Do they really? It seems that most people have enough money that they can afford expensive phones regularly and to drive cars. They amount of luxury people consider the bare minimum to survive is quite high now.

Most people here (HN) overspend to a ridiculous degree and pretend that $200k/yr cash comp "isn't that much."

Most people in the US live paycheck to paycheck and make price-sensitive decisions on things like food and rent.

You can look at employment statistics yourself and see that most people barely make any money at all.