It’s hard to be optimistic when you forget the past

Everyone knows life is hard for America’s middle class.

Or, is it possible that “what we all know” simply isn’t true?

Recession. Credit crunch. War on the middle class. Health care crisis. If you listen to the media’s fear mongering, you might think the world is coming to an end.

These impending catastrophes, however, are only believable when you are not familiar with the past. Our standard of living is vastly greater than any time or place in history.

The real problem is “the cost of living high,” enjoying and consuming all of today’s many benefits. While most prices continue to drop–even as quality rises–we continue to demand more. This demand quickly outpaces falling prices.

So relax and enjoy the spread of prosperity. If you’re personally feeling squeezed, re-evaluate your priorities, spending, and skills. There are more options than ever before. Focus on what matters most to you and remember that you don’t need to enjoy every luxury or toy available today.

If you need more convincing, check out Drew Carey in reason.tv’s eye-opening video below.

This article was featured in the Carnival of Personal Finance by My Dollar Plan.