Give poor people money and they tend to spend it well. 19 independent studies have agreed that giving extra cash to the poor does not result in increased expenditures for cigarettes or alcohol. When the poor are given money for a specific purpose, they tend to spend it on that purpose, like education, housing, or health care. Even without a specific directive, having more money provides hope which encourages planning and acting for a better future. Vices may be a measure of a lack of hope rather than a cause of poverty. As a result, giving the poor extra money actually reduces the use of vices. Helping the poor may be easier than many social programs suggest. Give the poor money and let them decide what they need most because they have the best understanding of their needs.
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Pretending Not To Panic 