I remember back in 2007, it hit me like a brick why our money seems to not go as far: Tax inflation. I noticed that more and more of what we spent and earned was going to taxes and fees.
To clarify, we were renters and our rent didn’t go up between 1998 and 2011 while we continued to get into nicer and nicer houses.
Yes, taxes and fees that people don’t even notice.
Look at your water bill, for example.
Actual cost of water used: $10.
Total bill: $75
The rest is taxes and fees.
Same with phone bills.