Lack of stable work is also an issue. I have the income to be building wealth, but every time I have to find a new job, it takes 5~6 months. I lose a lot of money in that time. Insurance costs two to three times my mortgage. On top of that, I'm not contributing to any retirement accounts while I'm out of work.

I'm single with no children living in a cheap house in Ohio. I also don't have any debt beyond my mortgage. My 401k is maxed out. Roughly 25% of my net income goes into my savings, which I only touch for things like a new roof. And I still can't manage to secure my future retirement.