I don&#x27;t think he&#x27;s talking to you.  If you are under 40 and are saving for retirement, have no debt, and have 6 months of expenses then you are lightyears ahead of most people in the US and you should call your parents and thank them for teaching you well.<p>I think he&#x27;s referring to how most people do it - carrying debt, little or no savings, paycheck to paycheck no mater how they make.  And when they do get a raise, instead of putting the extra money towards getting on track financially, they just bump up their lifestyle so that they&#x27;re always living right on the edge of what they can manage.