Sure. He had a 20 year fixed mortgage, which he paid off entirely on the same blue collar job, with low monthly rates because he was able to save and put down

Sure. He had a 20 year fixed mortgage, which he paid off entirely on the same blue collar job, with low monthly rates because he was able to save and put down 50% in cash, which represented only 1 year salary. The same worker today has to save up 12 years worth of salary to put down 50% on the same house. It is amazing how so many can't understand that the USA has entirely changed for working people in the last few decades. I should include that on his salary he was also raising two children, could afford for us to see the doctor/dentist on a regular basis, owned a car outright while my mother stayed home to raise the kids.