That was a common meme about the poor repeated by the rich. It still lives, sometimes in a more sophisticated form, eg. poor people don't know how to manage spending, not buying in bulk, not taking advantage of discounts, etc., when in reality, in practice, most things cost more when you are poor because you can't afford to wait for good opportunities, and people are actually doing the best they can it their circumstances.
Also, if anything, I find that people who are lower-middle class tend to be better with their money than many of the "elite" -- not better as in taking advantage of unattainable economic tools, but perhaps more conservative with purchases, and such.
