I think this post by Delerium sums it up pretty well
I’m in the top 10%, but not by much and I DEFY you to find anyone near this point who can:
Afford to send 2 kids to a decent college
Take expensive vacations
Pay the mortgage, car loan and credit card loans
Maintain cars and house
Heat, electric for house and gas for cars
Feed the family well
Pay for your multiple insurancesand even if you budget, scrimp and save…
You are left with SQUAT!
I think we’re on course to spawn another generation like Japan: Expensive land prevents owning a home, along with high living expenses preventing long-term savings (retirement, insurance). Thus, we’re left with a group immune to the “but things always get better” mantra of their parents. Difference, of course, is that this gen expects things to get better.