There was more than enough to go around, love: we all went for seconds and thirds. I relied on the largest source in the area. The small sources I left alone because I know I can survive without 4-5 meals per day (which is what I could have finagled). Even in my new environment, I don't drain the less-endowed stores, and instead barter with labor at abundant pantries.
Here's the million-dollar question, however! There aren't any jobs in the area that won't compel me to commit suicide (or jobs
period), so I'm not going for them. I'm supposed to either suffer through a miserable vocation (if I can even get one), now? And if I'm destitute, I'm supposed to be miserable about
that, as well?
What I can do to earn money isn't enough to really feed myself better than what I can get from my current sources, anyway: I'd have to put the majority of my funds into just eating, which would
still leave me on the street! With less free time! What choice do
I have, eh?
Do you have much experience being poor, James-dear? There really is a skill to it, just like managing money; and Lord knows either ain't inborn. It's really not as much a wasteland as you seem to picture it. If it makes you feel better, I've been thinking about taking up fishing again, too.