In the late 1980's I took a (mandatory) economics class in high school. Is that still done? I'm not rich but I have a little saved some that will be very helpful in the not to distant future (learning and doing are two different things, I could have done much better.

Disposable income is no doubt a factor. Those "just scraping by" do what they can to pay the bills but I think for many a little better off it is just the amount of stuff we buy. Lots of reasons of course but part of my take on things.