The American Dream Now Costs $3.5 Million in a Lifetime
• The "American Dream" now costs an estimated $3.5 million over a lifetime according to a new analysis, far outpacing average lifetime earnings.
• Major contributors to the high cost include getting married, having children, buying a home, cars, healthcare, and saving for retirement.
• The average cost of raising 2 children to age 18 is now around $500,000.
• The average lifetime cost of a home with a mortgage is nearly $800,000.
• Healthcare costs per family now average almost $935,000 over a lifetime.