In the USA poor means you can't afford both Direct TV AND Highspeed internet for the 3 TVs in you 2500 square ft. plus McMansion you are buying and late on the payments because you have two late model SUVs you are also trying to make payments on while paying for your unlimited texting plan on all the famiiy member's cell phones...
However the answer to your question is easy and my Grandpappy answered it many years ago when I asked him the same question:
"Poor people have poor ways..." ---Paul Henry Gettles
I’ve said it before on this forum, and I’ll say it again now. In America, you stay poor by being lazy and by doing the same stupid things over and over again. Show up for work drunk and punch my boss? No problem.