Isn't this reality pathetic? You hit the nail on the head, SB. For a family of four, $25,000 per person should be more than sufficient. The increasing tax rates over the past 20 years, the steady inflation, the high cost of fuel, and the always escalating cost of educating our children have seriously derailed many working parents' ability to survive beyond paycheck to paycheck.

I received my first raise of a measley 2.5% last year, which was the first pay increase since 2004. Thankfully, my wife makes good money as an attorney, so we are comfortable. But if I were the main breadwinner, a 2.5% raise does not cover the cost of increased fuel, parking rates, and food costs that have skyrocketed since 2005's aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina & Rita.

I would say the new standard of "wealthy" that SB is referring would be at least $125,000. But in bigger cities like NY, LA, or Chicago, the much higher cost of living would probably only classify such a salary as "upper middle class."