You should also check the average savings per person in Germany vs USA (both total and percentage). Not buying tons of random shit doesn't always mean you can

You should also check the average savings per person in Germany vs USA (both total and percentage). Not buying tons of random shit doesn't always mean you can't afford it. But you are right, it largely comes down to the mentality/preference on how to spend your money. I had just some medical issues that resulted in me being hospitalized for a month (while receiving tons of care in terms of specialists, MRIs, X-Rays, CT scans, ultrasounds, drugs). I can imagine this kind of random thing ruining somebody financially or at the very least eating heavily into their savings. I received majority of my salary during that time and the final bill was $0.30 for 3 months worth of new expensive drugs I have to take. So yes, choose between safety nets or fancy appliances / larger houses / steak dinners (all of which people with decent jobs can still afford any time of course)