I’m living it now. One’s a senior in high school, the other is a freshman at University. We’ve had to make deep sacrifices as to our standard of living obviously. The senior is being solicited by Ivy League schools. I’m not just bragging but sincerely pointing out that there are options and that society and our perceived place in it do not dictate our choices.
Is your house paid off? Are your cars paid off? Are you paying out over 1,300 dollars a month just for health insurance for your family? 1,500 a month mortgage, 1,000 a month for the two vehicles need to keep jobs and shuttle kids? Or 1,000 dollars a month for daycare on two? Food for six?
You have wrongfully automatically assumed they are wasteful spenders and not responsible with their finances. They are very frugal and practical and still barely getting by every month. If one parent quit their job they would have to give up everything and go on welfare.