I took my teen for a ‘6-week’ haircut. For the last two years, they have sported a shorter, ‘boy style’ haircut, so their haircut typically ends up being a ‘trim.’ As the hairstylist was getting ready to ‘cash me out, she mentioned, “I had to raise my prices because—you know, everything else costs more.” The total for a ‘haircut’ (before tip) was $43.00. As I have previously worked in the hospitality industry, I tipped her (however, not as much as I had in prior visits, simply because I could not afford it). As I got into my car, I allowed myself to be in shock. I had just spent $50.00 on a trim. All due to ‘inflation.’

My monthly car payment is about $500.00, which doesn't include insurance, gas, or the yearly expense of renewing my tabs.

When I went to get my oil changed in my SUV, I was told I must purchase the ‘high synthetic’ oil, as it is the only option they have for my car (I drive a base model 2015 GMC Acadia (front wheel drive)). Although the men and women working there always do their part and mention the additional service I should ‘consider’ for my car (to ensure it’s running as best as possible), I never take them up on their ‘offers,' even if it is the best interest of my car. Instead, I ask for a printout of the recommended services so I can (hopefully) find a ‘better priced’ option at a local shop. At the time of checkout, the ‘basic’ oil change cost me $110.00.

I live in rural Washington (state), not far from Tacoma, but far enough away that we do not have access to public transportation in my area. Getting around can be more challenging if you don't own a vehicle. And, although we don't have public transit, those within our (small) 'city' limits are still required to pay the 'Regional Transit Authority tax, a 1.1% tax (calculated based upon your vehicles 'depreciated' value), which is taxed through the renewal of vehicle tabs every year. This year, in 2022, the cost to renew my vehicle tabs in my region (based on depreciated value) is roughly $240 per year. However, those who own newer model vehicles will pay up to $800 annually. What happened to our '$30 Tabs'? Oh wait, they are still $30.....

In 2019, I was able to get my place after (a very long transition out of) a domestic violence situation. It's an older (1,200 square foot) three-bedroom duplex in a 'fairly' quiet neighborhood. Our school district is exceptionally innovative and passionate about its teachers and staff compared to how much other public educational districts can offer. This is due, in large part, to the amount of funding our community passes through educational bonds and levies. Our school district gets proportionally smaller funding through federal/state educational grants than other communities. The passage of bonds and levies from our registered voters allows our district to fill in a few of the (many) gaps that our state will not support with funding, such as other health and behavioral specialists, higher pay for our teachers, as well as giving our children the ability to explore additional academic activities.

Thus far, I have maintained a consistent home life for my family, which is extremely important to me regarding their emotional and social well-being. Our home has also been a place for my healing and growth throughout the last three years. My monthly rent is $1900.00 and doesn't include heat, cable, electricity, garbage, Wi-Fi, etc.

My two younger children are currently in extra-curricular activities. My daughter, Kennedy, is in gymnastics, and my son, Kingston, just finished his fourth soccer season. My older daughter participates in choir, DECA, and our district's annual play (it's a big deal in our town!). These activities are crucial for their social/emotional development and physical well-being; however, they do not come without a financial obligation.

I am a full-time student at Grand Canyon University. My program major is Bachelor of Arts in Communication, emphasizing Internal Communication and Human Relations.

I have been an ECEAP Leadership Council member on the Puget Sound Educational School District Policy Council since 2021 and was just elected into the Treasurer role for the 2022-2023 school year. I am also a Parent Ambassador for the Washington State Association of Head Start and ECEAP. With this organization, I have been allowed to have one-on-one meetings with the members of congress (both in Washington state and federally in D.C.) advocating for new and current bills, those that would specifically impact millions of Americans nationwide, such as the SNAP program, early childhood education, behavioral health, WIC and so on.

I sit on the Inclusionary Advisory Board for our School District’s Early Learning Center. We are working through a grant with Puget Sound Educational School District to implement an all-inclusive early learning environment that will benefit our future generations.

I have been certified in two 7-week Peer Educator programs, which empower me to give back to my community through a series of 'Health and Financial Wellness' teach-back classes for families in our community.

In May, I (applied and) was selected by Washington Health Care Authority to participate in the prerequisite training (and subsequent tests) to become a Certified Peer Counselor with the Washington State Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery Supports Unit.

Like many of us, I choose to involve myself in these experiences because I have endured significant trauma. I have seen (firsthand) the large gap in how we (as a society) are not fully capable of helping people process past experiences so that we can live whole and healthy lives. As a society, we need to learn how to become comfortable around people who have experienced these situations. We must learn how to ‘lean in’ to uncomfortable conditions, help everyone, and achieve more profound personal growth.

At this time, none of the above opportunities I am involved with could independently provide me with a ‘wage’ that gives my family the ability to "Thrive" in life. On the contrary, most advocacy work I do is entirely voluntary, without pay.

Although my priority is to attempt to positively grow our community-- through growth and introspection, and healing, at this time, my family would be what one would associate with ‘living in poverty.

So—What is poverty? I suppose it depends on who you ask and in what circumstances. I try not to fret about my monthly bills—if I did, I would be extremely miserable. And that mindset would not be healthy for my children. Don’t get me wrong, I worry about how I can afford my bills ALL THE TIME… but I believe that the commitment to helping my community sustain growth greatly outweighs my worries. And maybe it doesn’t. Maybe my family will be homeless next month.

Mahatma Gandhi didn’t simply say: “Be the Change You Want to See in The World.”

His full quote, as stated in the Indian Opinion, 1913: “We but mirror the world. All the tendencies present in the outer world are to be found in the world of our body. If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. This is the divine mystery supreme. A wonderful thing it is and the source of our happiness. We need not wait to see what others do” (reprinted in Gandhi, M. The Collected Works of M.K. Gandhi; The Publications Division: New Delhi, India, 1960; Volume 13, Chapter 153; p. 241. [Google Scholar]

I have found that in our society, one's success in life can be most often associated with financial gains (from the perspective of other people and our self-worth). And yes-- I believe that money can be (and is) COMPLETELY necessary to the feeling of our validity, including (but not limited to): being able to maintain a home, pay bills and buy food, put our kids in extra-curricular activities/sports, and even included in the aspect of gratification, in the form of a vacation or something else 'well deserved.'

I believe that many professions in our society are grossly underpaid in the form of a monetary 'living wage.'

Yet sometimes, we have accomplishments that do not include those 'financial gains.' I think that those accomplishments can be the most fulfilling to ourselves (as well as a huge benefit to others); at the same time, those endeavors can be the hardest to continue pursuing in because, put, without earning success (in monetary form), we cannot survive. Yet-- it is often said that money cannot buy happiness. Quite ironic.

Samantha Starr