It never happens until it does.

I look at it this way; if you prepare now for the above scenario that more and more people are expecting (thus it becomes more real an occurrence), you are not only breaking from the consume now and don't worry about tomorrow, but you even prepare for your old age.

How many older people have trouble with finances later in life, where their income no longer handles the inflation? If you had stores of cheaper goods, this would not have as great an affect.

We all should prepare as every generation before us has... what makes anyone think we are so special we can break from this natural and necessary instinct.

Keep it coming @hilarski