There are factors in poverty that are beyond people's control. There are other factors that are, very much, within one's ability to control, that enable folks to resist falling into poverty and utter destitution:
1. Abstain from alcohol and drugs. Alcohol and drugs are poverty-makers.
2. Abstain from sexual activity outside of marriage. Child support is tough to pay and tough to live on. The decision to have children out of wedlock is a devastating one, economically.
3. Get married and stay married to a stable person. Divorce is economically devastating. If someone's beating you, using drugs, committing crimes, etc., that's a reason to bail. If you've just "outgrown one another" or "fallen out of love", you NEED to stay married for a variety of reasons, but economic stability is a big reason (especially if you have kids). The two-income advantage is a necessity these days.
4. Don't get arrested, and don't become a felon. This will kill your earning power fast and for a long time.
5. If you are working for a large organization, full-time, with benefits, you need to think long and hard before you change jobs, especially if you're desiring to "go into business" or you want a change. Married couples that stay at such jobs, even with only high school diplomas, or only some community college, are often in better shape at 30 than some college grads.
Nothing is a guarantee. But my money is on the folks who are able to delay gratification and tolerate frustration to succeed and not on the "dreamers" who "follow their heart". Successful people LEAD their heart; I'm a firm believer in that. Not everyone will be mega-rich, but there is a difference between being stable and being one step away from the homeless shelter.
