This effect is reinforced by the fact that a lot of the goods that the poor might really look forward to having, such as a refrigerator or bicycle or admission to a better school for their child, are relatively expensive, with the result that when they have a little bit of money in hand, the temptation goods are in an excellent position to stake their claim (You’ll never really save enough for that refrigerator, the voice in your ear insists. Have a cup of tea instead …). The result is a vicious circle: Saving is less attractive for the poor, because for them the goal tends to be very far
...more
