[mandalar12]

Thank you for saying that.

I would add that you need not to have ADHD, drug problems or gotten pregnant as a disadvantage: you might just come from a social/family background that encourages you to take a job as soon as you finish high school and you get stuck at you minimum wage job.

Then when your life becomes what sheltgor described, you don't have any perspective in your job, you can't afford moving or holidays. At that point you are used to not having much but you still want to spend it as you wish. Anyway what is the point of giving much into savings if you can't enjoy your life ? That's when the spending might get irrational (paying more for less, smoking, etc.).

[sheltgor]

Thanks for pointing that out; I didn't mean to imply that only people with serious advantages get left behind

"you might just come from a social/family background that encourages you to take a job as soon as you finish high school and you get stuck at you minimum wage job."

Not only that, but before finishing high school as well. A lot of people forget that 15% or so of adults (25 or older, I believe) don't have a high school diploma or GED.