[swatcoder]

I don’t think you’re aware of how much any capable person can procure for themselves and their peers, throughout almost all of global history.

Peasants may not maintain secure access to everything, but historically it doesn’t take wealth to have a sturdy shelter, water, warmth, and food, and even some luxuries. It’s a little different in modern times, but those basics were mostly available to everyone just through labor and time, of which peasants have quite a lot.

[badpun]

Besides everything else, you also need to not be taxed into oblivion. Which wasn’t a rare practice in premodern times.