Seat pricing on airplanes is the perfect analogy for the wealth gap  (Illustration by Kat Brooks/The Washington Post; iStock) | On the last leg of a family trip to Mexico, as I struggled to get comfortable in economy class, I looked around and realized that seat pricing on airplanes is the perfect analogy for the wealth gap in America. It's always been the case that people with money can buy themselves a better position in life. But the gap between those who have wealth and those who don't is widening. Much like seating on an aircraft, the differences are stark: Up front you're treated royally, while those in the middle and the back are often uncomfortable, getting squeezed with little room to maneuver. "The middle class, once the economic stratum of a clear majority of American adults, has steadily contracted in the past five decades," the Pew Research Center said in a report last year. [Are you middle class?] In analyzing government data, Pew found that the share of adults who live in middle-class households fell to 50 percent in 2021, compared with 61 percent in 1971. Yet the share of adults in the upper income tier increased to 21 percent from 14 percent during the same time frame.
It's harder for a larger percentage of Americans to afford a college education, a home or even an automobile.
Fly, and you see the wealth disparity on full display.
When you crowd people into tiny spaces with few resources, tempers flare. The same happens when lower-income communities or schools are deprived of the same amenities afforded in wealthier areas.
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A pair of massive jackpots — tonight's Powerball drawing is for a staggering $725 million while Friday's Mega Millions kitty has swelled to $560 million — sent people rushing to pay $2 a ticket for a chance at a lifetime of financial security. But lotteries don't favor the masses. In reality, more people are likely to get a windfall from an inheritance, insurance payout or from winning a lawsuit. Maybe next year your tax refund will be unexpectedly large.
I want to hear from you. What would you do if you suddenly came into wealth? For my take on dealing with sudden wealth, read Whether it's mama's money or Powerball, here's how to manage a windfall.
Talkback
Vacation is a state of mind. Here's what people said on 7 tips for a low-cost, work-free staycation.
Formerly from VA Kate: "I think I'd have to stay at a hotel to pull this off and actually feel like it was a vacation. Try as I might, when I'm home, I can't seem to separate myself from the housework." intheweb3: "After reading the story about the man who traveled 23 million miles on an airplane, this article is a refreshing change! Although it's important to take time off and explore unfamiliar places, the fact is that these goals can be done by traveling much less as well as staying within a carbon budget safe for the planet. There are many hidden-away nearby treasures if you know how to discover them - much better and more exciting than treading old tourist paths." Read: He has flown 23 million miles. Here are his travel secrets. 2Daycqn: "My son and daughter in law have low income and can't afford big vacations. But they save every penny they can and find special deals at nice hotels that are in town or close so they save on travel costs and time. They get a very nice room with great amenities for a weekend together. I thought it was romantic and smart. They walk to restaurants nearby and also bring a lot of their stuff like drinks and sandwiches with them too in a cooler. They use the room fridge. You can have a nice budget getaway without overspending." Wash-Post-User: "If my husband and I hadn't, for years, spent many of our vacations and three-day weekends doing necessary home maintenance, it would never have gotten done. But at least we weren't in the office, we got to sleep in, and we ate in restaurants more than usual." Thomas A Horsley: "My most desired destination is always home. All my stuff is at home. I'm a natural born hermit. I've never understood travel :-)." district_dad: "8. (for me at least), change up meals. Have a cook-out, make full breakfasts, get treats, cook something complicated, have take-out for lunch, check out a new restaurant, search for new take-out." Send your comments and questions to colorofmoney@washpost.com, but due to the volume of mail, personal responses may not be possible. Please also note comments or questions may be used in a future column, with the writer's name, unless a specific request to do otherwise is indicated. | 
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