Jonathan, now 15 months, is growing up in a playpen in his mother's crowded office and along the aisles among the television sets, refrigerators, washing machines, stoves and other appliances. Now if there is a second child, that could be tough. And the savings in child care, a major cost for middle-income families, helps to keep the Stogdills in the black. So does their frugality, which surprises people aware of their income, Ms. Stogdill says. If I don't need new shoes, I don't buy them.
Most people do.
We drive old cars. But we have not gone out and built the new house yet. Bankers are trying to loan us the money. They tell us we are nuts, build it now. But we want to wait until the loan for the lot is paid off.