Not having any experience in being privileged, I can respond from the poverty side of things.

I have worked since I was 11 years old. I learned how to save. I learned how to make do. I learned how to survive anything that came my way. I credit my mother with her lessons to all of us kids in how to live on little money.

I've never had a high powered, high paying job. I've always taken jobs that interested me or gave me personal satisfaction. I have tried to make sure that all my skills are inter-related so when one job ended, another began with a solid foundation, even when it was in a different field.

There were times I worked four jobs at a time. I always volunteered my time, along with working, to assist my community.

I am not afraid of the doom and gloom that the news keeps blowing at us. I am not in the group of people this is going to affect. Yes, I lost money on my 403b, and on my little stock account, but it's all paper until I retire or I need it and I don't plan on that happening for at least 20 years.

Even if I lost my job, I am SURE that I could go out and get another job tomorrow to survive. If I had no job, I could still survive. I've done it before and I can do it again, if need be. I don't live beyond my means. I don't buy impulsively. I don't spend money on new things when I can make do with the old.

I think being raised in a home that taught me how to do things without a lot of money, and with parents who boosted my self confidence and told me I could do anything I set my mind to has made a HUGE difference in my life. They sent me out into the world confident in my ability to take care of myself and my family. I have remained a positive , happy person and for that I will always be grateful to them, fully believing that it will stand me in good stead no matter what life throws at me.