Being poor is paying for the bus with 125 pennies that you saved in a cup, and the bus driver getting pissed at you because it jams the coin collection slot.

Being poor is staggering into a doctor's office barely able to walk upright, and being turned away because you can't pay them $90 cash up front.

Being poor is having a positive balance in your bank account (barely), but not being able to get cash to catch the bus to work, because the ATMs only dispense $20 bills.

Being poor is begging your landlord to let you out of your lease with 26 days notice instead of 30 days after your mother just died and you're going back home, only to be charged a whole extra month's rent anyway, and borrowing the money from your best friend so that your boyfriend can pay him back next week and you can pay your boyfriend... when you can.

Being poor is riding two buses, a train, and another bus to work on a Monday morning only to be told your job assignment has ended, they called to let you know this morning and why are you here?

Being poor is eating Ramen and a piece of fruit for lunch every goddamn day for a year, until finally you can't bring yourself to put another bite of Ramen in your mouth without puking even if it was the last food on earth.

Being poor is not being able to visit your family at Christmas.

Being poor is not daring to answer the phone because it's probably a collection call.

Being poor is shopping at a tiny, dirty grocery store with limp produce.

Being poor is that sinking feeling when the store runs out of weekly discount bus passes before you bought yours.

Being poor is eating those $1 frozen Banquet meals for months before you realize that they are the reason you can't lose any weight even with your new diet and exercise program.

Being poor is asking a store if they can change a quarter so you can get on the bus without overpaying, and then being really embarrassed when the cashier just gives you a nickel out of his pocket.

Being poor is feeling like shit when you just don't have any money to give the homeless guy on the corner.

Or, in a good week, being poor is paying him a couple of bucks to watch your bike while you go into the CVS.  Because there's no place to lock the bike up, and he needs it more than you do.

Being poor is working as a bike courier and being sneered at by receptionists in fancy buildings, or yelled at for not walking through the garbage strewn loading dock, even though their business would be screwed without you to carry their papers from one place to another.

Being poor is getting paid less than minimum wage, and counting yourself lucky because something is better than nothing.

Being poor is wondering why your family is so appalled that you don't spend money on cable TV.

Being poor is not being able to take all your stuff with you when you move.

Being poor is charging another restaurant meal, because good food makes you feel less miserable, and what's $20 when you're already thousands in debt anyway?

Being poor is spending all your time on the internet because you can't afford to go out.

Being poor is avoiding the library because you can't afford to pay for the book you lost.

Being poor is knowing which stores will let you use the bathroom even if you don't buy anything.

Being poor is knowing your best friends won't come to visit you in your neighborhood.

Secondhand Sun