My sibling living in rural US has bought 20-ish super-cheap rental properties. Therefore, with depreciation, has approximately zero taxable income. Lives in 4000+ sq ft mansion with mountain views. Drives nice car, etc. Only one parent working. While their kids qualify for free lunch, scholarships, etc.
I on the other hand live in SD in two-income household. Work like crazy in order to live in our 1300 sq ft. Kids will not qualify for Questbridge (scholarship program for Ivies)…but at least we can sleep at night.
Paying our fair share of taxes feels like the right thing to do. And after living in Europe, having less than 30% effective federal+state tax rate feels downright luxurious. There we paid nearly 50% (of course health care was included.)
