sticking to your guns (using gum)

Unfortunately, the fortunate are moving further ahead while the unfortunate are moving further behind. I'm not sure how to get from the further behind group into the further ahead group, but I am certainly aware of how easy it is to go the other way.

But then, there are those who make a bold attempt to get completely out of either group and consider themselves at least partially independent. I am speaking of those who eschew profligate consumerism to lessen their need for fiscal growth thereby having less, doing less, but enjoying more the time they have.

Of course, none of us can ever be fully independent.