Oh, I'm not from money, trust me! If my parents made over $40K each before retiring I'd be hugely surprised.
But remember, they're a generation just off the Great Depression so they spend money a lot differently and even had pensions.
The generation I'm in, not that I participate in this school of thought, was taught that "as long as you follow the rules, there will be continuous prosperity", which is not the case, which is also why they're frustrated but also spend money a lot differently than their parents did.
But that $40k/year my father made with a pension, zero cost healthcare and the money I make now are a lot different. I have fewer tax deductions, pay more in social security (and will get less back), largely self-finance my own retirement, pay much more for healthcare premiums and there are more out-of-pocket expenses.
I'd darn near say that the mid-1970's $40K, adjusted for the cost of living and having to pay more for health coverage, financing retirement, higher education expenses and the true taxation might be our generation's $100K in 2016.
I really don't have the figures, or even know if it's truly an accurate statement as the above is all based on the perspective from my couch in front of the television.
