This is it, my friend! I'm 50 and my parents didn't save a dime for my education. They helped with it somewhat when the time came but I started with a small trust fund of $5,000 and student loans. Other than that, I worked while in school. But, you make a very good point, and not to stereotype but look at the jewish people; they save for their kids education, they teach their kids to save, they teach them all of the important stuff and it continues through the generations. They don't say, "if I go to college", they say, "when I go to college". Not going to college for them is NOT an option so they plan for it the same way you plan to go to high school or anything else.

It's extremely difficult to break that cycle of poverty if you don't have the means to do so. I'm only making $44K a year right now and I feel blessed. I have MUCH more than many people and I'm truly grateful.