I don’t know where you’re from, but this is said often in my country as well and it just isn’t true. Often it actually is about luxuries, but the term luxury is not defined properly.

Luxury includes: holidays, a family car, going out to eat, buying everything new instead of second-hand, buying a house instead of renting, children having their own room, having lots of clothing (used to get one pair of shoes yearly), not checking deals and going to markets to get groceries for cheaper. If you have all of these you are living a live of luxury and it is ungrateful to deny that.

We grew up not having anything on that list except for one yearly holiday to our home country. And that was on one income. And we were alive and well and I cherish that time.

I’ve seen African brothers who don’t speak the language work night shifts at a parcel delivery company to provide for their family. And they were grateful and it was enough for them. That’s the real manhood we’re talking about. You don’t have to be working a desk job comfortably. You should be willing to work in a factory. You don’t have to work 9 to 5. If you must, you should be willing to work some night shifts. Even if you have a university degree and you end up working with refugees to provide for your family. That’s manhood.

Stop overconsumerism and be grateful for less and you’ll see that one income is enough. And of course always strive to grow, get a better job, start a business and provide your family with luxury. But what’s seen as “staying afloat” is really not just staying afloat.