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> wealth is not the marker of the comfort class. Security is. An emergency expense—say a $1,200 medical bill—would send most Americans into a fiscal tailspin; for the comfort class, a text to Mom and Dad can render “emergencies” nonexistent.

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Again, the median income for a married family with kids is $120,000 year. Such families absolutely can cover a $1,200 surprise medical expense for their kids. The article is presenting a totally mistaken view of how insecure “most Americans” are.

Various sources report that most Americans (with some margin) report that they live paycheck to paycheck. That would include people who aren't married with children, of course, but they certainly would not be able to absorb a random four-digit bill without a second thought.

I certainly wouldn't characterize it as a 'totally mistaken' view on 'most Americans', even if it's overstating the scope of the problem.

The comfort class wouldn't need to text mom or dad for that, they've got a credit card that mom and dad just pay off for them.

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