[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Now as to housing. In 1950 29% of the budget went for housing.

In 2004 that has risen to 33% however the size of the average home doubled.

Making housing more affordable then ever.

1950's Americans spent 31% of their budget on food.

2004 Americans spend 13% of their budget on food.

Are you starting to get the picture?

[sevry]

In 2004 that has risen to 33%

You can cherry pick or invent numbers all you like. But if you have a couple earning, saying 90K, which should qualify for a 500-600K mortgage, at either fixed or floating/variable rate, what percentage of their income goes to closing/housing, assorted insurance, property tax, maintainance and repair, etc?

And the same couple, where only the husband worked, in say 1955, what were the comparables? And don't make it up.