Of course; you would think it's lack of savings, lack of income, lack of rich family, ...<p>> <i>But psychology research says the opposite might be the case: poverty makes it hard for people to care about the future and forces them to live in the present.</i><p>This piece of insight is so old and well-worn that it goes by glib names, like <i>the vicious cycle of poverty</i>.<p>The "permanent now" is also traditionally called "(living) from paycheck to paycheck" or "from hand to mouth".<p>If you have nothing, it's very hard to get anywhere <i>just</i> by delaying gratification. There has to be something in place that accumulates or appreciates in value while you delay.