Poverty has nothing to do with your bank account. Poverty is in the mind. The poor can not and will not put off pleasures of today for a gain tomorrow. The poor what instant gratification—in things—Sneakers, Big Screen TV, etc...They believe, falsely, that such things will give them happyness—and they do for a short time— until the newness wears off. They seek the now—not the future. Most of the poor can not think more than three days into the future. I know—I have been poor and have friends and family who are.
Toss in drugs or alcohol, and the problem becomes even worse.