16 people share their best example of 'it's cheaper to be rich than poor.'

Between overdraft fees and credit scores, the lesson of 'you have to have money to make money' is a confusing and bitter message to swallow...

So, when a Reddit user asked, 'What are some examples of 'it’s cheaper to be rich than poor?'' people were ready to share their favorite case of 'money can't buy happiness but it does by the one thing I need right now.' More money, less problems? Let the debate begin.

1.

When you are constantly struggling to stay on top of bills, it is inevitable that you will pay something late or miss a payment. That leads to extra charges and late fees. Having a hard time finding a job and cannot afford to pay for the parking garage downtown? Prepare yourself for the parking tickets you will receive while trying to go to interviews. It is kind of like 'a death by a thousand tiny cuts.' - imk

2.

Not only is a mortgage often less than rent, but at the end of your mortgage, you are left with a house that you own...You can sell it, often for more than you paid, or continue living in it for free (apart from taxes/utilities). Someone stuck renting their whole life comes out the other end with nothing. - Hartagon

3.

Time. Rich people seem to have all the time in the world while people like me don't seem to have enough hours in a day. Maybe a case of the grass being greener, but it sure doesn't feel like it. - iamnicolelove53

4.

My bank started waiving fees after my account balance passed a certain threshold. You literally have to pay more for the same service if you're poor. - Cntread

5.

But getting arrested costs way less if you have money. Paying out of pocket for a lawyer may cost more up front, but if you can't afford one (or even bail) you will be in a much harder spot. You could easily lose your job if you have to stay in jail until your trial. Court appointed attorneys are often incredibly overworked and will not work as hard to get you a better deal. Then if you can't afford the legal fees to seal your record that arrest could prevent you from getting a job that pays well enough to afford a lawyer. - DJ_SCREW_JUNE_27

6.

Car maintenance, preventative medical and dental care, home repair before it’s an emergency, access to healthy food and lifestyle. Basically all those things that you put off until it’s a very expensive problem when you’re poor. - ClintDisaster

7.

$250 ticket for not having your inspection up to date because you cant afford the $80 for registration. - PrestonDanger

8.

Being sick. At least in the USA. The sick policy is usually more generous the more $ you make and if you're an hourly employee with no sick days you work or you do not get paid. If you have to seek treatment or, god forbid, go to the hospital then you better hope you have decent health insurance or it will cost you an arm and a leg. Many Americans are one medical emergency from total financial ruin. - foxandsheep

9.

Rich people often have connections and can get things or services for free or reduced rates. - TheJonBarber

10.

Having to pay for something again after every time it wears out instead of being able to buy a really nice one once. - THOTdestroyer101804

11.

I used to rent this apartment in Manhattan on Thompson St. by Washington Sq. I’ve also lived in Chinatown, UES, Brooklyn, East New York, and Ridgewood, and always used coin-operated self-service laundry because “why would I pay more for someone to do my laundry?”

Well, The first day I moved to Thompson street I wanted to clean some sheets and clothes—good thing there’s a self-service laundromat across the street. I popped in and filled two medium size machines.

It was something crazy like 30 quarters for each machine and 4 minutes per quarter to dry. All in all it cost me about $45 and 2hours of my time to wash and dry everything. I told a few coworkers who live fairly close-by this story and they asked me why I do my own laundry because it’s more expensive.

The next week I canvassed the 2 block radius of my apartment and found a korean dry cleaners and laundry service. I started bringing my laundry to them, who export it out to BK or NJ, and they bill me $19 and tie a bow on top. I still can’t believe how much cheaper it was and that the self-service laundromats in “nice neighborhoods” are a scam. Poor me would never think a rich move like laundry service would save money over doing your own. - fatkarlos

12.

Dental care. If you can afford to go to the dentist even once a year, get preventative care, fix cavities early, and it's significantly less expensive than more complicated restorations and treatment.

I know way more poor people who just wait there's a serious issue, and just have a tooth pulled, because that's cheaper. I know someone who lost a chunk of jaw bone from a bad tooth and needed a bone graft.

Not to mention, dentists in the US have worked hard to prevent dental care being included in health insurance. You need separate dental insurance, even though oral health is very much connected with your overall health. - nerdprincess73

13.

Someone mentioned cars, but it's a really good example. I worked in the business/accounting office of a car dealership for 2.5 years. I remember going through files and thinking 'Man, I wish I could afford to write a personal check for $28,000.'

And that person who had $28k to spare is going to be paying less overall than the person who makes half that amount in a whole year, who gets forced into a 14%+ interest rate (yes, really. I've seen 24% at times) just so they can have a car to get themselves to work when theirs breaks down beyond reasonable repair.

We once had a guy (almost) max out four different credit cards paying for his car, and when our finance director tried to tell him 'You'd qualify for a much lower interest rate on a loan with [manufacturer] than the interest rate on these cards,' the guy brushed him off and said 'I'll have all of these paid off in two weeks.'

So presumably he had the money to just hand us a check, but was getting a lot of cashback on these large purchases on his (very high limit) credit cards. The difference between that and a 24% interest rate on an already used car is just so unfortunate. - maple-belle

14.

Furniture. More expensive furniture is often made better and lasts longer so you don’t have to keep buying new. Same with clothes. - Espy333

15.

Ran out of money in your checking account? Well now you have to pay a $50 fine for not having any money. - supremedalek925

16.

Remote work. I'm practically saving the equivilent in a minimum wage job from reduced wear and tear/gas/servicing/insurance. And that's just the quantitative dollars. - TurkeyturtleYUMYUM