Today, I was reminded what poverty is like when I had to choose between buying food and buying pads. Now, I have to take constant bathroom breaks and wipe off my pad. I don't get paid until after my period ends. FML
Collection
Fall
Dead leaves, the first cold of the season and an umbrella flipped inside out: fall, the season of grace.
Today, while sitting on the toilet, I noticed there was no toilet paper left, so I dug through my purse to use my one and only pad as a substitute. It clogged the toilet, and I started my period ten minutes later. FML
Today, I've been debating all day on whether I'm going to have to sell some of my video games to afford pads. FML
Today, I realized that every time I hear running water, I have less than a minute to find a toilet or I'll pee my pants. FML
Today, I woke up to realize I got my period a week early. The day of the after-wedding brunch. In a sort of remote area. Without pads or tampons. I need to be at the breakfast in a half-hour. FML
Today, I had to decide between buying medicine and buying food. FML
Today, I invested in some menstrual underwear to save money on sanitary products and for environmental reasons. I got to wear them only once before they were accidentally washed too hot and completely ruined. FML
Today, I got my period early. While traveling. For a funeral. I had to walk through two entire airport terminals to find a shop that had any period products, and the only option was an $18 box of tampons. Six tampons, to be precise. FML
Today, I ran to a public bathroom because of explosive diarrhea. In the middle of it, I noticed there was no more toilet paper nor paper towels remaining. The smallest bill in my wallet was a 5. I had to pay 10 dollars to wipe my own butt. FML
Today, I got a diaper rash from a pad. FML
Today, I came home to my boyfriend wearing one of my pads on his hand, because he didn't want to pay to go to the hospital for stitches. FML
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Top comments
Welshite 40
Invest in a menstrual cup. The cups are reusable and pay for themselves over just a few months.
laurellkawes 31
You could always use toilet tissue as a pad or a cloth. Not the best option, but better than not eating
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Comments (227)
blackrose1996 11
If you have a Salvation Army where you are go and talk to them
LuxEtTenebris 11
For any ladies finding themselves in this sitch - here's where you can find pads free: 1. Free clinics 2. Planned Parenthood 3. Churches with donation centers 4. Women-only shelters 5. Some women's crisis counseling centers Just explain your financial situation, and most of these places would be happy to help you.
cyanidesun 5
Most free clinics or emergency rooms will provide pads if you ask.
psychocunt 20
fill a clean sock with toilet paper.
idekanymorefam 3
I'm sure there's places to get free supplies maybe a free clinic?
live2loveurself 11
Get a menstrual cup! There are disposable ones, 6 for $3, or reusable ones that you just have to buy a rinse for and rinse it out every time you use it!
Bubblezx 12
Maybe you should learn to budget your money.
GhostFox 34
Maybe budgeting money doesn't work because the economy is ****** up? There's nothing in this post that implies OP has poor financial management skills. It could very well be that- like so many people who get stuck working minimum wage and with heavily limited hours- that OP is in the unfortunate position of where they have to put all their money into bills and rent, but not 'poor enough' to qualify for any sort of aid. Maybe you should be less of an asshole next time instead of jumping to the conclusion that OP is financially inept when there are dozens, if not hundreds, of reasons they could end up in this situation. All the budgeting in the world won't help you in certain situations.
CYOA4Life 22
The wife and I make reusable pads for women that live in poor countries around the world. I'm sure you can find on the Internet on how to make them. It involves a wash cloth/ towel and some fabrics. Needle and thread. Hand wash or throw in the laundry when done.
deguwrangler 7
You could get an infection using literally one pad... At least use a shit ton of toilet paper
LittleDoggo 15
Doesn't anyone here have a savings account? No offense to OP though, having to choose between food and pads is a tough decision. But whenever I'm low on money and have to wait for my monthly salary I use a bit of my savings account and make up for it the next month.
Nazaress 13
Clearly you've never really been poor. When your bills take all of your paycheck and more (my parents had to juggle who to pay late each month despite having three jobs between them), there's no such thing as a savings account.
catherinecas 30
It's called living paycheck to paycheck which basically means you use that entire psyched to live leaving no money to make a savings account. And if OP is on any sort of government assistance they can have their benefits revoked for having too much money saved.