I think there is a bigger point in between the lines which is that most Americans can't actually afford nice things. I am remarkably well off making good money in a cheap city but I still feel financially insecure because of how many times I hit the wall of not being able to realistically afford the "high quality leather boots" so to speak.

The fact that staples are so incredibly cheap has made everything else so ridiculously expensive in comparison. All of that would be surplus income that's supposed to make me feel "wealthy" has been gobbled up by ever increasing rent and healthcare.