Everyone can't be 50% more frugal than everyone else, but it's possible for "everyone else" to be something other than 3-4% (the current US savings rate).

The money to sustain a high savings rate without a collapse in wages/demand ultimately comes from the government deficit, or deflation I suppose. This can be sustained even without productive real investment, if people just want savings the money will just sit around or repay debt without bidding anything up in the economy.

> landlord who sees that you have more money, and charges you more money.

You were getting a good deal then. Can happen with "affordable" housing I suppose.