Fully agree, just can't get my spouse on board. I have a paid off house, paid off car, minimal expenses, no debt, and save like a bandit. But I pay $635 a month for health insurance and my husband pays $300 (he has a job AND Medicare), and between taxes, insurance, utilties, and home upkeep we easily spend $900 a month on a modest home. Once you are on a fixed income, you have to watch every dime - even if you are a debt-free, responsible citizen whose saved for a lifetime and/or has a pension. The only way to be comfortable in this country is to be a millionaire or have a huge salary.