Every day, families across Southeast Ohio are making difficult decisions to stretch limited resources while caring for the people they love. For many, even a small unexpected expense can create significant hardship. And in the communities served by Hocking Athens Perry Community Action (HAPCAP), nearly one in five residents live in poverty, one of the highest rates in Ohio.
We asked our neighbors a simple question: What would you do with an extra $100? Their responses offer an honest look at the challenges, priorities, and hopes that shape daily life in our communities.
Below are their answers, shared in their own words.
####
“I would buy healthier food, gas for my car and a tire, or just bills. Healthy food costs a lot more and I have three kids.”
“Most of that would be spent on food, albeit, not much food for a family of five, but it would definitely help. The rest would be gas to get the food, gotta budget!”
“I would be able to have the needs I sometimes go without such as toothpaste and deodorant. I would be able to have gas to get to the doctor when needed or buy clothes instead of having clothes with holes”
“The first thing I would do would be to catch up on my rent, which is currently past due. Once my rent was up-to-date, I would then pay off other past due bills that I owe. I am currently trying to file for bankruptcy, but I cannot afford the fees. Imagine that, I cannot afford to file for bankruptcy.”
“Need wisdom teeth pulled. Need new shoes. Need new clothes.”
“I would try my best to save it. I know life throws things at us and sometimes money saved has to be used as an emergency fund. I would also save for many reasons, a bigger, better running vehicle, fix my credit, to save for a vacation (which I’ve never had one), college funds and basically if anything is needed for me and two children which I raise alone on a very low income.”
“Start a savings account.”
“I would use it towards helping with our monthly bills. I am the only income for my family, and in 2018, my boyfriend and I got into a car accident. This left me with three fractures in my spine and my boyfriend is on his third spinal surgery. I am a seasonal part time cashier, looking to find a more permanent career to help with my family’s living situation.”
“With an extra $100 a month, I would be able to pay for my license and insurance, then get a car so I can transport my daughter easier to get where we need to go.”
“I would put it toward the kid’s clothing. We go through so many clothes because they grow so quickly! And with them being all so close in age, it’s hard to have a good amount of money to spend on clothes when we have so much other stuff to buy.”
“I would put it in savings, half for Christmas and the other for a special trip for kids to go to the zoo.”
“I would put it towards my savings in the event of an emergency and help with my mom’s medical expenses.”
“Catch up water bill. Go on a date with my husband. Fix my car's axel. Put tires on my car. Buy diapers. Get groceries. Put in savings.”
“Do something fun with my family.”
“This would depend on the immediate need. Perhaps a utility bill that was higher than expected. Maybe one or more of my grandchildren needing shoes or clothing, gasoline or tires. We have many needs at this time.”
“Save it to take my daughter to a special event or vacation like a theme park or museum.”
“I would use an extra $100 to catch up on my bills and quit getting late fees. Once all caught up I would put the money toward a car payment and get a better, more reliable vehicle for my family.”
“I would put it into savings. We would like to buy a house someday. With all of our bills and expenses for the month, we are barely breaking even. Having the option to actually save and work towards owning vs. renting would be nice.”
