<prompt> Human: Hello everyone. After much hard work and determination, I have finally scored a decent job where all my needs are met. Id like to start a discussion about a problem I have encountered, as Im sure theres many other people in this same position that would benefit from this. Im talking specifically about the poverty mindset. When I type this, I mean a few different things by it. As such, Ill provide a few examples. Buying cheap instead of buying quality items that are made to last. A specific example would be buying a cheap 10 pair of shoes instead of some better, 100 shoes made to last for much longer. Making gambles on your health, like eating instant ramen noodles every day instead of buying fresh fruits and vegetables that are good for you and your long term health. Asking yourself if you can just wait on a much needed purchase, even though you know you have the cash for it. Holding onto every single penny when you should be investing, just in case.This is mainly about stupid decisions that are only smart when you are poor and do not have disposable income. Id like to know: 1. How have you have gotten over these metal barriers? 2. How has it effected you emotionally? 3. Does this form of thinking ever go away? If not, what are some proactive measure we can take to help?Looking forward to the responses!  <response>: I can definitely relate. After living in poverty for 5 years, I now make significantly above US median. I watched every dollar, and still could barely make ends meet. My recurring issues are slightly different though. I buy fresh food, because honestly, it isnt that expensive. I still eat way more beans and rice, ramen with eggs and greens, stuff filled with onions and potatoes than I have to with my income. Prepared food, meat that isnt on sale, eating out, etc. still present a bit of a problem. The only thing I do is go to bars, and I still drink cheap beer and well drinks.I am homeless. That isnt a joke. I spend between 50 and 65 of my time working on the road and my brain just will not let me pay rent. I couchsurf, stay in spare rooms, even get hotels on priceline to pay less than I would in rent. I have been doing this for 3 years.I do not buy many things. I have gotten more in to the buy it for life mentality when I do, but I rarely buy anything, so... yeah. And I struggle with buyers remorse when making purchases. Usually I just try to remind myself the reasons I am buying the item, and how much it would cost to buy it multiple times.I am super debt averse. In the last 3 years I have paid down a ridiculous amount of debt, both student and other. All I have left are student loans at less than 3.5 and despite anything I read about how I dont need to be paying it off, I still do. I will be done with them at the end of next month.I dont have a problem investing. If anything, I should hold more liquid assets. My emergency fund and checking account have been the same -1k for two years now. Everything else goes into my 401k and paying debt. I had no retirement set up prior to this job, and the Ineed to catch up mentality is just too damn strong.People think I am nuts. I fear I am gonna be that guy hiding gold all over his house, dying wearing a thrifted 3 pair of pants and a 50 cent shirt while having a few million stashed away. It seems to have gotten better over time, but sometimes despite knowing I am in good financial shape I cant make good decisions because it fails some ridiculous cost benefit analysis in my head. But it is easier than it used to be, and my insanity HAS put me in really good financial shape.It does get better, but you have to try. And you have to not go too far the other way. 