<p>Not sure who is better off. I grew up in middle class suburbia. My dad worked (technician with AA degree who had put himself through school) and mom stayed at home. We were not in debt and always had food on the table. Our vacations were always camping. We knew the budget was tight, but never suffered for it. And somehow they managed to put both kids through (state) college. Later, my mom went back to work and they managed to save enough to retire comfortably. </p>
<p>We live in a nicer house, have a lot more STUFF, and travel more. But we both have to work to make the mortgage payments. And I don’t think we are any happier. We are putting our kids through college, although we expect them to contribute what they can (as we did). Except for the mortgage we have never relied on credit and refuse to take out any loans to pay for college (same as our parents). The kids will/are going someplace we can afford. Although I am not sure what happens if one of us gets layed off. Scary.</p>