Less than a third of the population earn the average wage

Yes, there are still so many people in my country whose wage is still below average. Luckily, mine is above average. But compared with those who get very much, mine still has a long long way to go, almost like at the foot of the mountain.

We happen to live in Boeing country... the average wage here is sky-high! Since my husband's injury and the opening of our own business, we have had a reduction in income of 2/3-- scares me to look at that! He also did NOT work at the airplane factory!We take as little as possible from our business, because the business is all we have to rely on. Luckily for us, we bought our home 32 years ago and paid it off within 20 years! We just added as much as possible to the principle every month until suddenly we were paid off!! We were both raised to repair, reuse and recycle... before it was cool! He is a great mechanic, for cars, trucks or planes... I sew, and am also so crafty in my soul that every object turns into many objects! We plan a trip a week to do all errands and shopping, and even dining out with friends, all in a single run to town. Our kids and their spouses must all work if the want to buy a home. Half-million-dollar homes are not rare around here! I think the key in your statement is 'things they BELIEVE they need'... you can survive anywhere if you KNOW what you need, and are willing to do all the hard things necessary to get it!