Actually, I have been bankrupt, starving and cold, but I didn't burn my kit to keep myself alive.
Instead, I sold my comic book collection - 2 copies each of every Marvel and DC superhero comic published from 1961 thru 1979. It was worth a hell of a lot more than my 1958 Ludwig Super Classic kit (black diamond pearl wrap), and not only did the sale keep me alive, it gave me enough to live on for a couple of years.
It was a tough call, though. Back when I split from my 2nd wife I drove off to a new life in Santa Fe, NM with a suitcase full of underwear, my Navajo dog, the comic collection, and the drum kit. At the time, I couldn't imagine living without any of that. Well, maybe I could've done without the underwear, but I doubt anyone would've bought it.