I saved $20k over 2 years for a down payment on a house when I was making $12.50/hour. This was on top of contributing 15% of my pay to a 401k, paying rent for a 1BR apartment as well as student loans and a car payment.

and

I got approved for a $150k loan in 2009 and bought a modest house for $80k

I just have to say... That you live in an area where it's possible to buy a home for $80k and also rent a one bedroom apartment off of $12.50. So really although you sacrificed a lot of things, people who can only really seek work in a large coastal city do not have that same opportunity. You will NOT be able to buy a home here for under $280,000 (bare minimum, and way out of the city) without paying cash and way over the asking price, and you will not be able to rent for under $1000 unless you're extremely lucky or live way out of the city and away from work. Oh and guess what, if you DO live outside of the city and work *in the city, you take public transportation because parking in the city can cost in excess of $400/month minimum. And if you are living outside of the city, good luck finding a bus route that's less than 2.5 hours each way because you have to transfer buses several times, because you can't afford or refuse to pay a premium on a major bus line. Oh yeah, good luck getting any sleep when you're also traveling to the part time job you're suggesting, taking into account your 40 hour week, 65 including travel just to your main job.

I'm just saying that what you're suggesting is NOT practical for a lot of people. You live in an area where the cost of living is low, and also where you have the convenience of driving and having time for a part time job.