Am I Poor Quiz
Questions: 15 · 10 minutes
1. During the past three months, how often have you declined an affordable-looking social or community activity because even its total cost was too much?
Once
Many times or almost whenever a cost was involved
Not during the past three months
A few times
2. Suppose you need a medical appointment, prescription, dental visit, or other necessary care. How does cost usually affect you?
I delay the care for a significant period
I receive it promptly without a difficult financial trade-off
I use a lower-cost option or adjust flexible spending, but still receive it promptly
I go without needed care because I cannot afford it
3. During the past month, how often were you concerned that your groceries would run out before you could afford more?
Several times during the month
Not during the past month
Once or twice
Most weeks or almost continuously
4. If all household income stopped today, how long could available money cover your essential expenses?
Less than one month
At least three months
My available money already does not fully cover essentials
One month but less than three months
5. Which statement best describes the predictability of your household income?
It varies, but I can usually plan around the changes
Frequent gaps require credit, borrowing, or delayed payments
It is predictable enough to plan regular expenses
Repeated gaps leave essential expenses unpaid
6. At the end of a typical month, what remains after regular essential expenses and required payments?
A repeatable amount that I can save or use toward goals
A shortfall that requires borrowing, delayed bills, or outside help
Usually close to zero, with little room for surprises
A small positive amount, though it varies
7. When a housing payment is due during a tight month, which response best matches your usual situation?
I pay it but reduce flexible spending for the month
I fall behind or face warnings about losing my housing
I pay it without cutting spending on essentials
I delay another necessary bill or borrow to make the payment
8. When an essential item such as suitable shoes, a winter coat, or work clothing wears out, what typically happens?
I cannot replace it and must go without or use something unsuitable
I replace it without disrupting essential bills
I postpone replacement for weeks or keep using an inadequate item
I wait for my next pay or use a small amount of savings
9. How often does lack of money prevent you from maintaining relationships through visits, shared activities, celebrations, or other meaningful participation?
Occasionally, so I choose lower-cost ways to participate
Frequently, causing me to miss many meaningful occasions
Rarely or never
Regularly, though I can participate in some occasions
10. You need to attend an interview, appointment, class, or important community event across town. How does transport cost affect the plan?
I can usually make the trip after planning around cost or choosing a cheaper route
I can usually travel without a difficult financial trade-off
I often cannot attend because no affordable option is available
I sometimes reschedule, seek a ride, or miss the event because of cost
11. A useful job or training opportunity requires fees, clothing, equipment, or certification. What would most likely happen?
I would accept after making manageable budget adjustments
I would have to turn it down because the costs could not be covered
I could cover the requirements without disrupting essentials
I would postpone it or depend on aid that might not be available
12. How do credit cards, personal loans, overdrafts, or other unsecured debts affect your monthly budget?
Payments mainly reduce optional spending
I have none, or payments fit without significant trade-offs
I miss minimum payments or deal with collection activity
Payments regularly displace saving or another scheduled bill
13. An unexpected necessary expense equals roughly one week of your take-home income. How would you most likely cover it?
Use savings without affecting regular expenses
Use credit, borrow, or repay it over several months
Adjust nonessential spending from current income
Be unable to cover it without missing an essential payment
14. How well does your access to internet service and a suitable phone or computer support work, study, applications, and essential services?
Interruptions or unsuitable equipment regularly limit what I can do
I have reliable access and suitable equipment
I do not have dependable access when I need it
I rely on older or shared equipment, but it usually meets my needs
15. Over the past 12 months, what has affordability meant for your electricity, heating, water, or similar essential utilities?
I have received repeated late or shutoff notices
I have generally paid without affordability-related delays
A service has been disconnected, or I have gone without adequate heating, cooling, or water
I have occasionally paid late but avoided repeated warnings