The freedom to make choices, and the knowledge of your choices.<p>Sure, you just described a lack of knowledge...  But she ALSO had the financial freedom to make the choices she wanted.<p>That&#x27;s well above &quot;poor&quot; in my mind.<p>You&#x27;re describing someone who thought they were poor.  Sure, yup, some people are there.  But many people are ACTUALLY poor - and the claim was that it&#x27;s better to be ACTUALLY POOR TODAY, than RICH twenty years ago.  I don&#x27;t buy it.