A damning public interest story that scrutinizes what it costs, literally, to be poor. Very well researched, with plenty of factual evidence (cost of groceries, fees) and firsthand anecdotes. Not advocacy -- no melodrama or imbalance -- and no distracting first-person narrative. Commendable.

Very well written. No drama, no hyperbole, just the hard, cold facts of life for a shockingly large percentage of our population. Facts that should be known by everyone in the U.S.

Excellent report on why it costs more to be poor in America, with case studies and interviews with people above and below the poverty line. This in-depth article identifies some of the key challenges that make life even harder for the poor, due to higher prices, fewer benefits and longer waits in low income neighborhoods. Well researched and insightful report about a growing problem for more and more people.

an incredibly realistic article which exemplifies what's good in journalism. honesty, use of sources, clarity of points, and most important, enlightenment for all of us

The story is good writing, but if you didn't know about this, you have been hanging around the country club too much. And this article did not get into the homeless people that make up the next level down. Tickets and vandalism to people living in their cars are also expensive. If they have a car.

By going to the source, and gaining information from those who are living the situation, this article has far more credibility than anything written from assumptions or statistics.

A good in depth look at how the poor are continually screwed and why many develope the attitudes we see. It is only a beginning, the screwing the poor took while the economy was good was bad, now they are throwing sand in the vaseline.

This is a great and educational story about the increased expenses in a poor person's life. It reads more like a magazine story than a news story, however. The tone is a bit condescending, but the message is clear.

This is a great piece of quality journalism, of the kind that's not seen as much. Sadly, other than through NewsTrust, it's likely this story in the WashPost won't be covered or taken further by anything else.

I here about a lot of complications due to not having access to a banking account, but the story only lists one case of an actual reason. I would like to hear more reasons why it is hard to acquire a free checking account and this article could convince me to be active in helping locals, which should be the goal of this journal. Making one aware and not proposing any solution path just makes someone feel pain for the issue, then hopeless to help, and ultimately callous to aide.

Great stats, great quotes!