I guess this pattern is not really just american but maybe universal in capitalism. Here it is the same. We learn from the beginning that your worth is simply measured by your wealth. Especially if you’re a dude. But besides that being totally disgusting bullshit, i, personally, always thought higher of people that drove a shitty piece of old crap but still had some cash left at the end of the month, than of those that drove the newest hot shit but had like -1% net-worth each month just for blingbling.

Sure, i have it easier than most and never had to worry about loans or cash or whatever, but i still live way beneath of what i could. My house is tiny, my car not overly fancy my wardrobe is very compact etc. And i always observed the same: someone earns 1k more a months and his lifestyle goes up 1k. Earns 20k more a month and lifestyle goes up 20k. And on the whole way they complain that no cent is left at the end of the month, yet fail to see the problem.