Growing up, we weren't poor. We were definitely not rich either. My Dad worked for Ma Bell and took all the overtime he could get and my Mom was a medical secretary after my sister and I started school.
In retrospect, we were probably lower middle class and the reason we had extras was Dad's overtime. I know he has talked about how his overtime bought our school clothes and they scrimped and saved and bought a very used travel trailer in the early 70's that enabled us to take very cheap vacations.
When we went to Florida for a week vacation we brought our own food and ate out one (1) night during the week. Mom cooked two meals a day. Late breakfast and supper. It was easy white trash food, like tacos, spaghetti, sloppy joes, fried Spam & french fries, etc. Sandwiches for lunch.
One time, the restaurant was too expensive and we had to come home a day early. That shows me now, how tight the budget was. My Dad ate a chopped ham sandwich, cheetos or fritos and a piece of fruit for lunch for about 20 years. Just so he could save that lunch money to put towards school clothes, vacation and Christmas gifts.
I wish there was something I could do to repay them for all they did for us.
Herohog - check your messages.