My memories of being poor haven't left me, years later. There are still some things (that are normal expenditure to most) that I'd feel so guilty about because the poor mindset sticks.
I consciously buy things that would help if I ever became poor again. I hoard quite a lot too, in fear of not being able to buy things in the future.
I read my diaries I kept them and it's sad what little I considered luxuries.
I'd not buy bin bags, just reused shopping bags (when they were free).
I'd reuse tinfoil until it was unusable.
I'd reuse one tea bag all day, no matter how much tea. I measured the water in the kettle so I didn't waste electricity boiling too much. I'd reuse crockery and cutlery as much as possible to use as little hot water as possible washing up. I'd also eat from the pot/pan to minimise dishes.
I only bathed in DC's used bath water.
I never went to a cafe for years.
The only furniture I had was from charity shops. Not that we needed much. We lived in a one bed flat, DC in one room, me in the other so no living room. (But sitting under the duvet in bed every evening meant I didn't need to put the heater on much)
No landline or internet at home so had to go to the public library to send emails/ apply for jobs etc. TV was so old it had no remote control and only 5 channels. No double glazing or central heating- 2 plug in heaters for whole flat. (This was all in the noughties not the 70s/80s).
Only ate meat once a week despite really liking meat and wanting to have it every day. Worried about DC not getting enough iron. Never got a takeaway or ate out. DC never had a happy meal!
Only had 3 pairs of shoes- trainers, boots and sandals. One summer jacket, one winter coat (was a present). I wore clothes until they were dirty as I could only afford one load of washing a week.
I walked everywhere and just didn't go places I couldn't walk to. (8 miles round trip was about my limit)
I struggled with the cost of (non brand) disposable nappies and wipes so got some reusable ones and tried cotton wool and baby lotion but there was so much mess/ spills creating more things that needed washed it wasn't worth it. Didn't stop me counting the cost every time I put a new nappy on (13p a go from memory). I'd feel so guilty about this luxury that I'd try to keep changes to a minimum but then DC would get nappy rash so more guilt.
When I got a job and a bit more money (but only £9 pwk more from working ft) I needed a car to get to said job. But when the battery died I couldn't afford a replacement so had to jump start my car every morning for weeks.
When I moved to a flat that did have central heating the boiler broke and had to last 2 months with no hot water apart from the kettle and no heating. Also couldn't afford to buy a fridge when moved so had to buy a pint of milk every day and keep it cool in the sink.
It became normal to be in debt to every company - gas and electric, phone, bank, student loans, social fund loans, council tax, TV licence. I had repayment arrangements with all of them. All the red letters were so stressful. But this was when calling them on a mobile was 45p per minute so that would leave me with even less to pay them!
I'm so terrified my DCs ever end up like that.