One way they deal with financial problems is how they live in poverty before receiving their insurance check. The Younger family is so poor that Ruth's son Travis has to sleep on the couch until they buy the house. The family also has to deal with Walter losing some of his insurance money to Willy Harris. Willy Harris convinces Walter to spend his portion of the insurance check to open a liquor store. Wanting to be able to take care of his family because he felt obligated to do so because he wanted to feel like a real man (Washington 1988), Walter falls for it and gives the money to Willy Harris. Willy Harris runs away with the money they return to the Younger family, which makes Walter want to take Karl Lindner's