Re:Why poor people make poor decisions
by GuB-42 on Tuesday February 11, 2020 @01:16PM
(#22300936)
That's a very dangerous suggestion.
The risk is buying into status symbols of a class beyond your reach. You may signal a certain amount of wealth by buying the latest iPhone, but the "rich and educated" won't be fooled. They will quickly notice where you are living, the car you are driving, the clothes you are wearing and how you spend your vacations, etc... And if it doesn't match, you will get ridiculed. You will be better off living within your means. The rich usually have good finances, that's why they are rich, and they will be more likely to accept you if you have it too.
But getting shunned is not the worst that can happen. If you try to follow them, you are going to get burned very quickly. If they can afford a $100 dinner on a whim, they are going to do it, why wouldn't they. And if you want to stay in their group, you will be tempted to follow, except that you can't afford it.
The risk is buying into status symbols of a class beyond your reach. You may signal a certain amount of wealth by buying the latest iPhone, but the "rich and educated" won't be fooled. They will quickly notice where you are living, the car you are driving, the clothes you are wearing and how you spend your vacations, etc... And if it doesn't match, you will get ridiculed. You will be better off living within your means. The rich usually have good finances, that's why they are rich, and they will be more likely to accept you if you have it too.
But getting shunned is not the worst that can happen. If you try to follow them, you are going to get burned very quickly. If they can afford a $100 dinner on a whim, they are going to do it, why wouldn't they. And if you want to stay in their group, you will be tempted to follow, except that you can't afford it.