Note that when they say "a third" they're not picking at random. They are picking the lowest third, which is going to look a whole lot worse, especially when you consider the ones with negative worth pulling the rest down.
"It is worth noting that almost 13% of American households have zero or negative wealth because of debt, so we are adding together these households with those that have at least some wealth...."
Well of course you are. You're including ALL of the ones with zero or negative wealth, so who else is there to include with them?
@InHeavenThereIsNoBeer Frankly I am surprised the number is as low as 13 percent. I personally know a lot of working couples with very good incomes that come nowhere close to being enough to make their house payments if one of them gets sick or injured. I don't know them well enough to be certain,but I strongly suspect none of them have any money in savings,either. They also have a new car and a new truck,their kids wear designer clothes,they all have smart phones,etc,etc,etc.
There are a shocking (to me,anyway) number of middle and upper middle-class families in this country that are one missing paycheck away from trouble,and only 3 or 4 missing paychecks from being into foreclosure and heading towards being homeless. Granted,it is no ones fault but their own for living beyond their means,but it will still be a tragedy when it happens.
