In many cases, "poor" is more of a mindset than a condition. It becomes a matter of perspectives:

In support of what you're saying here, back in college I would observe what would happen when different "moneyless" students would get an unexpected bonus sum of money.

The "poor" ones would exclaim "woo-hoo! I have $200!" And there would be dinner, and beer, and a couple of nights on the town, and maybe a party... and then they would be right back to being "moneyless," in a couple of days.

I, too, was "moneyless." But when a surprise $200 appeared, it would mean gas in my car, basic food stock for am month and perhaps an opportunity to use some of the money as a way to create more money: Go to a flea market with $100 and buy things I could re-sell for $200.

Perhaps what is also worth considering here is a person's ability to "delay gratification." From what I observe, "poor" people tend to want immediate gratification, while most "rich" people can delay the reward patiently.

Thank you for a thoughtful article!

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