Does "Poverty is not a hindrance" statement still true nowadays

with the types of government funding and aide as well as personal grants and foundations (speaking on terms of educating the poor) this statement is true. My parents had bare minimum income and I was able to go to a four year University with grants, scholarships, and student loans. I think I know what you are saying. To me, yes money is needed to survive, but it boils down to how much is actually needed. Yeah, we all want a little extra in life, but is it really worth falling into debt and living on revolving credit like most Americans do. Most people who have huge beautiful homes, brand new cars, and all the other extras we crave may also have bare shelves and barely be able to pay the bills....all because they want that piece of pie. To me I do not feel impoverished if I can pay my bills, do a few things extra (eating out once and awhile,etc.) and go to sleep at night without cold sweats in fear. How long can someone live like that? And say they are happy? It's a mindset we need to change and our spending habits.