Because the banks are letting so much slide, why not live rent free in a nice house? You will have saved quite a bit and if not, perhaps the government will bail you out. There is little to no incentive to pay your bills on time and have a savings, especially those in the higher tax categories who are just going to be taxed higher for their trouble. White collar crime pays. Martha Stewart being one of the rare exceptions and I think she was punished for her hubris.