I know a couple in a similar situation (overspenders, bulk of income has vanished from real estate jobs) who have also ‘downsized’ by getting rid of their 4th car and got rid of a couple premium movie channels, but STILL don’t get that they need to return to planet EARTH. They still have a maid (maybe only monthly instead of biweekly), gardener, someone to clean the airducts, and who knows what other ridiculous services. Unless the housing bubble reinflates folks like these are in for a serious rude awakening.