Nicw article and not only true but factual. Even in the made-up budget they are paying themselves first, which is the real secret to gaining wealth over time and even generarations. Your article shows the good advice about not comparing budgets, after all most household incomes are in the 50k range and they manage to get along well enough. I have also read the the CEO of CostCo pays himselk around 400k a year and is living the good life, the rest of the profits go towards his people and business, so 400k is definately not squeaking by unless you are just foolish. Far better to know how much you make, plan for today and the future and things will work out just fine.