[SamAtt]

I don't think this makes the point that 500k/yr isn't rich but it does make the point that people's expenses will grow to fit their income. I've known several people in this pay bracket and I've often found their standard of living isn't all that much better than mine. They have a 60" TV instead of my 42" and a BMW instead of my Chevy but their still watching the same shows and stuck in the same traffic.

[kiba]

Produce and reap the reward of wealth later. With some luck, you'll be able to afford that 60'' TV and a fancier Chevy.

It still won't solve the traffic congestion problem though. That will take explicit toll fee for using the roads, and that won't be popular.

Division of labor and global trade has made us incredibly wealthy compared to the past. So focus on a niche and make people richer. Remember, self-sufficiency mean we have to make our own clothes, grow our own food, etc.

[Daishiman]

Or, instead of going along like everybody else, find a job where you're valuable, take a pay cut, work 30 hours a week and take 2 months off a year and make your schedules so you're never stuck in traffic again.

The belief that material wealth is always more valuable than being able to spend time doing what you want is astounding.