For years, the middle class was slowly eroding, but now the decline of the middle class has become an avalanche. Even the mainstream media is talking about America's "K-shaped economy" these days, and nobody can deny that the poor are steadily getting poorer.

Recently, a reader that has been following my work for many years sent me a very sobering email.

I asked him if I could share some of the content of that email in one of my articles, and he gave me permission.

He is one of the millions of Americans that is barely scraping by from month to month, and I think that his story will really resonate with most of you…

My Pickup Insurance went up $17 this month.

My Real Estate Tax went up $187.

I had to get rid of my Landline Phone because I couldn't afford it anymore.

I drive a 41 year old Pickup with 221,000 miles. I would love to buy a better used Pickup for $7,000 but just don't have the cash.

Last month I had $17 in my Checking Account when I got my SS Check. The month before that it was $5.

Michael, you have been writing about the vanishing Middle Class. I don't think there will be a Middle Class in 1 or 2 more years!!! Like I said in a previous email, I don't know where else I can cut back. And I live a very, very frugal, less materialistic, simple lifestyle compared to the average American.

If I didn't inherit a small farm with a livable house, I would be homeless!!!

I know that many of you can identify with this.

For a very long time, the cost of living has been rising faster than paychecks.

Now we have reached a stage where a very large proportion of the population is desperately trying to survive from month to month.

A lot of people out there have cut down to one or two meals a day because reducing food expenses is one of the easiest ways to save money.