Thanks, great response. "Stone cold realist" sounds about right. He acts on his experiences, he thinks about the future... Nothing wrong with that as far as I'm concerned.

I'm just trying to say that there's no "right" lifestyle. If Mrs. Eager wants to be a SAHM and she's aware of the financial risks and possible risks in the future, who am I to judge her? In her essay, it sounded like people look down on her as if she's not "doing it right". That's what I have a problem with. "You are free to live your life any way you want - as long as I like it!" There's something wrong with that I think.