could easily become so. They have few accumulated assets, and many have no pension to look forward to except social security.

Do these families have different patterns of fuel use? The answer is "yes," as the previous discussion has shown. The lower-middle-income group compared to the upper middle and well off generally have less money and are more conserving of fuel regardless of the kind of dwelling they have. Their homes are truly modest, with only a few more conveniences than those of the poor. In all climates, they use less energy than average.

This group—about two-fifths of all households—is the largest segment of all households and all workers. Their lives are disadvantaged by accepted American standards. For instance, they have fewer cars than the average, they travel less for pleasure, but they use their cars as much as the average since they must often drive considerable distances to and from work.

From evidence about their housing also, the rising concern about households below the comfortable middle appears justified. Although they practice the work ethic and the frugality of "waste not, want not," lower middle income households have not acquired the solid security that produces the levels of consumption that many call the American way of life.