Nine services that poor people spend on that the rich and middle class don't
Pawn Shops and Thrift Stores
When money is tight, finding affordable clothing or household items becomes a priority, Kolodgie said.
“That’s why many lower-income individuals rely on pawn shops or thrift stores.”
High-Fee Checking Accounts
“Lower-income people often cannot keep a high enough balance in their checking account to waive any monthly fees,” said Janita Grift, finance expert and owner of Frugal Fun Finance.
“Until I was able to keep a minimum balance in my checking account, I paid between $5-$10 a month to keep my checking account open.”
Taxis and Ride-Shares
“Lower-income people often need to rely on public transportation,” Grift noted. “If they live in a city with unreliable transportation or limited service, they’ll need to shell out funds for a costly taxi or ride-share across the city.”
Processed Foods
“Lower-income people often work multiple jobs and want to minimize meal prep time,” Grift said. “Therefore, they often buy frozen or processed foods that take a minimum amount of prep time. When I was making a lower income and working two jobs, my diet was higher in processed foods.”
Grocery Delivery Services
“Lower-income people are often short on time so they may opt to have their groceries delivered,” Grift said. “When I was on a lower income and did not have access to a vehicle, I spent an additional $50 a month on grocery delivery fees.”
Housing Costs
According to Martin Orefice, CEO of Rent To Own Labs, one of the ways that being poor is expensive is in housing. Renting an apartment can definitely be more convenient than homeownership in terms of repairs and maintenance, but landlords also have to make a living, and you’re the one who’s paying for it.”
“Even if you do manage to buy a house, you’ll probably be stuck paying for private mortgage insurance unless you can afford to put at least 20% down,” he said. “This insurance isn’t for you; it’s for your lender, and will pay them if you default on your mortgage.”
