I'm starting to think "JUST WAIT UNTIL YOU CAN BUY A HOUSE" leaves out the part that makes the math so difficult. Average 30-year mortgage rate is at 7.32%. A year earlier, it was 6.19%. On a hypothetical $300,000 loan over 30 years, principal and interest at 7.32% comes to about $2,061 a month. At 6.19%, the same loan would be about $1,835 a month. That's roughly $225 more every month at the newer rate, before property taxes, homeowners insurance, or repairs. People can save carefully and still face a market where the same borrowed amount costs hundreds more each month. THE DOWN PAYMENT IS ONLY ONE PART OF THE AFFORDABILITY PROBLEM.

I LOOKED AT MY RISING HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS AND REALIZED I CAN NO LONGER AFFORD TO BE INSURED. My plan charges $620 a month for a family tier with a $9,000 deductible. That is $7,440 every single year just to keep the card in my wallet. And if my kid breaks an arm, I still have to pay the first $9,000 out of pocket before the insurer pays a dime. I asked the customer service rep what the $7,440 actually buys if I still pay for every doctor visit myself. She explained that the policy protects against catastrophic worst-case events after the deductible is met. I told her I understood the terms. What I do not understand is paying $700 a month for healthcare and still being terrified of an emergency room visit. WE ARE PAYING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS A YEAR FOR HEALTH INSURANCE THAT LEAVES US ONE ACCIDENT AWAY FROM BANKRUPTCY.