Thanks for writing the rare honest piece about how broken our economy is. I am a great example of someone who should be financially comfortable but isn't. House and both cars are paid off, husband retired with pension + SS check. We shouldn't need to both be working nearly full time--and yet we are. I also have a small pension but am putting off getting it because I'll get more if I wait till I'm older. Our neighbors, both 80, had long careers (she a nurse, he a manager) and are incredibly hard-working. Their house is paid off but their medical expenses keep piling up. They own one car. They chop their own wood, scrimp on everything, take great care of their house....but they've lived too long! My point here is: I thought when I paid off the house and cars I'd have it made in the shade! We are so lucky because we do save (really slowly)--yet I'm perplexed as to why saving money is like pulling teeth. All our vacations LOL involve some sort of camping in which we bring the dogs. We are paying for healthcare (I pay $600 a month) + utilities and taxes and quality food and computer and phone upgrades and saving for a new car. It's just expense to be living while American. Our unsustainable middle-class lives in big houses are driving a growing ex-pat community, a growing "van-life" nomad community, a mushrooming "tiny house" community--and hopefully a solution.