I grew up in one of the poorest states in the US (top 2 or 3).

I went to really bad public schools with a reputation for violence.

I was an awful student who rarely pushed himself in anything.

In my early 20s, I made horrific financial decisions and accumulated a huge amount of debt.

99% of my friends still live there, doing the same shit they were 10+ years ago.

I managed to pull myself out by working my ass off. Because of that, I’ve been alienated from nearly all of my family and only maintain 2 friendships from my youth, and I was a social butterfly.

All of those I’m disaffected from claim my wife and I are judgemental, uppity, and generally not great people. Except, we’ve literally never told anyone what to do. We’ve offered advice when asked, but even that is met with scorn.

Poverty isn’t just being broke. It’s a prison for your mind.