how old are you and how many X your annual salary have you saved up..

[Orrex]

12. A tragic snapshot

Of all of the people I know who have disclosed their financial standing in this matter, perhaps four or five of them have amassed savings of any substantial amount.

Generally speaking, the ones who've been able to build a nest egg are those who started from a strong, well-supported position, such as those who received massive gifts (such as fully paid college tuition or a house paid for outright).

The brutal truth is that the economy is aggressively hostile to such savings except for people who have the luxury of considerablle discretionary income. For the millions upon millions who live--at best--from one paycheck to the next, the idea of putting aside a portion for their retirement is as much a fantasy as saving up to buy a unicorn ranch.