> "You never meet an American who's not wealthy. They're all just temporarily cash strapped." Not that I disagree, but as a counterpoint: Nearly everyone I kno

> "You never meet an American who's not wealthy. They're all just temporarily cash strapped." Not that I disagree, but as a counterpoint: Nearly everyone I know who is financially successful (and didn't inherit any significant wealth) has spent a part of their post-college existence in this position. This is in no way representative or scientific, but the point is that "temporarily cash strapped" is a reality and not a fantasy for a nontrivial number of people, and the perception of unlimited upward mobility extends past your twenties. It's not just folk wisdom for many, it's supported by some degree of experience.