As I posted in this thread, I would love to see the spending breakdown of the Calgary couple mentioned.: married for 5 years, a modest home with a mortgage, 2 incomes, at least one of which is rock solid (Alberta Health Services)...

Quite frankly my assumption would be that we would see extravagant living expenses for things like dining out, entertainment, travel, automobiles....

After 5 years of 2 incomes and no kids, there should be at least $50 k in the bank and no loans other than the mortgage and student loans.

Calgary, and Alberta in general, still has the highest wages in Canada. From experience I would estimate that equivalent wages in Vancouver would be 75% of Calgary wages, with much higher housing costs.

So, in order to "Prove "  (or disprove)the assumptions of people like Bill G, or myself, the intrepid Globe reporters should perhaps put some meat on the bones in these articles.