I grew up poor, by every measure I still am. However, I don’t have the debt that others do. It’s actually cheaper to eat healthy than eat McDonald’s. I’m not ta

I grew up poor, by every measure I still am. However, I don’t have the debt that others do. It’s actually cheaper to eat healthy than eat McDonald’s. I’m not talking Non-GMO, certified organic overpriced food for a guilt sale. I mean cans, beans, rice, flour, etc. Those who are struggling are continuing to attempt to do the same thing and it isn’t working for them. If you worked hard for a decade, without getting anywhere, whose fault is that? Society for keeping you down? Or you for staying so long? Everything is constant effort. I’m not talking FIRE movement, I’m just saying you don’t need that TV. You don’t need that Apple Watch. You don’t need that Tesla. I realize making atonement for your financial troubles is going to hurt even more. The other option is, like many here, start a company. I do know that it was extremely painful for me to become debt free, it’s still a struggle not to fall into it for all the reasons you describe. I choose to ignore ads, not watch media, ignore the pressures to buy buy buy, and I’m doing fine. Not rich, but not hurting anymore.