I believe the idea that a person making $400-500 a month can "add money to a 401k and then take it out again" is not only unreasonable, but completely out of touch with reality.

It reminds me of when one of the more well-off kids at college is shocked to find out that his/her colleagues are taking out student loans, and suggests "why don't you just ask your parents to pay for it?"

But you did say it would be "not that hard".

Does that not imply a degree of hardness?

Playing dumb doesn't really help the argument.

If someone says "c'mon, it's not that hard" they don't mean it's difficult, and I suspect you know that.

My larger point is that the formula for improving your situation isn't that hard. You may endure hardship on your path, but for many it is within reach.

> My larger point is that the formula for improving your situation isn't that hard.

My point is that's frequently false.