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 .

[Gandalf]

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 .

Totally. I look at my younger self and there were poor decisions too. You chalk it up as experience and try to do better. That is where I think people quite often choose poverty and just refuse to change patterns of behavior. Either you sort yourself out or you don't. I used to spend a lot of my income on going out and looking good. It was fun, but quite definitely choosing to be 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 .

Totally. I look at my younger self and there were poor decisions too. You chalk it up as experience and try to do better. That is where I think people quite often choose poverty and just refuse to change patterns of behavior. Either you sort yourself out or you don't. I used to spend a lot of my income on going out and looking good. It was fun, but quite definitely choosing to be poor.

We're responsible for our own actions. Not so sure I'd say everyone categorized 'poor' as choosing it as it's more a conditioning a lot of people seem to settle into. Some become content in their means. Some are idiots and carry 5 credit cards in their 20's. Everyone has different circumstances and roads traveled but truth is when you're young you know zero about hindsight and investment (career, educational or otherwise). Ultimately it's human instinct to better a condition if you're in a struggle, should be at least.