Genuine Question: Why do people stay poor?

[Spicoli]

Poverty or being broke speaks many languages and definitely is not restricted to race. Debt and mistaken credit cards, loans as your own actual money will ensure you live your later days as the hard working poor. As a single male I make pretty good money, then some months I give well more than half away to tread water and keep the 8 year phone from ringing .

It does affect some races more than others statistically, but I am looking for a more general conversation really as I honestly struggle with this question.

Using what you have just said would you put that down to personal choice or society forcing it on you?

Geographical, State to State, location also play a major role.

Simply put I chalk the majority of personal financial hurdles to some dumb decisions, lack of a big picture planning many many years ago and sleeping on some opportunities. But you can't live backwards and there are no do overs in life. Maybe 1 or 2 'acts of god' in the form of natural disasters really hurt monetarily but compared to others I'm pretty fortunate. Where you're at mentally has a lot to do with it and you can't 'settle' and wait for someone to come save you. I think a lot of people who go around saying "I'm so broke" don't have the slightest idea what having absolutely nothing is really like. Probably why I can't get through a conversation with Nieces or Nephews without them rolling their eyes .