I'm financially stable because I live within my means. That doesn't mean my means are as glamorous as others. I don't know what a new vehicle feels like, I work on the farm with my father when I have several days off, and I also come to work here at my airline with aspirations of making more. Just because I held two jobs in college and have basically no debt doesn't mean I'm rolling in cash it just means I haven't stretched myself beyond my means. There's nothing contradictory about it. Being financially stable and being able to afford to do the things you want are two different animals. I'm not worried about money, ie don't have $1000 a month school loans, but I can't exactly go down and take the boat fishing every time I have a few days off or join a golf coarse. Those statements are also taken out of context when used with a "Micheal Moore" cut and paste job. It is possible to live just fine as an FO and I am. That doesn't mean I want to be here for the next decade.