I am off on a trip tomorrow for the rest of the week so this is my last post of the week (Mom2KG’s column is posted tomorrow). Given I was posting tomes last week, I thought I would give you, the reader, a welcome reprieve and post something a little more light-heatedly.

Specifically, how do you compare to your neighbors, your friends and your co-workers? The advertising industry makes us believe we all own houses, drive new cars and have fabulous jet-setting lives- and you have to keep up with everybody else by consuming. But, I mined some census data and you’ll be surprised at how modest everyone is living and has lived.

Consider:

1. You are in the minority if you own a home before 35: Historical rates of home ownership peaked in 2004 at 69% (in other words, housing was already on the decline 5 years ago) BUT if were under 35, only43.1% of your counterparts actually owned a home at peak historical ownership rates. In other words, if you are under 35 and renting, relax, you are in the majority. It is only between 35-44 of age that home ownership reflects national averages (high 60%’s and dropping).
2. If you are single, you have a 50% chance of finding your soul-mate. The average household size is 2.57 persons with only 50% of all households consisting of married couples. In other words, half of society is just as sad and lonely as you feel and your soul mate is probably out there.
3. “A Cavalier. It’s red. I have a red… it’s a red Cavalier…” (classic line from the movie, Swingers) The average life of a vehicle is now pushing almost 10 years. This is not a recent blip either. The mean age of cars has increased steadily, according to the National Automobile Dealers Association, since 1969. Cars less than 2 years old consist of less than 15% of all vehicles on the road. In other words, very few people actually drive a new vehicle and please walk away if you meet a woman at a party who asks you what kind of car you drive; I am no expert on dating but it will only go downhill from there.
4. The Jones financial advisor does well- but not that well. The U.S Bureau of Labor reports that in 2006 the median salary of a personal financial advisor was $66, 120 (although the highest 10% was taking home in excess of $140,000). Although certainly a good salary, one wonders why a prospective client who makes more than the average financial advisor would hire just an average one. What can they teach you? How to make less money than you?
5. Most of our money goes for the essentials. According to the advertising industry, the average family in 2003 spent 33 cents on the dollar on housing, 19 cents on transportation, 13 cents on food and 6 cents on medical related expenses. We spent more on entertainment than education and reading materials combined. No wonder we are such easy marks- all we do is watch tv or movies!

How do you compare?