Until recently, Peter Klein lived a comfortable life in Seattle. He earned $77,000 a year as an administrative assistant at a philanthropic organization that funds progressive causes. In his role, Klein reviewed grants and contracts, processed paperwork and entered data. For the three years he worked there, he could afford to eat out regularly, buy a car and even travel internationally for the first time in his life. "That was the biggest paying job I've ever had," said Klein, 54.