That's what I like about Rotten, he knew it was all just a big joke, and he just sat back and laughed at everybody that took him seriously.....now that's punk.
He's also a millionaire real estate investor.
While it may "be" punk to be poor, it isn't cool to CHOOSE to remain poor. And Johnny is wise enough to point out in his autobiography that peers WILL pull down a friend if he becomes too successful (even a smart student with dumb friends).