It can still be done! Truly, all joking aside. It takes planning, determination, and a thick skin but it can be done. First, don't go in to debt for college. Second, be willing to move to a lower cost of living area. Third, base your budget for a house on one income, even if you currently have two-- this way if you have children or one person can not work for some reason you will still be able to keep up with payments. Fourth, buy a fixer upper of a house that you can pay off in seven years or less based on that one income. Fifth, don't use credit. Save for purchases and search out good quality second hand things. My husband and I did this and we are homeowners with one income and children. Never lose hope. Stay out of the system and it can be done.

:)