[crdoconnor]

>Being poor does not make it very difficult to think long term

>I lived a significant portion of my life in pretty severe poverty

My experience suggests the opposite. Much like the study.

The fact that you suggested that it takes discipline, to me, also suggests that you felt the same uphill struggle to be able to do forward planning.

It takes no discipline for me to do forward planning these days. It's easy to focus on now that my income far outstrips my outgoings.

[msandford]

It's not that it's terribly difficult to think long term.

The problem is that any kind of plan which has a reasonable chance of building up some savings and giving you some financial stability involves sacrifice now, probably to a very painful degree.

In my view it's not the thinking that's the trouble but the execution. It's hard to not spend all your money full stop. Having less money means that any savings involves greater sacrifice.

[crdoconnor]

I don't believe you were ever actually in poverty.

The mindset I'm describing is one where you are forced to prioritize necessities - rent/food/electric bill, not one where you sacrifice all the small luxuries in order to be able to cover your necessities and save.