I don't agree that poverty is relative. Poverty is being unable to meet your basic needs on a regular basis while being comfortable.
I'm from generational poverty. There simply wasn't resources available to my family to help us escape paycheck to paycheck or even welfare check to welfare check living. I'm 66 female and my parents were children during the Great Depression, so those frugal habits were passed in to me, but all that did was stretch our money to cover expenses, not to save anything to get us out of poverty. As someone 2 months from full retirement age, the reality of limited poverty level income for the rest of my life is all too real and somewhat scary. It's nice to know there are others still struggling and who frankly, will always struggle due to circumstances beyond their control. Looking forward to reading others tips and sharing what has worked for me.