You don’t have time to do those things if you are poor and working 2-3 jobs. Properly budgeting and analyzing costs takes a lot of time, and unexpected expenses and cost of living increases destroy your budget a lot more than McDonald’s.

> You don’t have time to do those things if you are poor and working 2-3 jobs

I know multiple folks who did this. Poor people aren’t mentally deficient. (Often they’re sturdier than those of us who grew up comfortably enough.)

> unexpected expenses and cost of living increases destroy your budget a lot more than McDonald’s

This is correct. But it’s true for most Americans when we consider medical debt.

Budgeting and analyzing spending and risk is still sensible.

Most poor humans managed to store food for the winter prior to the industrial revolution avoid overeating and draining their stores. I'm sure the poor 2-3 job worker can meal prep with cheap easy meals.

> Properly budgeting and analyzing costs takes a lot of time

For family? Not really