Some positive news: Millennials are doing at better saving for retirement

[fskimospy]

You just moved the goal posts. You said 15 years ago, not 33 years ago.

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Anyway, gas prices are pretty flat or lower, if adjusted for inflation:
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I don't know where you're buying coffee at $5 a cup. Starbucks and other coffee shops are usually around $3 for a cup of coffee. More if you want fancier things.

The only thing really driving up costs for most people is housing, and that's because we've dramatically underbuilt housing in the places people want to live for the last 30 years. Color me shocked that increasing population without increasing housing has lead to a supply pinch that has driven prices through the roof. We only allow people to build luxury single family homes and literally ban building anything denser, and then act all shocked that housing prices have gone up.

Regardless, if you're making $200k/year, you are doing perfectly fine, even in some of the most expensive metros. I can personally attest to this. I'm not at that amount yet in my career, but close enough for the sake of argument: my wife (in school) and I (full time job) comfortably rent in an expensive metro area, max out my 401k and other retirement vehicles, and have plenty left over for necessities, future savings for whatever, and luxury purchases.

I live in one of the most expensive zip codes in the country and our household income is about $250k. While we are not rich, we basically never think about money, take vacations when we want, etc.

The idea that making $200k means you’re lower middle class is insane.