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Or not. The reality is people in that scenario have a backlog of unmet needs as well as unsatisfied obligations, and the occasional, but consistent enough set

Or not. The reality is people in that scenario have a backlog of unmet needs as well as unsatisfied obligations, and the occasional, but consistent enough set of unexpected costs to render saving almost moot. Skip the fries Skip the debt collector Skip that new light bulb Skip proper heating Etc... Manage to save a couple hundred, car breaks down, kid gets sick. That's how it goes. At some point, risk reward will make crime / going on the hustle very attractive. Then that happens.

zozbot123 8y ago
> Manage to save a couple hundred, car breaks down, kid gets sick. I know that I'm supposed to address the strongest interpretation of a comment, not the weakest one - but I genuinely cannot tell what your point might be here? That having 200 bucks saved up when that emergency hits has no value? That it's better to have a broken car you can't afford to repair, and maybe lose your job as a result? It literally makes no sense to me.
- ddingus 8y ago
  It totally has value! But, that value isn't escaping poverty, just coping. I will add more context next time. Good feedback on a difficult topic.
- ddingus 8y ago
  Secondly, and this is my preference, but there is no need to address the strongest component. Really, this exercise has high value when we seek understanding. You did that by getting after the question in your mind, rather than some form or protocol. That's where the good stuff is, most frequently. Not always, but good conversation hits home far more than appropriate, or proper conversation does. Well played, I often do the same.