[sojsurf]

> basic fiscal responsibility currently exists at odds with the reality most people need to exist within to be content.

Thanks for pointing that out. There are expenses that have gone up significantly compared to the average income. At the same time, the bar for "contentment" has gone up significantly

I live in the Midwest. Many of these neighborhoods have homes in the 1200 sq ft range (111 m^2), with two bedrooms, maybe a third small one, one bathroom and a basement. Talking to older neighbors, it used to be normal for a family with five or more children to live in a house like this. Cars were simpler and more affordable. There was one phone line per household, not per person. There was no internet access or cable TV subscription. You mowed your lawn with a mechanical, human powered device.

There's nothing wrong with having a bedroom for each child, but is it necessary for contentment? Definitely not.