Why being poor prevents you from saving money

Here is a special conundrum that is relevant to lower-income city dwellers. Because such people lack the means of making major purchases, we/they get stuck in a cycle of paying more than necessary for many things. For example, obesity is rampant in inner cities. This is because supermarkets stay away from these places, and convenience stores open up instead. In my neighbourhood, near the university, the nearest Superstore (the cheapest supermarket) is a good hour away by transit, and it's extremely difficult to lug all those groceries home. Urban dwellers who are poorer than me are stuck buying potato chips and pop for their calories, even though a potato cooked at home is cheaper and more nutritious.

Additionally, I have noticed that a sewing machine will save your financial life. You can fix things, you can recycle things to make new things, you can make brand new things, you can even make things to sell or fix things for other people for a price. But who can afford a sewing machine? I was lucky enough to get one as an engagement gift (apparently people give engagement gifts!) so this is how I know such things. It is not as difficult to operate as it looks, and it's loads of fun. But someone who has to literally count every dime is unlikely to be able to shell out the cash for one, even second hand.

I think these situations are unfair, although I do not know what to do about them.

I also want to add that the Safeways closest the university, as well as close to the Downtown Eastside, are way the hell more expensive that the Safeway across the street from me at Broadway and MacDonald, a ritzier area. The DTES ones actually increase their prices on Welfare Wednesday. This is just evil.