You are correct. Such earnings are above the median. Note that typical incomes are heavily based on salaries, and will not have the expenses of a business owner

You are correct. Such earnings are above the median. Note that typical incomes are heavily based on salaries, and will not have the expenses of a business owner (such as the ones I listed earlier), and thus the $150k income of the business owner does not equate to $150k of a wage earner. Since business expenses can vary widely, it's hard to put an estimate on what the equivalent wage is, but consider it more like a $75k salary -- definitely above average, but still clipping coupons and waiting for sales and applying for financial aid when the kids go to college. I'm glad you agree that there is no need to be punitive towards them. This is a reoccurring issue I often find on HN which I find surprising, the derision towards lines of business that people don't have much understanding of. There are no free lunches in the world that will not get optimized out quickly, and any business you believe are simple are likely to have hidden complexities that you did not consider.