Nearly 80% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck (https://www.forbes.com/advisor/banking/living-paycheck-to-paycheck-statistics-2024/), and lots of those struggle to cover their standard expenses. Getting your teeth checked doesn’t help you stay in paying work. If you manage to save a few hundred you’re probably going to spend it on that house or car repair that you’ve been needing for months, or some new clothes for your kids.