(Spoiler alert: there's some hair on fire!)

[Philly]

Consumers' Research (http://consumersresearch.org) is an educational organization supporting consumer information and freedom that recently published a survey confirming what mustachians already knew about how a great deal of Americans handle their personal finances. 

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2014/05/02/consumers-research-survey-income-vs-expenses/8568913/

[Vorpal]

Since DC is pretty expensive (especially for $40k a year gross earnings), I was feeling some empathy until I read this line:

"If I had an emergency, I would kind of be in trouble," she says. "I just also want to maintain the lifestyle I enjoy." That includes being able to go out to dinner with friends and to pay for vacations.

Aaaaand the truth comes out. I'm betting there's a whole lot of other lifestyle clownery in there besides just occasional dinners out with friends and a cheap annual vacation.