Why does it feel like it is so hard to afford a decent life? Not decadent, not luxurious, just decent. And why does it seem like it used to be easier to afford that decent life? There is a very straightforward explanation that answers both of these questions. An economist would say, it comes down to the ‘relative growth in prices and wages.’ So what does that mean? At the heart of the matter, the problem is that runaway price growth for the necessities has outpaced wage growth for all earners, but especially middle earners. Now, tariffs, deportation, health care cuts, child care cuts, or tax...