Trailer Trash McMansions

Feeling poor? Sometimes it’s a matter of just not being able to land a job with a good pay cheque. Or sometimes it’s a matter of refusing to tolerate corporate bullshit even for a good pay cheque. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being poor.

From earning a prestigious university degree to scraping the bottom of the poverty barrel.

Ever heard the story of someone who just graduated with the hope of entering workforce to have the century old industry contract and implode altogether.

Here is what Michelle Teheux, a Medium.com publisher says:

"It turns out you can have a good work record, a college degree, up-to-date skills and tons of professional awards and still be unable to land a job. Serving as the editor of a daily newspaper deeply fulfilled me, but newspapers died just as I reached a certain age and I had to find something else to do."

Her disappointment deepens as she comes to realize how her efforts to convince recruiters that her newly acquired skills could be applied across industries ultimately fell short. They did not believe her skills were translatable nor did they have any faith that she could pivot herself off in a new occupation.

She endured months of frustration answering poorly thought-out questions that only revealed recruiters' lack of understanding about the roles they were hired to fill. Before she decided to abandon the relentless search and futile networking that directed her into endlessly tweaking her LinkedIn profile and optimizing her resume.

She recalls this experience as "unpaid labor that drained her of her valuable time and energy"

Michelle's story is not a solitary event. Thousands of graduates are pumped each year by Universities that have ordained the students with the knowledge base knowingly they would never get to use it.

I remember being asked to re-take Accounting Theory in Australia. I had this unit completed with an American university some years ago. The unit focused on abandoning certain frameworks and concepts and a whole new Accounting Theory was being introduced. Years later I had to take series of single units in various Australian Universities and re-take the same unit again. The unit still advocated the old concepts and frameworks that were abandoned in USA for sometime. I had to pay for that rubbish too.

Yes its fair to say that most people don’t get what they should or deserve based on merit. Some do better than others professionally, while some struggle despite all the qualifications and experience.

In this market we simply do not live in a meritocracy.

Where you begin in life plays a significant role in how far you can go. If your parents could afford to pay for your college education, buy you a car, and contribute to a down payment on your first home, you’re already steps ahead. In contrast, someone burdened by student loans, searching for an affordable used car, and relying on roommates to cover rent faces a much steeper climb.

If you don’t come from family wealth, you’re probably well aware that your golden years could be uncertain. For those who will someday inherit money, life looks a bit different. They’re in a far better position than someone who has to rely solely on their own savings to retire.

Instead of scrimping and saving for the future, they can indulge in vacations and luxuries whenever the mood strikes. And often, they end up in a much better financial position than the neighbor who sacrificed for decades for a retirement they may never fully achieve. Is it fair? No, but fairness rarely plays a role in these matters.

If you’re someone who has to earn every cent yourself, take pride in that. Yes, even if you’re still struggling.

It takes an extraordinary amount of skill, grit, and even luck to navigate life in Australia on less than the median wage. If you’ve managed to stay afloat, no matter how precariously, you’ve earned the right to be proud.

Being poor or working class or lower-middle class or even a part of the underclass does not have anything to do with your value as a human being.

When you don’t have enough money to cover your needs, you develop a knack for finding hidden opportunities. You learn how to mend, make, repurpose, and hunt for deals. You learn to live without many things most people take for granted.

I once worked with a woman whose landlord evicted her and her small children with no warning. It was illegal, but it happened. Instead of wallowing in despair, she told me she was grateful for the experience - it taught her she could handle anything. Since then, nothing has shaken her confidence.

The working poor may not know how to play the stock market or keep up with the latest fashion trends, but they possess something far more valuable: resilience. They survive and adapt in a country that has built systems designed to exploit them for the benefit of the wealthy.

That survival, against all odds, is a remarkable achievement. It’s something they should feel deeply proud of.

Truly Yours,

Narghiza Ergashova

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Narghiza Ergashova is a highly skilled finance executive based in Australia with extensive experience across industries like property, mining, chemicals, and infrastructure. She is recognized for her expertise in managing complex portfolios, building strong stakeholder relationships, and driving exceptional business performance.

As a thought leader, Narghiza regularly shares valuable insights on leadership, innovation, and personal growth. Through her Medium articles, she covers key topics such as employee engagement, effective leadership strategies, and overcoming business challenges. Her work resonates with professionals looking for actionable advice and inspiration to succeed in both their careers and personal lives.

To learn more about Narghiza Ergashova, you can explore her work on the Blogger, STCK.com or visit her Medium.com profile. Discover her expert insights and strategies for leadership, business growth, and navigating challenges in today’s fast-paced industries.

In May 2025 Narghiza Ergashova released her debut autobiography called Curly Clix Convictions . The book delves into Narghiza's journey as a professional, entrepreneur, and wife and a mother. You can visit her biography by clicking the link below.