This reminds me of something I read in one of PJ O’Rourke’s books. PJ wrote something to the effect that if I have (acquire) more money, that doesn’t mean you have less money. (Or maybe it was if you have more money, that doesn’t mean I have less money.)

As one who has never owned a home, and who has no hope of ever owning a home, I have personally found fault with PJ’s assertion. In the 1980s, as others around me enjoyed substantial income gains while I did not, they spent more money on housing. This pushed rents up substantially (I faced five rent increases in five years) and as a result, I found myself with less money in my pocket.