How do we explain to people that paying rent is not the same as paying a mortgage, and that real estate is not the greatest wealth generator (after this bubble bursts)?

I don't even mind the real estate bubble bursting. In the short run, that would make housing more affordable for those who don't buy or rent. It would be a necessary correction for the economy. But how do we make people understand that owning a house isn't the only way to own a house, that real estate isn't the only way to invest, that speculation isn't wealth creation, and that they should stop comparing renting to being a slave?<br><br>I can't even convince my friends and family that it's a bad idea to take on more than they can afford just to buy a house.