Ask HN: What are the best ways to get out of poverty?

3 points·anon115··7 comments

The "cut back on spending" type suggestions are part of the solution, but can also sound a little condescending to people who are truly poor. As if money just appears in your bank account if you can only muster the right amount of will power? Should you give up eating? Find an abandoned house to squat in? If you can only save $50 a month, how long does it take for you to save up for college, a working car, or a more stable place to live?

Spend less. Earn more. Invest the difference.

"Earn more" sounds callous, but it is actually advice. You aren't stuck in the same job/career forever. Look for ways to move up. Some of them will take work and time to develop. Take the time and do the work.

Spend less? Not going to work - absent a sudden income shock, people's expenses are roughly in line with their income. If the income is low, so will be the expenses, and cutting back on low expenses will not yield much in savings.

Socialize more with friends, join a sports club, that's better advice, such opens up opportunities to move upwards.

Yeah, I spent a period in my 20s fairly poor; I wasn't homeless or anything but I worked two jobs, didn't own a car, and had to exercise extreme discipline with my budget. I can agree that the "spend less" solution is logical but doesn't actually work. "Whoa look at you big spender, with your $10/mo Netflix subscription!" In all seriousness, I could suggest working in a grocery store or restaurant so you can "obtain" free food. The way I got out of it was by applying for jobs in a different area and borrowing money from family to move.

Pay off your debts as quickly as possible (in general). For example, ff you have a credit card try to pay it off every month.

1. Reduce your needs.

reduce your wants?

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