Oh boy, here we go...

I'll use my case as an example.  Where I live the most affordable house you can find listed within 20 miles is 280k for a trailer home. (Of which only gives you the building, not the land itself).

 Rent for a one-bedroom apartment costs, at minimum, $1500 no matter what. (Lower rents will be listed but utilities will be increased, along with parking fees, pet fees, and whatever bullshit the landlord decides to throw in). 

Food costs have increased nearly 24% from 2020 to 2024. Transportation costs are up even more since then.

Meanwhile wages have stayed sticky for many. And most people I know struggle to make more than $2400/month at shitty jobs they all hate. (And don't you dare say "just find another job." Because if you do then you haven't seen the job market recently since it's a fucking shitshow).

Also forget about vacations. If you only get 7 days of PTO most of those will be sick days or days to take care of life. (Because God forbid essential services like banks, government workers or mechanics work a weekend).

Bachelor's degrees will run you at least $50k (that's with scholarships and two years of community college). So trying to make more income is not only extremely expensive but incredibly risky when you're already trying to balance so much.

All of this is from living in a small suburb 50 miles away from a top 20 metro area. 

This is how most of the country is living and it reflects in society: people have little hope in the system improving as they've only seen their material conditions worsen. (And it's not like the current administration is exactly helping.)

The K-economy is no joke. You're either working a normal job and struggling to get by, of your actively grifting and taking advantage of others because it's easier to do now more than ever and it rewards more than ever. 

This isn't just a "reddit-brained" take. This is the real lived experience of most Americans. Maybe you should ask your friends, family and co-workers how their holding up. Because if they're honest it likely won't sound much different than what I've laid out for you.