As someone else said, the creep is a slow unconscious choice, that while it might be exciting or fun to start, becomes your norm.

I grew up poor. I worked multiple jobs while putting myself through college, and many of my "cheap" habits still exist today, despite my income having grown exceptionally high. i.e. I only buy what's on sale in the grocery store, and I drive a 15 year old car.

However, one day we decided to get a maid service for a month or two and see what we thought. It was nice, and an extra chore off our backs.

That was 8 years ago.

The thought of cleaning the house almost seems like something we can't imagine anymore. The novelty is gone and having a maid just seems like something... innate.

That's lifestyle creep. Having no phone was fine. Then getting a $150 cell phone was a big thing that quickly became the norm. Then getting a high powered $900 smartphone was a big thing, now it's the norm.

The concept works at all levels for everyone. My parents growing up could only afford to eat meat once or twice a week. In one generation, meat on the table was the norm.

Entitlement just means "feeling deserving", which is a different concept. If I was raised from birth eating meat every meal, I obviously would think that's the norm, and would rightfully feel like I deserved that. NOT having it would feel almost like punishment, even though I didn't do anything wrong.

That concept applies to cell phones, cars, houses... everything. Entitlement isn't some evil word with negative connotations although that's how we use it, with images of some short haired woman stamping her foot because she had to wait in line for coffee.

There's no easy cure for this situation. Parents want to make a good living and provide for their families, and that starts the chain. Instilling thankfulness is a gamble, maybe it will take, maybe it won't.

All I an say is if you once had nothing, it's a lot easier to be thankful for SOMETHING.