You also didn't have a cell phone bill, a McMansion, cable TV at $130/month, eat out 5 nights per week, go out to lunch 5 times per week, attend athletic events (tix, beer, food = $100+), you didn't pay $3/gallon for gas, buy a car that was 75% of your annual salary (on credit), buy a new cell phone/laptop/electronic gizmo every other year, pay for gym memberships, have $8,000 in credit card debt, or take vacations that cost 2 month's salary.