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There's more conspiring to peoples choices than the supposed virtue of frugality on an individual basis. Inflation and near-zero interest rates on savings, plus cheap credit (and a culture of consumption) the past thirty years drove things to what they are today (not good before, but insane after).
I always love it when folks tell me they are "independent" (despite all the external clues to the contrary). As Joe Bageant had it (roughly), "How can 300-million individuals still wind up with the exact same range of choices, every time"?
You'll note that few even consider the cost of house (a non-income producing property) that yet requires enough land and a building for cars as being part of this (zoning premium, construction cost plus financing, maintenance and repairs, higher insurance and taxes, etc).
Can't leave that out, as it is huge. A direct energy cost.
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