> Here is one thing though: I earn comfortable now. But the trauma of poverty never leaves you. Even though I work in CS/ML, my life is pretty austere. I stick

> Here is one thing though: I earn comfortable now. But the trauma of poverty never leaves you. Even though I work in CS/ML, my life is pretty austere. I stick to the 'needs', and avoid the 'wants' as much as possible. Maybe it will take some years - or maybe these habits won't go. The one thing I never wish for anyone is hunger. Once you have lived through it, you won't want to be in that position ever again. Congratulations on getting out of it tho! My father grew up pretty much piss poor with a single mother. His reaction to living in poverty is completely the opposite. He never keeps money and buys everything in excess. Probably a way to overcompensate and, as you said, to not want to love in that position ever again.