Are you poor?

Well we are. And so is just about everyone I know. Now just how poor we are depends greatly on your view of things. See, we made about 22K last year. That's for a family of five too. Yet, we live in a newer (rented) 2000 sq.ft. home, drive a 2002 Suburban, own a 31 ft. new travel trailer and have all of our bills paid monthly. Now, to be fair our rent is covered by a family member for the time being. (DH started a new job last year and the income is expected to grow exponentially each year until we can make it entirely on our own.) However, that still doesn't leave much to live on. We have found ways to cut expenses as much as possible; cell, t.v., Internet, phone are all on the cheapest package available, no newspaper, no eating out, no unnecessary groceries, I make our pizza and the kids qualify for free lunch at school (I don't feel guilty about that either since it is temporary and we have paid our taxes for many years!) So, now that I've bragged about how wonderfully we manage our finances...
What's my point?
Well, what is up with people who complain about having no money yet are constantly justifying spending? People about to loose their homes or cars yet each weekend eat out at least once. No wonder people get upset with those on welfare! Maybe they should be required to allow someone else to manage their money if they've been on welfare more than a year and still haven't made any improvements! Then you look at our family and we can't even qualify for food stamps. I manage to keep our grocery bill right about or just under $300 a month. We've paid into the system and for the year or two in our life when we need the help it isn't available. Maybe that's because you don't have to have ever worked to benefit. Heck you don't even have to be a citizen!!! Yeah it makes me mad and more than a little frustrated. I try not to stew about it and cause more stress that I don't need but every so often it bubbles to the surface. Like yesterday after a friend told me how much in food stamps she'll be getting for just her and her three kids. Don't get me wrong she is definitely one who is deserving and in need and probably won't use it for very long, but it did get me thinking about it again. Why is it that when you screw your life up there are all kinds of programs to "reward" you? But when you work your butt off, make sacrafices and wait to have kids you're on your own! Our society is just so screwed up!