I have never been Poor, but the kinds of reactions you describe can take root with even pretty transient financial stress. I had a couple very thin years -- sa

I have never been Poor, but the kinds of reactions you describe can take root with even pretty transient financial stress. I had a couple very thin years -- savings dwindling, and then gone; work was scarce. Collectors were calling. I was afraid I was going to lose my house. My power got cut off. I scraped by, and got out of it, and find myself now in a very fortunate position -- better off than I was before, excellent income, minimal debt (and zero consumer debt), etc. -- but even a couple years of that kind of instability leaves a mark. It's not as much as throwaway's, but I'm very debt-averse. I'm very risk-averse. We save a LOT. I'll never be in that position again. I find that most people never consider how precarious their position really is until an object lesson comes along.