Can A Family Of Four Survive On A Middle Class Income In America Today? 

 

Short answer...yes.  The problem is that the post depression generation is spoiled and considers themselves to de dis-advantaged unless they:

 

Have two cars

Have television

Have the internet

Have phone service - especially cell phones

Have air conditioning

Have anything they want to eat

Have video games

Have a DVD player

Have the means to eat out

Have several changings of clothes

Have indoor plumbing

Have hot water

Have an annual vacation

Etc., etc., etc.

 

Following a mule with a plow all long day is foreign to Americans today, and I am glad it is, but a few years of that and you will notice just how little it takes to make you happy.  Life is the best its ever been as far as material goods and comforts are concerned, and they can all be had, and more, on a middle class salary if one knows how to manage their money.

 

America is the only country where people gather over a steak dinner to complain about hard times.