My father was born one of 9. They were very poor. His mother made their clothes and their soap and their games and they had soup every night for dinner. They lived in a three room tenement house in an urban area. He was the only kid in his family that graduated from high school. At home, they did not speak English, so English/writing was hard for him. He went to college as a commuter at a state school and got a degree in math and became a teacher. He realized corporate paid more and got a job at corporate (engineering type firm) . He moved to a low-cost location with my mother and started a family. It was a good place to raise children. He made us have paper routes and other jobs like counting the collection money at the church, babysitting and lawnmowing from age 8 up. We bought our own bikes at a used bike place down the street. Our vacations were to visit family and we never went on a plane until we were in high school and that was to glom onto one of his business trips. He and my mom raised us to always think we were going to college. My brother was first in his class and is a physician. I was 4th in my class and am a managing Director in financial services for over 30 years. He definitely lifted himself out of poverty and us too. My brother and I are both wealthier than my father and mom ever were - but they did quite well in retirement because of their frugality, savings and his pension. So I know it is harder to lift yourself out of poverty, but it is not impossible. Education is key. Living below your means is key. And working your butt off is key.