True that. I grew up working on a farm since I was 9yrs old for my dad. We never made alot but they've put two kids through college where one is a pilot and the other a soon to be VP of IBM. They own a 2300sq home in the center of our town. My dad has a 22' fishing boat and a bayhome waterfront to park it under. Fishes 2-3 times a week. Whole family has traveled the world. Average yearly income has never been over $100k. We worked hard, didn't spend when we didn't have to, and invested what we could save, paid for our home in cash, don't owe anyone anything. It's called using your head. Not making payments on something now adds up a hella lot in 10yrs. A little belt tightning in the beginning makes life much easier once the ball is rolling. Without all these monthly payments(rent, cable, electricity ect.) I have just as much spending money as my friends who are engineers ect.