Over 60% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. What is the problem?

[Kingofkings1992]

The overwhelming majority of people just aren't financially responsible.

Jobs are not paying wages that keep pace with the cost of living

Something else ( I'll explain in more detail in comments)

[demonics]

Commie types on Reddit will full on admit that they live beyond their means on purpose as some kind of spark for their little revolution. "If enough of us are broke *cough* on purpose *cough* we can ignite a revolution!"

Can also factor in Covid did a number on the economy in strange ways, but of course no one could have predicted shutting down the economy for two years would have long term effects. Think of the teachers anon!

Massive Labor Disruption: Over 22 million jobs were lost in the U. S. in early 2020, erasing a decade of gains, though payrolls recovered above pre-pandemic levels by late 2023.
Persistent Inflation: Fueled by supply shortages, post-lockdown demand, and government stimulus, global inflation peaked in 2022 and remained a major concern through 2024.
"Economic Scarring": The pandemic caused long-term damage by destroying worker-firm relationships, reducing investments, and increasing business bankruptcies.
Sector-Specific Crisis: Contact-intensive sectors (travel, tourism, hospitality) were severely impacted, suffering disproportionate revenue losses and business closures.
Uneven Recovery: While some industries rebounded, lower-income groups and emerging economies faced a much slower recovery, worsening existing economic inequality.
Supply Chain Disruptions: The sudden halt in activity exposed fragility in global supply chains, leading to lasting bottlenecks in goods availability.
Shift to Remote Work: The crisis accelerated a permanent shift toward hybrid and remote work models, altering the commercial real estate landscape.

Also factor in the cultural differences between white Americans and everyone else. A family of Mexicans (8 of them packed into a 3 bedroom) will pool their monies making individual wages more or less irrelevant, compared to one or two people making slightly above average and still struggling. They also have greater buying power, no student loans to worry about, and no social status nonsense to maintain i. e. friendships based solely on expensive purses and luxury cars. Maria drives a 2003 Ford van and Juan drives a Ranger. Both PAID OFF. While Britney has an $800 car payment for some Bronco Sport.

And there's the 30 million illegal immigrants undercutting your wages. One programmer Steve demanding $85k/yr vs 3 Patels wanting $25k each. Its "racist" to point this out so you're stuck here whining about its after effects with no solution in sight but socialism. Weird how that works eh? Almost like its deliberate...

[WindAtMyBack]

They aren't financially responsible. They buy all kinds of stuff they don't need. They don't know the difference between need and want.

The underlying problem is that they have been spoiled. They think the need a smart phone, when what they really need is rice and a warm and dry place to sleep.

If they are living paycheck to paycheck, then stop spending so much money.

[petitedollbabee]

The minimum wage vs the living wage are two very different things.

[4ngelic]

wages haven't gone up with the cost of living

[Jersey2]

Rich men are convincing poor men to accept the massive influx of illegal immigrants. This undermines the poor man’s ability to afford a house or even an apartment. It increases the cost for everything making the rich man richer. The Democrats are F’ing over their primary base. It is obvious.

More customers means more sales which means more money which means supply is lower and demand is higher and therefore costs increase but wages decrease as there are more workers available.

[exitseven]

people do not know how to handle money. They sign up for multiple streaming services. Each one "only" cost 20 bucks a month. They put a 20 dollar latte on the credit card every day.

[Kingofkings1992]

Who tf is charging $20 for a latte? Even half that would be outrageous

[exitseven]

I do not drink coffee but it seems expensive to me.

[ChicoFromThe305]

Education system is a brainwash, it basically molds people to believe working for others in success instead of working for themselves and build actual wealth.

[Kelley1]

Most people are not responsible. They give their wants priority over their needs.

[DryGermanGuy]

Large income inequality
Weak workers‘ rights
Weak unions/company councils

[Filthy_Immigrant]

jobs are definitely not paying what they should. here in my state the cost of living is +100,000$ yet most jobs here only pay $30,000 oven less

[darkcloud1945]

The
The government cannot control its own spending, and free, free, free giveaways, waste, and abuse of funding in the billions of dollars.

[888theGreat]

people invest in wrong things , health crisis, divorces,.

[Mike_Hum]

Poor money management.

[Kingofkings1992]

I think it's more complex than that personally

[Mike_Hum]

Guarantee it isn’t in 90% of cases

[Ariesman81Nshiiit]

Investing in liabilities and not assets.