The house and the car are the expense that you make actively and you have to do the proper calculation. If you want to spend beyond your mean, no “xxxx factor” can save you. If you buy a $40k new car and keep it for 20 years = $166/month. Buying a used car for $14k that only last you 10 years, $116/month. The difference would be $50/month. Is that such a big difference? I’m sure if you don’t eat out 1 time a month, you can save $50/month. That’s why the latte factor is such a big deal. It’s really the life style change. Don’t take it so literally and think only coffee and such.