By the time that the average person has paid their bills, debts, taxes and insurance costs, there's barely any money left over to buy food, let alone save. Life in America is not as easy as it is portrayed on TV. True, the standard of living here in the U.S. is high compared to other nations but so is the cost of living. If I were in a position to leave the U.S. and live abroad for a few years, I would. Good luck to you in your goals and pursuits, mrwalt.