What’s the poorest you’ve ever been?

Question

I’m doing well now. Healthy portfolio, good paying job and have travelled extensively. Wasn’t like that when I was younger though. I wasn’t making it paycheck to paycheck. I couldn’t afford to put gas in my car and I walked 2 miles to work every day then back home after quiting time. Thankfully I’ve never experienced being homeless, but I remember living on noodles and peanut butter in a small apartment with no furniture.

Wish there was a BP community back in those days. BP doesn't solve our problems, but it helps point us in a worthwhile direction with a lot of supporting cast members.

Wish there was a BP community back in those days.  BP doesn't solve our problems, but it helps point us in a worthwhile direction with a lot of supporting cast members.

Alex Craig · Answer

I was so poor in college, I could not even pay attention, that is why it took me 7 years to finish.

Larry Turowski · Answer

@Matthew McNeil This is a good question but I'd add the caveat of "while you were an investor."  Two types of poor that still leave you at a huge advantage are:

1. Poor due to being young and going to school or otherwise "investing" in your future.

2. Poor due to having lost everything but having "rich" in the knowledge and network it would take to build it again.  Entrepreneurs sometimes lose everything but they know how to get investors, how to start a business, etc.  That is a far cry from someone working a minimum wage job.

I lived hand-to-mouth as a college student and for awhile after.  As an investor I have never been poor.  It is hard starting out with no skills, no knowledge, and no money.  You really need to have at least one of those, preferably two, and ideally, all three.  I started with some money to invest, gained some knowledge and have developed management and investing savvy (skills) along the way.