One way they deal with their money problems is to live in poverty before receiving the 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 the fact that Walter loses some of the insurance money to Willy Harris. Willy Harris convinces Walter that he should spend his share of the insurance check on opening 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 decent man (Washington 1988), Walter falls into the trap and gives money to Willy Harris. Willy Harris absconds with the money that sets the Younger family back, making Walter want to take Karl Lindner's.