Let Me Present:

    The subject of today's blog is not one that I wrote, rather it was authored by a friend of mine and posted on a blog she writes for. What is interesting is the history of home ownership over the last 6 decades and how lifestyles have changed and our expectations of living space has changed. One thing that is important to note (besides the fact that I am quoted) is that one huge difference is that today's buyer doesn't have to save as much money for a down payment and therefore can become a homeowner much earlier in the game. My family was also one of those that had cardboard over a hole on the floor board of the car.

http://www.wisebread.com/this-is-how-americans-spent-their-money-in-the-1950s