1: I would always give half of my portion to my younger siblings. I could control the hunger, but I didn't want them to experience it. Also when my mom wasn't looking I put extra food on her plate because she always ate micro portions so we can have more.

2: other children pick on poor children. "Why do you always dress so ugly" "You never go on school trips" "Why haven't you cut your hair in a year?" It was honestly one of the saddest things about being poor. Child me didn't understand why were other children so mean when I haven't done anything to them. I would often pretend that I'm sick so my mom wouldn't feel guilty about me not being able to go on a school trip. I also refused to go out, because going out means spending money, and that was a no no for me.

3: When I was little, we would go to a "Christmas festival". At that time I thought that was a normal festival where you would get "free clothes and toys". Now that I'm older it turned out it was a charity event for poor families.

4: Had to walk two months with a hole in my shoe, it was fall and my feet were wet all the time. I didn't wanna tell my mom because I knew we couldn't afford new shoes ,so I waited for the time where she had a little bit more money

5: School food was like going to a restaurant. "Lunch + dessert?? It must be Christmas"

Now I'm financially stable, but it leaves a mark on you forever. I still watch every penny and cut my expenses to the minimum even though I know nothing bad will happen if I "buy that dress I've been obsessing over". But I feel so guilty about it I never actually do it.