The problem is that today's economy is also based on debt (a very bad idea), many if not most people cannot simply save to buy assets like the old days because,

The problem is that today's economy is also based on debt (a very bad idea), many if not most people cannot simply save to buy assets like the old days because, due to inflation and interest, prices keep going up. Some of us refuse to engage in interest based finance as it is against our religion (and for good reason).