The fact that cash is being drawn out of society, is less a feature of our everyday lives, and the ease of electronic payments—is this actually making us spend more money without realizing it?

Chen's friends from well-to-do families — "second-generation wealthy," as they're called — have been able to borrow money for hefty down payments; her friends from humbler backgrounds cannot.

In the past, if Erin had any extra money she would lose her disability payments.