These notes are based upon Ruby Payne's book "A Framework for Understanding Poverty".

Ruby’s Key Points

• Poverty is relative.
• Poverty occurs in all races/all countries.
• Economic class is a continuous line/not a clear-cut distinction.
• Generation & situational poverty are different.
• Individuals bring with them the hidden rules of the class in which they were raised.

What does it mean to be poor?

Can you survive in Poverty?

• ______ 1. I know which churches and sections of town have the best rummage sales.
• ______ 2. I know which rummage sales have “bag sales”and when.
• ______ 3. I know which grocery stores’garbage bins can be accessed for thrown-away food.
• ______ 4. I know how to get someone out of jail.
• ______ 5. I know how to physically fight and defend myself physically.
• ______ 6. I know how to get a gun, even if. I have a police record.
• ______ 7. I know how to keep my clothes from being stolen at the Laundromat.
• ______ 8. I know what problems to look for in a used car.
• ______ 9. I know how to live without a checking account.
• ______ 10. I know how to live without electricity and a phone.
• ______ 11. I know how to use a knife as scissors.
• ______ 12. I can entertain a group of friends with my personality and my stories.
• ______ 13. I know what to do when. I don’t have money to pay the bills.
• ______ 14. I know how to move in half a day.
• ______ 15. I know how to get and use food stamps or an electronic card for benefits.
• ______ 16. I know where the free medical clinics are.
• ______ 17. I am very good at trading and bartering.
• ______ 18. I can get by without a car.

Can you survive in the Middle Class?

• ______ 1. I know how to get my children into Little League, piano lessons, soccer, etc.
• ______ 2. I know how to set a table properly.
• ______ 3. I know which stores are most likely to carry the clothing brands my family wears.
• ______ 4. My children know the best name brands in clothing.
• ______ 5. I know how to order in a nice restaurant.
• ______ 6. I know how to use a credit card, checking account, and savings account,
  and I understand an annuity. I understand term life insurance,
  disability insurance, and 20/80 medical insurance policy,
  as well as house insurance, flood insurance, and replacement insurance.
• ______ 7. I talk to my children about going to college.
• ______ 8. I know how to get one of the best interest rates on my new-car loan.
• ______ 9. I understand the difference among the principal, interest, and escrow statements on my house payment.
• ______ 10. I know how to help my children with their homework and do not hesitate to call the school if I need additional information.
• ______ 11. I know howto decorate the house for the different holidays.
• ______ 12. I know how to get a library card.
• ______ 13. I know how to use most of the tools in the garage.
• ______ 14. I repair items in my house almost immediately when they break or know a repair service and call it.

Can you survive in Wealth?

• ______ 1. I can read a menu in French, English, and anotherlanguage.
• ______ 2.. I have several favorite restaurants in different countries of the world.
• ______ 3.During the holidays,. I know how to hire a decorator to identify the appropriate themes and items with which to decorate the house.
• ______ 4. I know who my preferred financial advisor, legal service, designer, domestic-employment service, and hairdresser are.
• ______ 5. I have at least two residences that are staffed and maintained.
• ______ 6. I know how to ensure confidentiality and loyalty from my domestic staff.
• ______ 7. I have at least two or three “screens”that keep people whom. I do not wish to see away from me.
• ______ 8. I fly in my own plane or the company plane.
• ______ 9. I know how to enroll my children in the preferred private schools.
• ______ 10.. I know how to host the parties that “key”peopleattend.
• ______ 11.. I am on the boards of at least two charities.
• ______ 12.. I know the hidden rules of the Junior League.
• ______ 13.. I support or buy the work of a particular artist.
• ______ 14.. I know how to read a corporate financial statement and analyze my own financial statements.

Two things which help one move out of poverty are:

1. Education
2. Relationships

1. too painful to stay;
2. vision or goal;
3. key relationships;
4. special talent/skill

Poverty and Resources

Poverty is the extent to which an individual does without resources.

The ability to leave poverty depends on many resources-not just financial.

What are the Necessary Resources?

• Financial
• Emotional
• Mental
• Spiritual
• Physical
• Support Systems
• Relationships/Role Models
• Knowledge of Hidden Rules
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  

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