Things are just ridiculously expensive.

Yes, and that seems to give people the licence to charge more because they too are paying more and wages haven't increased. Like the girl I see for massage, who charges $10 more. So I don't see her anymore - can't afford it. I've seen her advertising more slots available on her IG. I'm not the only one sacrificing massage.

And it's everything. Just payed for new passport -$480. Car rego. Council tax. Groceries. I'm on a decent casual work wahe that ten years ago would have given me spare change. Now, I'm barely paying the electricity bill and shopping at food charities. And I'm better off than most, with savings and no debt.

At some point, we have to admit that the economy sucks

Yeah, I think we all admit that