The American dream - on hold

"We've achieved so much. We can't understand why we're still worrying about money." - Lindsay Mayer

Dallas
Household income: $500,000
Senior manager, telecom company; attorney

That $500,000 doesn't buy a luxurious lifestyle for the Mayers. They live in a 1950s ranch-style home they bought three years ago for $350,000. Their cash savings total $225,000. They're pouring money into their 401(k) accounts for retirement. "We don't ever expect to see Social Security," says Lindsay. "We're not spending a lot of money on extra stuff. We'd have to watch spending even more if taxes go up."

NEXT: Gary Seim and Lee Pfannmuller