Great Ways to Become Poor and Stay Poor

June 1 by | 47 comments | Lifestyle | Tags: , , , , , , , ,

20090601-poor

Nobody plans to become poor and yet a great many people end up poor.  Here are some of the best known ways of ensuring a life of penury:

1.  ‘We don’t need no education…’

If you drop out of school or fail to achieve a basic education then you will severely restrict your chances of employment.  What is more it is difficult to acquire further skills if you lack the basic ones.  However this method does not guarantee poverty as there are some exceptional people who, because of sheer hard work or innate ability, succeed despite little formal education.

2.  Develop an addiction.

Addictions are good ways to squander wealth and health.  Cocaine and heroin are fast routes to perdition.  Gambling works really well too.  The time-honoured choice is alcoholism which has ruined many a career and relationship.  Yet there are exceptions.  A tiny number of habitual gamblers win, some alcoholics can function for a long time.  In the end the addiction usually wins.

3.  Never save.

Savings help build wealth so a good plan for long-term poverty is to blow any extra earnings or bonuses on having a good time.

4.  Borrow.

Borrowing to buy a house or get a degree can be an investment but borrowing for vacations, cars and general consumption is not very smart.  A good way to beome penniless is to max out your credit cards and keep borrowing more until the repayments overwhelm you.

5.  Go directly to jail.

A proven way to avoid success is to get involved in crime, particularly early in life,  and end up in jail where you can waste the years that could have been spent acquiring an education and useful skills.  Petty criminals find it hard to get jobs, build relationships or retain wealth.  Of course some criminals end up rich but they risk being eliminated by rivals.

6.  Stay in a dead-end low-paid job.

A low-paid job is fine if you really enjoy what you do or if it is a route to something better.  But many people hate what they do and earn barely enough money to survive.  They are reluctant to take a risk, to learn new skills or to try something new.  They stay on a road that leads nowhere.

7.  Avoid work altogether.

Some unfortunate people are too ill to work but many able bodied people make a decision to live on benefits and to avoid work.  Perhaps they intend to marry a movie star or to win the lottery but working their way up is not part of the plan.

8.  Be born in the third world.

If you are one of the millions born in very poor countries with no human rights, no education or healthcare and a repressive regime then you face enormous difficulties in escaping a life of poverty.  Some do but the vast majority are condemned to extreme hardship.

If you are fortunate enough to live in a developed country then you need to avoid plans 1 to 7 above and then maybe do something to help those caught in number 8.

Paul Sloane is an author and speaker on leadership, innovation and lateral thinking. His most recent book is The Innovative Leader. He helps organizations improve innovation, creativity and leadership. He is the founder of Destination Innovation. He has written 15 books of lateral thinking puzzles and hosts the lateral puzzles forum. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/PaulSloane.

  • http://virtualworldbusiness.com Todd Borst

    These days, just having access to the internet is resource enough for education and money making.

    I absolutely love the spirit of your last point.

  • http://debowen.typepad.com/8hours/ Deb Owen

    Believe that just thinking about it, makes something happen. Don’t take any action. Just wait. It will all come to you.

    (My addition to the list. ;-) )

    All the best!
    deb

  • http://ActAsIfBlog.com Joe Lavelle

    Items 1-7 occur by choice. Great posts like this will hopefully keep people from making poor choices, but those of us with a passion to make a difference must lecture, coach, mentor, teach, etc every day.

    Bravo! And always Act As If It Were Impossible to Fail!

  • Dude

    Guilty of 1,5,7….. and I’m a well paid, respected senior developer! Even #2 for a while.

    Main thing I NEVER did was take Deb Owen’s advice or believe that those things could hold me back.

    “Around here, however, we don’t look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things… and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”

    “If you can dream it, you can do it. Always remember that this whole thing was started with a dream and a mouse.”

    –Walt Disney

    Good luck to you all.

    • Sam

      Oh ya i remember hiring those who spent their vacations in jail as "developers" I am assuming you are a software developer AKA programming monkey. They "don't need no formal education" requirements because the Americans are desperate and salivating for programmers. They don't care if you are an axe murderer. Why? All because we have to satisfy the Americans appetite for Ipods or Ppods – whatever the hell you call this portable boom box/ TV/ computer in a fancy wrapper lol…

      Funny how things like Ipods excite us so much, just to listen to the latest music – Justin Bieber or Eminem.

      2012 will cure all our ills. Adios~

  • http://www.doodledoll.com timgray

    MOST Americans do not save and borrow for everything Credit card debt is a badge of honor!

    reversing the belief that more shiny things at home = success… That’s something that needs to be done.

  • http://eldietario.com Miguel de Luis

    I also love the last point; there is poverty that is born of injustice, there is a poverty that is born of bad choices and perhaps a deal of bad luck. We can’t always save the world or avoid bad luck, but we can be smart with our decisions.

  • e

    oh please as if access to health care and education comes so easily in so-called developed countries of the u.s. and canada. like it’s only third world countries where human rights are trampled on by the state or corporate interests.

  • Andrew Wilson

    Another great way to stay poor is to get divorced. Studies have consistenly shown that having a two parent home is across the board associated with chidrens’ success in school; a two parent families save more, have less debt. And children of intact families are much more likely to have children who remain married, which adds to their future success.

  • Joe Watson

    Think that you are more than a bit behind the times and condescending on your views of developing countries. Due to the exchange rates being a professional in a developing country means that you will live at a high standard of living and luxury and often servants whereas the same profession in a developing is being transfered there or you start to accept poverty wages. Time to wake up and smell the exchange rate. Being poor and uneducated in any country sucks, including developed ones. People go hungry now in developed countries too, just check out what happened in Japan in this last downturn with 50 year olds eating one meal a day trying to do whatever part time work they could. And please don’t get sick in the USA, it is the quickest route to bankrupcy we’ve got with our privatized for profit dump you if we can healthcare.

  • http://www.smarttodolist.com Scott

    Good list. But, how do you buy a car without borrowing? Pretty difficult unless you buy something pretty old, which isn’t what I would want to put my children in when traveling.

  • http://www.eccesignum.org John from GR
  • http://eagleinmotion-en.blogspot.com johnsoncn005

    Good intention, but unfortunately it’s somewhat offensive… You should always watch your words…

  • http://www.dillahacpa.com Jan Dillaha

    Two comments.

    To the list I would like to add 9) Have children before you are ready to fully accept the responsibility.

    Two those who have trouble thinking about avoiding debt. I bought or leased cars most of my adult life. I now drive a lovely 12 year old car that I paid cash for. If you make a commitment to save, you can pay for anything without borrowing. A 25 year old man lived at home, worked 3 jobs and saved like a maniac. He bought the home across the street from us last fall. He didn’t borrow a dime.

    I bet that 40 years from now he will be better off than many MBAs his age.

  • http://www.newspapergirl.com Janet Meiners Thaeler

    Great list! I sent out a tweet on Twitter about it. Someone added to the list: get sick. If you get a chronic or life-threatening disease you might not be able to work and have a higher chance of being poor.

    -Janet

  • Mary

    Are you serious? “Be born in the third world”? First of all, this is not something anyone can control, you are born where you are born. Second of all, just because you are born in a third world does not doom you to failure in life. Why does being born in a third world country equate to being poor? Do you think there aren’t different social classes in a third world country? Do you think being born in a third world automatically renders one helpless and poor?
    Let’s be clear here, no one wants to be born in a third world country. But do you honestly believe that being BORN in a third world country means you are screwed?
    Oh, and since you can’t control being born in a third world country, why didn’t you add on the list being born with a mental retardation? That’s not something you can control either. Just a thought.

  • http://john.onolan.org JohnONolan

    Pathetic. I dropped out of school, I’m addicted to cigarettes, I have no savings, and I have borrowed – and you know what? I run my own business employing multiple people internationally, I have my own house, car, garden, and dogs – and I’m set to make a *very* healthy profit in my first year of trading.

    You know who else committed multiple items from your little list? Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, and Tim Ferriss to name just a few.

    Unsubscribed.

  • http://www.coachmelanieroum.com Melanie Roum

    Certainly these things have a negative effect on your wallet. I would add “Don’t read educational materials.”

    Furthermore, I’d focus my actions on the things that need to be done to become rich!

    I recommend reading “The Science of Getting Rich” by Wallace D. Wattles

  • http://www.destination-innovation.com Paul Sloane

    I am glad my article provoked some lively responses. The key point is that items 1 to 7 are choices – bad choices. They do not guarantee poverty but they are good ways to get there nonetheless. Item 8 is not a choice. In general someone born in the USA, Canada or Western Europe has much better opportunities than someone born in Somalia, Zimbabwe or North Korea for instance. Yet many people squander those opportunities by making bad choices.

  • James

    Wow @ #8, I live in the Philippines and it’s considered a 3rd world country

    I honestly hope you were being sarcastic with this one. If not, you can go to hell

  • ann

    The last one did not impressed me at all. It’s untrue and completely offensive! It’s a moronic factor of the so-called thing you say “becoming poor”

  • LT

    You should probably add “Lack of consideration / social tact / manners” to your list as well. Without following the basic norms of society, no one will take you seriously, you will be left penniless, and will have nothing to lean back on. Case in point: the future you.

    Besides being blatantly obvious, your list, especially #8, is quite offensive. I suppose all people in third-world countries chose to be there and to be poor.

    I come to Lifehack.org to learn from and perhaps emulate better thinkers, but you are definitely in need of some sort of therapy.

    I really do hope Lifehack does not allow you to post again. I’m really unimpressed and hope you come to your senses soon. Your lack of professionalism is almost vulgar.

    Oh, and I’m just curious, what have you done for third-world countries besides mock them with your list?

  • LT

    A better alternative to #8 would’ve been “waste opportunities”. You’re absolutely true about people squandering chances because of bad choices, but you made a bad choice in the way you delivered the message.

    A smarter way would’ve been to parallel the many chances the average American (or developed-nation citizen) is given against the lack of a opportunities a third world citizen is given.

    Instead, you chose to belittle those born in third world countries, generalizing that they are all poor.

    Smart move.

  • LT

    It’s funny how my first two comments weren’t approved. Censorship anyone?

    The last “tip” is unprofessional and unbecoming of anyone worthy of posting for LifeHack.org.

    I suggest you seek professional help, or your insensitivity will be your downfall.

    What have you done to help those born in the third-world besides mock them? I sure hope LifeHack comes to its senses and doesn’t let you post ever again.

  • DanGTD

    It’s unfortunatelly that the last one exists, but it’s true. Malcolm Gladwell studied it extensively in his last book, Outliers.

  • http://www.dwax.org Dustin Wax

    LT: You weren’t “Censored” – I moderate comments once a day (more often when I can) and your comments went into the moderation queue, most likely because you haven’t commented here much before. As a ge3neral rule, I approve every comments, whether they’re positive or negative, unless they are a) way off-topic, b) clearly spam, or c) use strongly foul language. You should find all your comments from the last day or so posted to the site now. Thanks for commenting.

  • LT

    Dustin Wax: Sweet deal. Human eyes read these?! Uh oh…

  • http://www.cub3d.co.uk Eddy

    i certainly do not agree with you on the last point, i am from a third world country and i have seen farmers richer than your average engineer in the uk. of course i have the opportunity of studying abroad(and avoiding 1-7 above) but being born in the third world does not necessarily reduce your chances of making it big.
    the sad part is that majority of 3rd world populations believe that they are destined to be poor, which results in them being stuck in a rut all their lives. its a change of attitude that we all need, furthermore, the greatest inventions and businesses sufficed as a necessity in disadvantaged situation, being born poor is just an opportunity to think big and do great, at least thats what i believe, and it has certainly taken me further than i could have imagined.
    nice article though.

  • Jason

    Success in life does not mean gaining and retaining wealth unless, that was your only goal; how sad. One can be successful in life and not be wealthy.

  • Jason

    Alas, those 8 things you cite make poverty an almost certainty.

  • http://personalwebguide.com/ Travis

    Why are people getting so offended over this list? Just because you commit one of the first 7 acts that obviously doesn’t mean you’re going to live a life of poverty, yet they’re ALL valid points. That being said, obviously those first 7 points ARE going to be detrimental to you, lets be serious here. Not having a savings? Being in debt? Having an addiction? Don’t be stupid, nobody said just because you fall into those guidelines that you’re a failure, yet they’re certainly going to work towards pulling you down instead of up.

    As for #8, I don’t think he meant it in an offensive manner, I think he was just stating the obvious. People in third world countries will undoubtedly have it harder because of their surroundings and obstacles, not because they’re “inferior.”

  • tharindu

    To Travis: people are offended because #8 is not a choice one can make. and therefore it just dont fit with the other facts pointed out here.if he was stating the obvious, he would have stated born in a surrounding which promotes poorness. so it wont be pointing a finger towards the 3rd world. as you all know, even in a developed country, people born in bad environments are averagely poor. if the post was written in that manner no body would have been offended. the posted should have thought twice before picking his words.

  • Wale

    Nice list, especially No 8. I’m from a third world country and now live in the United States. I think people should write more about the condition in third world countries. Young people are losing hope back there due to the lack of avenues to make use of their talents. It’s unfortunate but it’s true.

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  • http://www.trucklocator.co.uk Used Trucks

    This is depressing…couldnt you write an article about how to get rich instead :)

  • Franco

    #8 is the most irritating thing that i’ve seen on the internet. (I’m in Argentina, imagine how that feels)

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  • Luis

    For a really educated person who has a very impresive resume and Wins his life teaching people “how to think” you demostrate that you don’t think very well what you put on a paper….first 7 points I totally agree but make a generalization that everyone who lives in a 3rd World Country are pre-determined to poverty is the most narrow, unreallistic, out of the true idea I ever read, for us in any so-called “3rd World” country is insulting and disgusting.

    I live, and I have to say, proudly live in Costa Rica (do you even know where in the map I am?), a small country, no army at all (all the money you develop country expend on weapons we spend it on education and public health (how about that?), and with a country full of natural wealth, we may be can’t have a 2010 car fully loaded, but we live a really good life even the not rich people.

    We have poverty all right, but we are not 100% poor people here, we have good and bad as everyone, but all countries has good things and bad things, name Argentina, Venezuela, or Asian countries.

    It is better to look for the good than to the bad, so please be more educated and polite with people of other countries before you insult the traditions, way of living or your beliefs.

  • Teresa

    Wow, people are in an uproar about #8. I really don’t think he means if you are subjected to anything one thing on the list you are doomed for poverty, I think it’s more like the “Don’t Follow Me” program, anyone remeber that in school; prisioners tell you “don’t follow me.” Well #*8 is something you can’t avoid but it CAN BE a draw back in success, not permenatley though. I like the post. I just read some of Napoleon Hill’s “Think and Grow Rich” so I have been combing the internet for various version and ideas on how to improve ones finances. At 28 I have given in two of the #’s; 1 and 3. But guess what it’s not permenate, I started college for the first time this fall, yay for me, but I have no savings. lol

  • I will comment

    OMG so much about #8

    People who satisfy the conditions described in #8 have more chances to also satisfy conditions (1-6) especially: get addicted to substances, become criminals, end up in forced labor and/or very low paying jobs, and borrowing from loansharks which would either get them killed or force them to commit murder.

    It really is next to impossible for them to crawl out of that ditch, sometimes it looks like they’re even resolved to digging their own graves. Truly heartbreaking

    Oh yeah, I live in a third world country :)

    I think what Paul only meant to say about (singling out and/or)including the “third world” to make a point is that westerners are really fortunate and it really is such a shame that people carelessly waste away their resources. He didn’t become subjective or personal about the third world like saying that people there are indolent or whatever “below-the-belt” remarks.

    As a writer, I think he was saving the point that would make the most impact for the last point. After all, it is very sobering.

    Kudos for this in-your-face blog, some people really need this :)

  • I will comment

    one more thing, I’m Filipino BTW

    My country may be an NIC (Newly Industrialized Country) but that’s about it, when it comes economically.

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  • http://www.ascendrecovery.com Drug Rehab Utah

    WOW, what a great article. So much truth and nowhere for the faint to hide. Simply follow the steps and live a rich life as a poor man.

  • Alexa

    I’ve been reading your blog for a while, and though I get that this is supposed to be sort of a joke, it comes off as very condescending.

    “Hey stupid people, don’t do these things!”

    I dropped out of high school when I was fifteen. I’m currently twenty one and financially secure. I live on my own in a very nice apartment, have a decent emergency fund, well-stocked bank account, no debt, and a great car that I paid $5000 cash for. Keep in mind that no friends or family helped me at all, and I occasionally loan money to my parents and siblings.

    For me, high school was a waste of time. I learn faster and more efficiently on my own time, condensing several years of “education” into several months.

    Dropping out definitely doesn’t your future in the slightest.

  • Sam

    Americans don't even know where to spend their money. They go and buy fully loaded Toyota Camrys , eat $10 burgers or go to Miley Cyrus concerts.

    Be in debt, but do it wisely lol…

  • http://martinlecter.com/2010/10/10-ways-to-become-more-educated/ How To Become More Educated

    Interesting take on the whole topic. When most stuff you see is “how to become rich online”, reading something like this is quite refreshing..

  • guest

    u r mistaken. cause um working on my bachelor in business, which gives me enough knowledge to succeed in my life, and saving a lot of money at the same time…