I would argue your premise.
One of the biggest issues with our society, and one that no one EVER seems to talk about, is lifestyle creep.
As we earn more money, we start spending more money.
The result of that is that we end up with so many things that we consider "essentials" that 50 years ago would have been considered absurd luxuries.
Almost all of my coworkers making 14 dollars an hour have a phone that costs 600+ dollars. Easily.
You wouldn't find that in the 50s.
Back then, the luxury was having central air.
You'd be considered sub poverty these days if you didn't have air conditioning.
How about riding lawn mowers?
I see so many people riding those in city lots. Not handicapped. Just lazy.
How about eating out?
More than 1 in 3 Americans eat fast food in a given day, CDC finds
More than 1/3 of Americans eat out daily.
Yes I know there are dollar menus. But I can personally attest to eating a homemade peanut butter sandwich being much cheaper.
I don't think quality of life has decreased.
I think we just focus our money and efforts on all the wrong things.
And it's fine. People can do with their money what they want. It just isn't fair for them to complain about where their life choices have taken them, afterward.
