The "musical chairs" metaphor is slightly misleading because people can pay to take up more or less space. Most obviously by owning houses that are mostly vaca

The "musical chairs" metaphor is slightly misleading because people can pay to take up more or less space. Most obviously by owning houses that are mostly vacant, but there are more subtle forms of it with it, like how you use "spare" bedrooms. Someone who needs the money will rent a spare bedroom out.