[quote=scaredycat]wealth is a store of value. What you were witnessing was consumption, not wealth.[/quote]

Scaredy: Excellent synopsis.

I live in an area defined by consumption, but it poses as wealth. However, those driving Escalades, BMWs and Mercedes are rapidly shrinking in number, as are the kids sporting the newest cell phone and electronic technology and the $25K “Sweet 16” parties.

It looks like “Frugal” is the new “Rich”. And I think its a good thing. We’ve been overextended and overdosing on credit for nearly two generations now and mocking the values that did make America “wealthy”: Prudence, virtue, frugality, hard work and self-sufficiency.

Okay, enough preaching. “Real Housewives of Orange County” is on!