Godinez, Jordin (Rasquachismo)

    Before reading this prompt I was not aware of the term “Rasquachismo” which is essentially “making the most from the least”. This is very common for low-income families because they do not have the financial means to avoid being resourceful. Although I was not aware of this term before, this term applies to my family and I. I grew up in a low-income household; however, that does not stop us from taking advantage of the little resources we have. My mom makes sure that we make the most out of everything we buy. For example, when my mom buys the Mole sauce that comes in a glass cup, after using it, she washes the glass cup and reuses it as a beverage cup. All the plastic bags that we get from the grocery store we reuse for trash bags or to store food containers that we give to family members after parties. She also uses the oven (when it’s not in use) to store pans, pots, etc.. I grew up thinking these types of things were normal and that everyone did this but then when I started college, I realized that not everyone did this and made me think that mainly low-income families do this. I eventually began to do the same with things I would buy on my own. For example, when I buy new shoes, I reuse the shoe boxes to store small items. There are times where you think there will be cookies in the cookie container but turns out your grandma is using the container to store her sewing supplies. I think as a kid I would have been embarrassed if people found out that my family and I did this but now I do not care because it’s being resourceful. You save money by making the most out of the least.