Quote from gnome:
Average hourly wage is about $16... that's about $32,000 per year.
How much do you think the average person saves out of that?
1 more thing.
A friend of mine, we went to school together, he is 34. He has worked at a local grocery store for 17 years. He makes 12 and change an hour. Bought his home for 40k, took out a 2nd mortgage and a personal loan. Now owes 73k total (pretty close). Anyways, after taxes he brings home 375 bucks a week.
His payments are 820 including taxes, before utilities, car insurance, going out to do anything, oh ya and gas.
He has roughly 5k saved in 17 years.
Now, there is nothing wrong with that picture IF that is the life you have chosen. BUT, he bitches and moans everytime I talk to him. I always tell him, go out get a 2nd job, go back to school (still young enough), etc etc. Just wont do it. What do you say to someone like that?
I rather work 2 jobs, save an entire income, send that money every month to a mutual fund or something and let it compound for 10-15 years. He could be mid 40's and pretty much well off. TO me its a no-brainer, to others, its work and laziness comes in and then it all goes to hell. Some people, you cannot help no matter what. A free ride is what they think they are entitled to.