Why do poor people drive SUVs and have cellphones?

I am a college graduate who works at a smoothie place because I can't find a job.

I work with people who live in the ghetto and use their paychecks to pay their rent, buy food for their family and stuff like that. Yet all these people have cellphones with monthly plans and pickup trucks or SUVs that chug gas. Even worse, they drive several miles from the ghetto every day to go to work.

The worst part is that they're always broke, but they always have their cellphone, digital camera and talk about how their truck takes up a lot of gas and it's expensive.

WHY ARE YOU DRIVING A TRUCK GIVEN YOUR SITUATION STUPID?!

I live in the affluent area, live at home, but I have a Civic with excellent mileage, no cellphone and try to keep my monthly liabilities down as much as possible. Why can't these idiots at least try to do that?

They don't even have prepaid cheap phones, they have the ones with expensive monthly plans! So stupid!

These people aren't driving brand-new Jeep Grand Cherokees or Ford Explorers, more like old used pickup trucks and SUVs from the early 90's.

Some have newer GM/Chevrolet cars that aren't reliable and drink gas, which is pretty stupid too.

The poorer ones with the trucks should trade them in for more economical cars, but I guess they can't figure that out...

the real question you are asking is why are you responsible when there is irresponsiblity all around you. it would appear that you were raised or taught yourself the value of a dollar and that you also are not caught up in the bizzare thing I call "American $$$ culture." there isn't much behind the bling and you know that.

press forward and get your master's degree if you don't already have it. or just keep pursuing that job. there is one out there for you! in the mean time continue to keep your costs low and continue with that mind frame for the long term. when you are older it will serve you well. imagine the people you are talking about when they are older and have no pension, 401k or savings of any kind????

$$$ the bling culture is all smoke and mirrors yet people from all walks of life buy into it. there is woman i work with who has no pension because she borrowed it when her husband lost his job...she didn't want to change her lifestyle. so her 17 year old pension went up in smoke at resturants and on clothes. it is crazy. keep your head on straight and don't ponder the $$$party mentality too much. neither of us will ever understand it.

I wouldn't worry so much

MOST people who drive them are usually drug dealers

poor people likes to dress rich, while the richest person may be a bum

that is why they live in the ghetto,all that money for the luxuries,little money for a good place to live.just be glad you have parents and you can live at home.and yes some of them are probably drug dealers,you shouldnt worry about material needs.money is not the key to happiness.

Well, you said it first, they go to work. Then, I guess, status in the material world is more important then having a place to live, eat, cloth your child.

Yeah, I see people who make less money than even me and wonder how they get to go shopping all the time and have things like multiple cell phones, cable, internet, etc. I haven't a clue. I have to work my butt off just to have internet and I need it for schooling.

stop promoting monoculture. different people find different things important or worthy of their notice. i for one don't measure value by miles-per-gallon or your fiscal habits.

I'll tell you why! Because the working class of America, like you and I are paying for those poor idiots, who know how to use the system to keep getting money from the government. And that is our hard earned cash, which we pay tax. When you see this poor black woman with no man, 5 kids, and one on the way, what do you think is going on? She will get more of our money, per child. It's ridiculous.

They do that and more here on welfare. Don't have to waste money driving to work.

ahaha omg i've seen that one too many times. yea i'd have to agree they are probably druggies, how else could you afford to buy a SUV and all the other luxuries simply by working at a smoothie place.

Good that your being a bit economical, it'll help you in the long run. it sucks though that college graduates have to resort to those kind of jobs, i hope that wont happen with me, i really hope you find a better job.

We live in a materialistic society. Success is determined by "bling." I think these (and others) have the impression if you display the outward trappings of wealth, then you're really successful. They're no different from the upper-middle-class professionals who live in affluent suburbs with multiple mortgages on their houses, a high credit card balance, and virtually no savings. So being judgemental towards "these people" is unncecessary. They're aping the rest of us.

why worry about them?? It's their life not yours. You are doing what you are happy with. If they cry to you about not having money then tell them what you think like you did up there

I don't know, but you are so right. But then again, it is their business. Whatever. Bottom line: you're right.

They probably sell drugs and cheat on welfare

Because They just look like there POOR but they really Are'nt, they just want more money.

Funny too that usually millionaires drive around in used vehicles........But I wouldn't worry too much about it. In time you're job will come and in a few years you will be moving up while they are still in the ghettos.

Some people seem to have their priorities confused. I guess they can't live without their trinkets and toys. If you've ever paid attention to pictures of the people in the Sudan, you've probably noticed that even though they're starving, they still manage to have on a nice, shiny necklace. Don't you think that they could trade that useless necklace for a bit of food?

You and I both know it's federal assistance, aka - "welfare", that enables these people to do this. Cut off the hand-outs, and that Hummer will disappear.

Poor people buy goods with their retirement money and their children's inheritance. they try to look rich when they are getting themselves deeper and deeper into trouble. When you find that you have dug yourself into a pit, stop digging. but who is going to tell these morons.

Hi. first ...let me start by telling you about me and my poor self.....i studied thru the years and finally receive a high school diploma and a college degree...i ended up with a good city job. My first two cars were lemons meaning they were cheap and gradually i ended with the car of the year...only thru good credit i end up with a nice car of the year...that means i had monthly car note...the same with the cell phone ...they purchase nice phone but they have monthly payment. the same with the car insurance....and most of the time their parent co-sign for them for the car...so brand new cars are mostly leased or finance..or from drug dealers...So , don't discourage yourself your day will come....in the meantime you have money and they don't because they have to many bills to keep up...You too will have those things..an remember they are broke and you are not...good luck.

LIFE IS ABOUT LIVING. WHY ARE YOU BOTHER BY WHAT THE NEXT MAN HAS? THEY CAN NOT BE THAT POOR BECAUSE THEY HAVE SUV'S AND CELLPHONES. CELLPHONE PLANS ARE BASED ON THE INDIVIDUALS NEED.