The Art of Being Poor
CW: Mention of sexual assault, miscarriage, depression, medications I'm poor. Have been since I started working, probably always will be. My anticipated income for this year is around $8400. It's really nobody's fault except Circumstance. I'm paid fairly, but I'm not able to work full-time, and living off government benefits is like living life with one foot about to slip off the edge of a cliff - one mistake and it's all over. Once upon a time, I was close to having a "normal" life. I graduated from college at 20 and started a Master in Teacher program. I would have had my Master's degree at 21 and been the youngest student to complete that program. I made it through the summer term, and although there were a couple of days when I had to sit outside in the hall and take notes because my anxiety was too high to be around everyone in the classroom, I felt okay. I've always been a good student and had no problem pulling As and the