"Air bags is amortized over 20 years" Cars don't last 20 years, generally... 5-10. And airbags are one of hundreds of "improvements". TVs are an example of the

"Air bags is amortized over 20 years" Cars don't last 20 years, generally... 5-10. And airbags are one of hundreds of "improvements". TVs are an example of the plethora of technology that most homes have. From microwaves to air conditioners to cell phones... "Canceling one thing isn't going to support your family" Which is why I didn't mention one thing... I mentioned a handful of things. A host of "modern conveniences" that add up. Education, health insurance and other things cost more? Those are also things that the government has stepped in to make more affordable as well... which is a massive topic in of itself. My main point stands... quality of life and cost of life has risen with hundreds of costs that add up (a mere 100 for an air bag... a mere couple bucks a month for data on your phone... a mere 5 for text messages... a mere 100 for a microwave... etc.etc.etc.etc). Remove all the "extra" stuff that's standard today compared to 50 years ago and even with outliers (IE Health Insurance), you'll still be much closer to being able to afford the same quality of life as "way back then".