If you’re a poor person and have wealthy friends, do you ever have to tell them to check their privilege?

I grew up poor and still experience poverty due to unexpected college debt, which ruined my credit score. I went to a pretty big college on grants and scholarships, and I met a lot of friends who were much better off than me financially. I’ve stayed in touch with a few of them because I love my friends no matter their background.

I notice a lot of the times, these friends don’t see life through the same lens as me & their perception of problems is different than mine. That’s ok with me, but I sometimes find myself having to tell them to check their privilege/practice gratitude.

For example, my friend is pursuing a higher degree and I’m so happy for him. However, each time we talk he has the same complaints about getting too many quick responses from schools, having to work on essays and etc. I get it, that stuff can be draining and I am supportive of them.

I finally reached a point today where I had to put it into perspective for them. Basically reminding them that “that’s kind of a good problem to have. Esp when there are people like me, who don’t and may never have the privilege to pursue any more formal education in their lifetime.”

I wasn’t trying to come off as minimizing their problems or as a bitter poor, but after thoughtfully listening them complain for a few weeks, I felt I needed to offer them that perspective.

Has anyone found themselves doing this? Is it a waste of time? Is it not my place since we all have differing struggles in life? Do wealthier people just not have empathy/those realizations when they complain to poor people?