Comment by 8ytecoder

I know the general definition of poverty is around the utter basics - food and shelter - but it goes far beyond that. If you have to choose between buying a washing machine or sending your kids to a tutor. If you have to choose between buying everything as individual unit at the grocery store or cheaper-in-bulk goods from a big box store. If you have to choose between seeing the doctor now or wait and see if the issue goes away. If you have to choose between sending your kids to college or sending them off to work at 18. Decisions small and large, accumulate and create a much bigger impact than most people imagine. Each of those have an opportunity cost that could make their life a little better in the short run or a frustration in the short run that can help them towards a better life in the long run. Now imagine having to make these decisions consistently for two decades until you can see the return on it - like say your kids actually getting a better job or you becoming an entrepreneur or finding a career ...etc.