In the mid-60s and early 70s people also did not have multiple cell phones
(one for each family member), cable/satellite TV, satellite radio, "starter"
homes the size of small castles, home entertainment centers, or 2 brand new
cars (one an SUV) in the driveway. Today these are all looked at as
"necessities", and they consume what would otherwise be disposable income.

Boy, that's for sure. Let's look at the fixed expenses for my middle-
class parents in the late 1960s:

- Mortgage on a modest 3-bedroom ranch
- One car
- Telephone
- Water
- Gas/Electric

Now let's look at the average middle class American today:

- Mortgage on a 4-bedroom, 2 story house (What do people *do* with all
that space, anyway?)
- Multiple (at least two, usually more) cars
- Telephone
- Water
- Gas/Electric
- Cell phone(s) for each family member
- High speed internet
- Cable TV/movie channels/satellite dish
- Computer(s)
- Color printer(s)

Then factor in the SUVs, campers, jet skis, etc. -- none of which even
EXISTED in the '60s, and you get the point. The difference from my
parents lifestyle is just stunning -- yet everyone thinks it's
"normal" now.

THAT is why so many people are in debt to their eyeballs, IMHO. And
it's also why people feel they can't afford flight lessons.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"