This is some privileged nonsense. You could easily reduce these expenses: internet TV channels could be equivalently found for $60/mo, T-Mobile offers a $30/mo

This is some privileged nonsense. You could easily reduce these expenses: internet TV channels could be equivalently found for $60/mo, T-Mobile offers a $30/mo cell phone plan, standard internet plans go for as little as $40/mo, CrossFit memberships are abhorrently expensive (plenty of gym memberships go for as little as $20-50/mo), and app purchases, SaaS subscriptions and food memberships are all consumer discretionary luxuries you choose to spend on. You're right, these luxuries did not exist when your parents were around, but that doesn't mean other luxuries didn't exist or that they had a much easier time making the equivalent of $40,000 go further. It's called spending less than you make, and that is important at any income level, in any decade.