Telling poor people to budget is criminal.
Have you ever been poor? No? Then stop telling poor people what they should do. The real dilemma is how we can change the economy to fit the needs of the people, not how to change the people to fit the needs of the economy.
The Department of Justice’s Ferguson report recently revealed how disproportionately targeted majority-minority populations are with traffic and other minor infractions that heavily support a municipality’s coffers. But Ferguson is far from alone. Municipalities like New York City have significantly increased the number of petty offenses labeled felonious (like lying down on the subway) or sitting on the curb. Affluent white people in business attire don’t have that experience, and if they do, they can quickly pay their way out of the offense or secure counsel to minimize action. The over-punishment of minor crimes is just another way the rich get richer, and as the report says, the “poor get prison.” They also get more impoverished and more numerous. In one striking statistic, the Southern Educational Foundation reports that 51 percent of America’s public school children live in poverty.
The system is stacked against impoverished people in many ways, including violations, fees, and fines. And even those who manage to avoid the system still pay a high price to be current, visible, and informed. Be that through a cable tv subscription, online purchases, and even groceries. In some cases, even if you aren’t experiencing poverty, a budget can help you see what you have and what you need.
Now while budgeting can help struggling families realize where they can make changes to better their circumstances, it is by no means the solution to getting out of poverty. If you don’t have enough money, budgeting won’t fix that. However, if budgeting can help you realize that you’re paying too much for one service or luxury and how you can use that savings to fund another need or want — it’s worth knowing how much is coming in and how much is going out.
‘Cerulean‘ — slated for release this fall, intends to tackle this and other issues under the guise of being frugal extravagantly using time-tested tips and tricks that will empower anyone regardless of socioeconomic status. This guide acknowledges it isn’t the solution but an answer along the way.
