house.

There were no hand outs tho. My father instilled a deep work ethic on me, & I always had a part time job from the day I turned 16.

Had my first company at 18 & put in 12-14 hr days building my business, & was able to retire 3 yrs ago at the age of 44.

I sold my 50 acres to developers a while back, & made some great investments over the years.

I now get to enjoy life on my terms. Life is what you make of it. Everyone has the opportunity to write their own ticket. That's what's so great about living in a free capitalist country.

 

[skeeter03]

average I guess - to our standards great!!!!! mom tells me now they were always in the poverty line area (according to the government) but I dont ever remember having to do without - simple life yes - new clothes for school was one outfit and then maybe something new for our birthdays and Christmas. never namebrand good ole sears!!!
We had a huge garden that helped out - chickens and pigs. we went camping at lakes way out in the bush for holidays. other then that us kids entertained ourselves for hours on end outside at HOME not being dragged here there and everywhere to be entertained.
and honestly I can say my childhood was probaly the best ever - I cant complain at all. My dad is so proud to see me and my hubby taking the same route with my kids as they did with us as kids. happy to have our fixer-upper house on our little plot of land out in the country and live the simple life with my kids.

 

[sweetcorn]

Growing up with little money I think prepared me for what's to come

Absolutely dear ... you will grow up with a good work ethic and appreciate what you do have and not expect stuff handed to you throughout your life . You will be an awesome , self reliant person . Thank your parents for that