I don’t consider them my enemy. I consider them privileged. Am I supposed to weep for them that they can’t buy their kids the top of the line xyz or go on vacation this year? Should I spend emotional labor because they need to move to a smaller house or stop eating out? 6 figure salary isn’t rich these days I grant you but it is a comfortable amount unless they’re trying to live beyond their means.

I’m not going to give them the benefit of ‘survival mode.’ If you’re breaking even in a million dollar home you are not the same as someone breaking even in a studio.

My siblings and I have slept in a car. We have slept for weeks in a hotel room. We have been to shelters and we have lived with grandparents while mom got on her feet. We had Christmas in the back seat of a 90s Lunima. While I don’t wish it on anyone, I won’t give someone that has to reduce spending an inch in terms of hardship. Even in this economy 6 figures is manageable if you live frugally.