@Phil @adamgurri I have been to those places. Yes, things are expensive because of the steep VAT, but ordinary pay is much better too, everything is better, and a big garage full of crap is not my idea of a good life.

They are overall much more successful countries than we are. It’s only hard to become affluent if you define affluent by distinction, in relative terms. Nearly everyone there enjoys the kind of security that only unusual affluence can purchase in the US.