You're not entirely wrong, but there are significant lifestyle changes that contribute to this. Versus the golden years of single-income households, we: 1. Go

You're not entirely wrong, but there are significant lifestyle changes that contribute to this. Versus the golden years of single-income households, we: 1. Go out to eat and for entertainment MUCH, MUCH more often. 2. Take more frequent, more distant, and much more lavish vacations. 3. Live in homes that are approximately 40% larger. 4. Purchase many more electronics and other semi-durable consumer goods. 5. Purchase much more clothing. 6. Drive more, and newer vehicles. 7. Eat many more calories (obesity necessitates higher health care costs) For most people in the US: if you downsized your home, traveled on a modest vacation once every two years, limited eating out to special occasions only, wore the same set of clothing for years on end, owned a single, used but dependable car for the entire household, watched two movies per year, etc, you'd probably be able to run a single-income household in 2020.