I honestly don't see how his story relates to the vast majority of impoverished households. The beginning of his downfall was him choosing a pension at age 53 to pursue a feelance journalist lifestyle in another country. Ok, now tell me, how many people have access to this pension? The travel opportunity? And the medical insurance that goes along with it? I'm talking about average Americans here. Anyone close to the edge of poverty with a pension these days shouldn't be worried so much about THIS guy's life mistakes, but their pension blowing up-a la Teamsters right now-and prepping for that. BTW, this guy collected pension and SS benefitsand had a 401k? How the eff did his annual income get down to 12k? I get he got swindled out of some of his money, but damn. Maybe time to move to a LCOL city/state and make do with what you have. 1 bed/bath apt here in CA goes for $1500, down in Vegas try $6-800 The waiting room without a white face but his IS the face of poverty right now. Regardless of race.