<p>Perhaps the poorer folks used to be more thrifty and saved more. You must admit consumption is much higher at virtually all class levels. Many of us grew up in 3br 1ba homes of maybe 1200 sf. Now 2000sf with 2.5 ba is the minimum. We had one not new Chevy or Ford car and very few gizmos or vacations. The consumption standard is far higher which leaves less to invest. The real wealthy have much more leftover to invest.</p>