I've lived below the poverty line, thanks. As a single mom too.

You're not telling me anything I don't know. I know people as you describe exist, I'm surrounded by them.

I've also lived extremely rurally and urban and without a vehicle.

So I'm not entirely sure what you think you're educating me on. I know.

I also know that whatever situation someone is in, is temporary. It is NOT the whole of their lives.

I also know that it's equally true that many people in poverty don't know how to be poor.

I also know that many folks who make a whole lot more than I ever have are and will always be worse off than I'll ever be. They can't pay their bills because they don't know how to have money.

I'm not talking about "saving for a rainy day", although that's not a bad idea ever. I'm talking about collecting up resources, whatever you need, as much as you can, for as long as it takes.

No offense, but I wonder if your comment is not isn't maybe your own sort of privilege? Lots of folks with money seem to throw faux sympathies at the poor, but in doing so you have to wonder if they don't secretly want the poor to stay poor and hopeless. Poor people make them feel better. It's weird, but there it is.

I'm not saying there aren't people who are legitimately stuck. But I rejext the fatalistic narrative that there's anything wrong with the poor or that they are doomed to stay there.

There's more available than you seem to think or are willing to acknowledge.

We're in Arizona. If my daughrer and I had to walk to New Mexico to get an IUD, we'd do it. If we had to panhandle for the money, we'd do it. Wash windows. Take a second job. Sell our possessions. Work overtime. Skip meals. Downgrade our living arrangements, even to the point of couch surfing for a while. We'd do it.

In the end, we all pursue what is important to us. When you decide that something else is more impirtant to you than whatever it is that's got you stuck, you let that go and pursue the new priority/desire.

If you've been there, you know.