# Ep.60- 5 Big Moments You Realize You Aren't Poor Anymore

**Read Time: 3 Minutes.**

This article is inspired by an article from [MarketWatch by reporter Alessandra Malito](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/this-is-the-moment-people-suddenly-realized-they-werent-poor-anymore-2018-05-21), where she calls out the big moment where many people suddenly realize they are not poor anymore.

What's the moment, you ask? **It's grocery shopping**, specifically the moment when you are not doing mental math anymore at the check-out counter. Yep. Been there, done that.

Grocery shopping is by no means the only big moment. Here are 5 more moments you suddenly realize you are no longer poor.

## **1. YOU HAVE YOUR OWN NETFLIX ACCOUNT**

I remember the days I "borrowed" my friend's Netflix password, and my friend's brother's HBO password. If you are around my age or younger, you probably remember a similar time in the not-so-distance past, or maybe you are still "borrowing" right now.

## **2. YOU NO LONGER ONLY DRIVE TO THE CHEAPEST GAS STATION**

Growing up, my parents always shopped around for the cheapest gas, which is usually at Costco. As a result, we usually waited for the gas tank to be empty, before going on a Costco shopping trip. That drilled into my head. In the earlier years of my career, after work, I would take a detour home just to save a 10 cents on gas. However, that is no longer the case.

## **3. YOU AUTOMATICALLY TIP 20%**

I was taught to tip differently between 15% and 25% based on the quality of service. More and more often now although not all the time, I find myself tipping 20% regardless for its convenience.

## **4. YOU USE A THING CALLED "HEATER" IN THE WINTER**

When It becomes cold in the rare days in Southern California, my parents used to tell me to layer up as the ultimate solution. Only in the rarest cases, I was allowed to enjoy the luxury of a space heater, still NOT central heating. Well... that's no longer a concern nowadays.

## **5. YOU SPLIT A BILL EVENLY, NOT JUST YOUR SHARE**

The first couple of years after college, I was a very big advocate on paying for what you order at a group dinner. The chances are, there are always people who order more drinks, or the most expensive thing on the menu, while someone else only orders a small salad. It seemed like the most reasonable practice at the time. But as I get older and progress in my career, I'd rather split the meal evenly, because it saves time, and possible some awkward silence.

**I publish a new story every Friday, subscribe on [Medium](https://medium.com/@dollarsandsensela).**