Well America - How's that NAFTA and Deregulation doing for ya? 1 in 2 Americans now Poor or Low

[TheKentuckian]

6. How many weeks, months, or if you are blessed then years before you'd be homeless without income?

How is the retirement fund stacking up?

Can you absorb replacing an appliance or a major car repair without debt?

Is your deductible "on hand"?

Could you keep a friend off the street if they needed your help?

Can you take a vacation? Do you have money for recreation, can you buy a book or a video game every now and then? Could you afford to date?

Subsistence isn't living, it is surviving. Being able to eat, having regular shelter, being able to keep clean, and having essential access to health care are basics. Being above the essentials and a McMansion and a fleet of new SUV's are far apart to my mind.

I also think location is a fairly significant factor, which people seem to have little problem grasping when discussing higher incomes but on the lower end, it goes out the window.