There is a certain attitude about money that goes with poverty. I remember it from my childhood. It was sort of like: money comes and goes, like the weather, you can't control it. And then money gets mixed up with feelings of shame and rage and grief, so it's hard to make the right decisions. Even now, I'm in a good financial situation, but I have to take deep calming breaths before I do my monthly budget, and remind myself that I control the money, it does not control me.