I think the fact that the 'essay' had so many things that are not because of being poor, it took away from the real horrors of being truly poor. (IE lacking the neccessities of life)
And I think the atitude of 'poor me' is part of the problem with many, 'poor me my shoes arn't X brand' humph, that ain't a real problem with money it is a problem with greed (yours and the company making them)
Priceplus and Jaksilee both have real stories of being poor, food being scarce. I actually don't, while I can't say I liked what the food bank gave, I can say we always had plenty of something to eat. (though I think needing the food bank counts as poor) And we always had a place to stay, beyond that I was spoiled with love attention and what luxuries we got really counted. (course holes in jeans WERE fashionable in my youth
.)