That's true While the Pirces are the poorest family we see in Austen, at least as main actors in the drama, they are not really DESPERATELY poor. They do have a small income from Mr P's half pay.. they have the "status" of 2 maids helping out so they are not IMO so much shrot of money as of good management. But Mrs P isnt a manager.. she's like Lady B and isn't energetic. She is lazy, and not very clever and I dont blmae her, personally for not being perfect. She could problaby have managed better and with that, and wtih some help from the Bertrams, the Prices would have been OK, but she doesn't have the innate ability for managing and she's probalby worn out from too many children, an unhelpful husband etc.