LPT: the loafers at Walmart are about the best bang for your buck you can get from shoes. They are like 8 dollars and look ok enough that I wore them to my last job, which was a fancy office job. Next best value is the brahma boots for 20.

As a guy, just steer clear of thrift store shoes. My wife has a ton of great thrift store shoe finds but every single time I have tried (when I could actually find something I liked in my size) there was something irreparably wrong with them.

thanks for the advice

You got my upvote for the sweet note to your mom! Kids can be cruel. It’s so painful to feel distant from what other kids seem to just take for granted. Hang in there! Before you know it your school days will be behind you and you can do anything you want to. Don’t let the little people get you down!

Also, take those shoes back to the thrift store and get your money back!!!

We didnt keep our receipt :/ but ty for the advice <3

I got 5 bucks on a new pair of shoes for this kid. Do you have Venmo?

Edit: he is going to ask his mom in the morning if I can Venmo him $5 anyone else want to add $5? let's get him some shoes!

Also, fuck anybody making fun of you for wearing thrift store or cheap clothes. I make well into the six figures for salary and I am currently wearing thrift store pants, a thrift store shirt, thrift store hoodie, and 20 dollar walmart boots.

It's a small town and were the black sheep family in the neighborhood that everyone likes to talk about

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Thank you man I'm trying

I am so sorry this is happening to you. I remember wearing too small shoes as a kid for months. Awful pain.

The blisters on the heals and the Achilles tendon are the worst D:

I am sorry. Blisters are awful. This is weird advice but make sure that you are not bending your toes wrong way because it will damage your tendons in them and will cause you pain when you are older. I literally can't find comfortable shoes and every step is painful

This enrages me, not because of your mom but the fact that it seems like you both have no support whatsoever. There is zero reason for you both to be struggling this much and i am so sorry. I hope you are able to get a new pair of shoes soon. If you can go to your school nurse and explain the situation. They may be able to help you and hopefully be discreet about it

Oh I did not know this, Ive been bending them just so it doesn't hurt as bad LOL

Yes so did I when I was teenager. Only my dad worked and we were big family. It could take months of asking to be taken for new shoes. I was eldest so there wasn't choice wearing handmedowns from my siblings. Could perhaps any of your cousins lend you pair of shoes?

My mom is a very proud woman and would get really angry if I made our family look worse. Its a small town so if we were "Donated" shoes, people would be even ruder to us

My mom is estranged from her family because she wouldnt give me up or have an operation when she was in high school to get rid of me.

Ah I am sorry, that's difficult then.

My moms favorite song is a county song called "We'll Get By Somehow" By billie ray Cyrus and it's been our anthem lol.

You probably already thought about this but did you try to superglue those shoes/sneakers together?

I did, But the seams also came loose and I dont know how to sew.

You can look that up on youtube. Yes it's easier to learn if someone shows you, but youtube is quite good too.

You got some kind of way of receiving money? I have 5 kids and would be devastated if any of them had to go through this so I’d be happy to help out. I’m in Australia so no one in a small Midwest town will find out lol

She needs to put her pride aside. You can damage your feet permanently from wearing shoes that don't fit right. Also forget your town. They sound like a bunch of A holes. The rest of the world is not like that and it's incredibly unchristian behavior for them to act like that. Be sure to point it out to them when they give you crap and if they aren't christian they are terrible regardless of their religion or lack thereof. Most religions wouldn't approve of ill treatment of the poor, and if any of them are atheist they are still jerks and don't deserve to be affiliated with atheism.

Same. Amazon list, with some new shoes, maybe?

Well said!

Yeah, do that. I’d shout a pair of real Nikes, and would love if you picked something for your mum as a treat to OP

Hopefully OP sees this. I'd love to chip in, from Australia too

Where you at? I’m up in North QLD

SE QLD :) formerly Townsville!

Kenny?

(In all seriousness OP, I know it's cliché to say this,but pay no mind to these young idiots. By the time you've forgotten about them, they'll be feeling existential dread every night once they realize what insensitive pricks they were)

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I grew up poor in the south west, I know the feeling. Let me know if I can do anything to help. Maybe I can mail you some shoes in. I'll do my best to make it discreet

Both my husband and I came from families who had financial struggles when we were kids and we both went through the same issues with name calling, blisters and constant wet feet in winter. We now have good jobs and our own home and you best believe we have the biggest cupboard of shoes and both our moms get everything they want. I’m so sorry you’ve had a tough start in life but you sound like you’ve got what it takes to turn it around and one day you’ll have the last laugh.

well you have a phone so you can probably learn

all you need is a needle and some string/yarn, i know u can do it

same here just not formerly townsville

You can usually look up how to fix your own clothes online. It's a good skill to have, should save you some money (and grief).

if you can find a part time job just 2-3h a week or so it will add up a ton, but don’t let that money distract you from studying

You can find good shoes in thrift stores for men as well, but it really pays to know what you are looking for. I have found some one of my nicest pairs of shoes there, but have not found any decent sneakers ever.

I find that buying used from people (app/website etc) is usually a better bet when it comes to shoes though.

Hey brother, don’t let people get to you. While I can’t say I can relate entirely to your situation, I grew up with some issues of my own with being bullied or made fun of for various reasons and it can be really difficult.

That said, some of that experience made me who I am today and while at the time I was devastated about some things or aspects of my life, looking back on it I had it a lot better than most.

Perspective is key, and while no one deserves to be ridiculed for the way they look or what they wear, it can be a helpful thing to keep in mind.

Keep your head up, life goes on and keep in mind that those people that give you a hard time about what you wear are not worth your (or anyones) time. Good people will find good people, just give it time.

I can help you out here, I’ve got too many shoes. PM incoming.

Ah nice!

Can’t usually get your money back at goodwill or other thrift stores. They’re secondhand items sold as-is, no guarantees. Might be able to use store credit if you actually return something, don’t think that works for busted knockoffs

Let me buy you some real Nikes?

It’s not about fitting in. It’s about you feeling worthy. It’s about you being able to walk with confidence and be who you want to be.

It really hits home for me. I grew up in an abusive household where my parents just refused to buy me clothing…. Luckily my school had a uniform so no one knew I only had a couple of raggedy things, hand me (quite a few times)downs.

But then I got a scholarship to a nice school and alas no uniform and I only had my old uniform shoes which had holes and I’d had to super glue the sole back on.

I was walking an hour each way for school, showing up with frozen feet and soggy shoes which would leave a puddle as I walked.

I remember a girl asking me why I don’t have other shoes and why I don’t wear a coat when it’s snowing…It was heartbreakingly embarrassing.

OP- I know the feeling, I hate the idea of you having to go through this the way I did.

PM me… would love to do get you shoes.

Yes please. I hope he makes an Amazon wishlist.

Foot problems suck. I know others have said this, but you can make an Amazon wish list and stay anonymous. Best of luck.

Did OP reach out to you?

I'm in.

Not yet! Really hoping he does…

Yes!

I'm in

In to help from Ireland!

I’ll go in too. Someone just needs to tag me for the update

I’m in.

Please make an Amazon list for yourself + something for your mom!

OP, what size shoes do you and your mom wear? I'm sure we could find you some good stuff around here that you wouldn't be embarrassed to wear.

You sound like a good dude bro. Keep this same attitude you will be good in life. N screw those little immature kids making fun you obviously way more mature n got more for u going

Yep, tag or message me.

Don't have venmo but I'm in. I have cashapp though.

Do you have a Target near you?

Yes

Cashapp or PayPal.

Let's get 2 pair. I'd go in for 10.

I'll throw $10 but only got Paypal.

Do you have Paypal? I would love to support you!

I’m in

I'm in for $20. Let's get some new shoes!

Yup!

I hate that I'm so jaded, but am I wrong in thinking this post is a scam? The account is only 1 day old.

I'm in. Tag me

I just donated a lightly used pair of steel toed Timberland work boots to goodwill. Hope someone puts them to good use

Don't take criticism from people you wouldn't take advice from.

Fuck those people dude. Tell your mum about your shoes too, you can't go around with painful feet.

Sad but I don't believe much anymore either

I’m in

Better than bed bugs

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Been there before, fuck em. Wait till you get out of there one day and meet some people from larger cities and realize "all those assholes back home are really just ignorant losers in the grand scheme of things"

Well this just made me cry! You are such a sweet, kind and compassionate soul. Kids, especially teenagers, can be so mean. I grew up very similarly. My sister and I only had our single momma. She worked her butt off. We were always picked on for wearing Walmart clothes. I, to this day, remember this total crap of a kid coming up to me and commenting on my sneakers, asking why I didn’t wear adidas or Nike. I’m 34 years old now. That was in 6th grade.

What I can tell you, OP, is that your future is yours to completely succeed and be amazing. Sounds like you’re on the right track. Tell your momma- from mom to mom, she’s doing an amazing job. <3

If there is enough money leftover, maybe momma could get herself a nice new pair of shoes too? Sounds like she could maybe use a boost in this time. I wish I had anything to give right now. I’m fresh off of a very extensive maternity leave due to medical issues, so we are in over our heads with bills to catch up with right now. :(

I still have tears rolling 5 min later. OP, you may not have much money, and cruel people may be insensitive toward you in your town, but you have something far greater that money can't buy... Integrity, a beautiful heart, and a mom who is doing her best for you, loves you, and has certainly raised a kind gentleman.

Actually everyone helping out here made me question the sub.

OP, you didn’t fuck up. And I am so happy to see that there is still faith in humanity left. I hope that all those kinds words and actions reach you. Stay strong!

I'm in too!

Very big hearted people in the world. ❤️

Fuck those shallow superficial turds. I never had brand name stuff growing up because my parents were too thrifty to buy ‘em.
40 years on, I am doing better financially than 80% of those high school turds. I went to a reunion last year and wore nonbrand shit the whole weekend. I had a great time and we all laughed at what jerks we (they) were about how important it was to wear “THE” right clothes.

In

I'm in!

Do you have Cash App, friend? I want to contribute. Please.

I’m in too. Let me know I have cash app, Venmo and Zelle!

Ignore the ignorant and petty fools, one day if you keep your head right will end up as their boss.

Same ill go in for 10 on venmo

I’ve gotten $400 dress shoes in great shape for $2.50 at a thrift shop. I still have them over a decade later. You have to shop where the rich people get rid of their stuff, especially when someone passes. Not gonna find trendy young people stuff, though.

yeah, the poor family just needs to learn to sew! Pull themselves up by the shoelaces by golly!

I've got Zelle and PayPal. Tag me, they both need shoes.

OP's account is one day old and suspended.

Men generally don’t dump their stuff until it is beyond hope…. Veteran thrift store shopper

I'm in for $10, fuck it.

I gotchu. Up me to 20. In honor of Notyouravgbelle's new baby

Because most guys wear shit until it falls apart and only have a few pairs. You have sneakers, boots, and dress shoes. Maybe sandals. What more do you need?

Women have a bunch, so the wear and tear is spread around. You also won't see a guy get rid of a shoe because it's slightly damaged or because he simply doesn't like it anymore.

The only reason you're probably seeing men's shoes at a thrift store is because the owner has died.

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Fuck em, thats what I say

Have worn many $100 athletic shoes and have the money to get any I want, but still go with the $15 ones from walmart. They last me for years and feel great with the caveat that I don't play sports anymore.

Repairing shoes, especially ones made of cheap material , is not anywhere the same as repairing clothes.

There's a reason cobblers and tailors are separate professions.

Oh my goodness!!! Thank you so much! This literally made me tear up! <3

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Dude, I didn't say it would fix all their problems or even that I think they should do it. It's just a good skill for anyone to have, and it's a lot easier to learn with the internet around.

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