When my Mom was first divorced from my Dad, she barely ate one meal a day, to make sure my brother and I had three. It was rough going those first few years, I see that now in retrospect, but didn't know it at the time. We didn't have a TV, and our presents were school clothes and pajamas for Christmas and our Birthday. She qualified for WIC but didn't get it because she was too proud, so we ate ALOT of eggs and pancakes. Special birthday treat was a trip to McDonalds for a double cheeseburger.
This was in 77-80. She said things turned around in 81, that was when we got a TV, and special birthday treats became a steak dinner.
That message was not lost on me.