What's worse is that in more recent history, you could get by pretty good with a crap job. You wouldn't have luxury items, but you'd have most of what was needed to live a normal life. But today, if you have a crap job, you don't earn enough to cover even the basics of life. Not because the basics are more expensive (in relation to pay), but for many people there are more basics that are required than previously. For example, either you have a car that constantly needs work done on it, or you have car payments (and often times both). And add in mandatory car insurance (full coverage required if you have a loan). Without the car you can't get to work (unless you are in a major city with good transportation options). In fact, the biggest struggle that I've witnessed people (esp. single parents) having isn't food or housing, but just maintaining a reliable transportation option to get to work and run the kids back and forth to daycare.