The most common complaints in the past two years have been "can't survive" and "can't afford to buy anything." But looking closely at the data, the story seems a bit more complicated.

A recent popular economic analysis pointed out a phenomenon—although ordinary people are loudly complaining, their household financial situation on paper is actually more comfortable than before the pandemic. This may sound a bit harsh, but the numbers speak for themselves.

**Income really outpaces price increases**

Since 2019, prices have risen about 20%. It sounds quite alarming. But what about the median hourly wage for workers during the same period? It has increased by 25-30%. After accounting for inflation, real wages are actually rising. In other words, people can now buy more with an hour of work than before the pandemic. This is not an illusion; it’s supported by data.

**Consumption remains hot**

If people truly "can't afford it," consumption should cool down. But in reality, consumer activity remains vigorous. What does this indicate? Many people claim to be broke, but their wallets are still open.

**The real issue might lie elsewhere**

It seems that income has outpaced inflation, and consumption hasn't decreased, so where does the feeling of "can't afford it" come from? Some believe it may reflect increased income disparity, high asset prices impacting ordinary people's psychology, or concerns about future prospects. Good macro data does not mean everyone feels the same.

Similar phenomena can be seen in the crypto market—overall market cap is rising, but wealth distribution is very uneven. Some are making a fortune, while others feel they missed the train. At this point, "can't afford it" may reflect a psychological gap between expectations and reality, rather than absolute poverty.