Quoted from Rabscuttle:Instead of driving that Murano I always wanted, I'm driving a hail-damaged Honda. THAT'S how I pinball.
This is an important point - nearly anyone with a stable job can afford a few pins (maybe the cheaper ones - but whatever), depending on how they choose to spend their money.
One thing interesting is how different the US is to the UK. Our costs of living and taxation are much, much higher, yet a good 50% of the full-time working population fits well within in the lowest two bands of this poll...
I do OK, could do a lot better, my partner is one of the 50% though. We have no kids, I drive a top spec Jag but it's 8 years old and cost me less than most budget end family cars cost (I don't do enough miles for the fuel economy to matter in the slightest). We don't spend money on holidays or going out a lot. We do spend money on material things.
Earn your money and make your choices. At the end of the day there are plenty of games just as much fun as the so called "A list" games, and even more better than the new machines they're selling now. Just compare Baywatch to a modern Stern. Same company, just look at how much more is in Baywatch...
