Whatchu Know About It?

Hustling bus transfers
smoking shorted squares

ordering deli meat by the dollar, not by the pound
food stamp cards with PIN's that don't work right
coupon hustling

leaving expensive, hard to carry ish at the bottom of the shopping cart
stretching that kool aid... with more water and sugar
pushing pop bottles
letting go of your favorite CDs to cover that pawn ticket

in the lobby of the courthouse praying that the arresting officer no-shows

getting thru the line at county hospital in less than 4 hours
getting that extra chicken wing in your order
irregular sized joints... special priced to move
display models

the cable not being cut off
finding the right customer service rep that'll extend your due date

not getting that scrilla in the mail when you promised everybody...
traffic moving too damn slow on the way to that sure bet interview
seeing your old classmates at your worst...

not being able to get popcorn at the movies
spending your kicking it money to keep the lights on because...
getting sick and not getting the rest you need because the kids need you
missing the last slot in that pre req you need next fall
financial aid check short

not enough gas the day before payday
going to church just to get a hot meal at someone's house
hog head cheese
potted meat
hot dogs on sale for 99 cents... you know, breakfast, lunch and dinner?

hitting the back door at the back of the bus
hustling dubbed mix tapes
boosting for resale to make rent
getting a payday loan to pay off that other payday loan

celly getting cut off the week you're waiting for that call
merching your vicodin ($10 a pop... sheeeyit!)
moving all of your DVDs

giving plasma
your futon/bed/couch/table/bookcase

calling that spot to get in on that medical research ish
scalping your cousin's tickets to the game
coming home in the stealth of night to avoid the landlord

sitting with the lights off so no one knows you're home
using your overdraft protection

Bor.ders being your library
free internet at the public library... that lasts 45 minutes

or just bouncing that check because you have to

spending your last dollar on that lotto ticket

standing in the free cheese line
and actually using that powdered milk
and that cheese

the 99 cent menu
foam rollers masquerading as a mattress

scooping all of the free coupons BK and KFC outta the building vestibule
dark meat - 3 pieces for $1.99
the 10 cent sale
Buy one get one...

getting over on them cee-lo and craps cats on the corner
messing with the blackjack table with your last $100
copping wears from the goodwill and salvation army spots

not being able to express your frustration properly
crying because it hurts to be isolated and alone in partial poverty

being able to afford bullshit off the dollar menu but not the healthy shit
younger cats with ice, rims and fat pockets vs you and your degree(s) and being broke

washing the same 3 shirts over by hand, rotating them in the same workweek
stealing from the school cafeteria
getting drunk to forget your troubles
window shopping at the dollar store

getting your cousin to 'flip' your tax return
selling Sam's Club candy bars to get car fare...


no AC in July, sweating it out at 2am... on the floor
loosing the joints you put in lay away
that old-ass radio that can't get the station

sleeping thru the gunshots


not calling your mama when you know you need to, but just can't