I'll try a serious question for ATOT.....

[Svnla]

I came to the US years ago (20 years +) without ANY money, not even a penny in my pocket so I was less than "pennyless". All I had then were clothes on my back, a plastic bag (not two), sandals (not shoes) and a determination to do anything legally to get ahead.

Today I am not wealthy by any means but I am making good money with good career because I studied hard and went to college for underdgrad and grad degrees by my own (no daddy or mommy money or set aside/affirmative programs).

If you really want to do something, you can do it IF you put your mind and just do it. It won't be easy and it could be a pita but if you can't do it in the US, I am not sure you can do it anywhere else.

 

[IGBT]

..for the vast majority the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

 

[Kelemvor]

Life is what you make of it.

Obviously having a certain upbringing will get you off to a better r worse start compared to other people, but there's so many things people can get into these days and it's so easy to go from place to place, job to job, etc, that I don't think it makes that much difference any more.

 

[ultimatebob]

No. Two words to prove my point... Britney Spears!

 

[LtPage1]

Originally posted by: DnetMHZ
Yes, of course.

Yeah, really. Where are you from, Tsarist Russia? Social mobility isn't exactly a new phenomenon.

 

[Epic Fail]

Originally posted by: ultimatebob
No. Two words to prove my point... Britney Spears!

but can you stay rich?

 

[lizardth]

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi
According the all the fortune cookies I've eaten over the years great things are going to happen...they just haven't yet.

As for the answer: Growing up in a lower-income home can actually work as incentive to break into the middle-class or upper middle-class. The key elements here though are getting an education and finding a solid job, sometimes just being lucky, or being a good entrepreneur.

Those who have the will can find a way.(that could also be in a more literal sense if you have a wealthy relative die) So, it's very possible. As for changing WHO you are. That's not so easy. If you lose your roots, so to speak, your well-being is going to be less stable and you'll be more likely to have a mental backlash. This could cause you to be less happy and money wouldn't really help enrich your life. Good fortune, wealth, and happiness are much better when you have all three.

Thank you! Maybe he'll quit picking at this scab now! *GOSH*

 

[amdhunter]

There's always the lotto.

 

[Alistar7]

Originally posted by: Svnla
I came to the US years ago (20 years +) without ANY money, not even a penny in my pocket so I was less than "pennyless". All I had then were clothes on my back, a plastic bag (not two), sandals (not shoes) and a determination to do anything legally to get ahead.

Today I am not wealthy by any means but I am making good money with good career because I studied hard and went to college for underdgrad and grad degrees by my own (no daddy or mommy money or set aside/affirmative programs).

If you really want to do something, you can do it IF you put your mind and just do it. It won't be easy and it could be a pita but if you can't do it in the US, I am not sure you can do it anywhere else.

:thumbsup: