All I'm saying is that the original post which talks about standard of living and then backs it up with income figures is incorrect but I don't mention spending

All I'm saying is that the original post which talks about standard of living and then backs it up with income figures is incorrect but I don't mention spending at all (though the original poster does seem to imply their interchangeable I don't comment on that). As it goes I'd entirely agree with you that many people could lower their income and / or expenditure without impacting their standard of living and / or happiness.