While individual cases vary of course, in relation to the orginal article refered to in this thread, I think the following article explains nicely the national hardship myth being perpetrated on us by vested interests
Cost of living crisis
or if you can't be bothered reading it all this is the conclusion:
"Australia’s perceived cost of living crisis is a symptom of a broader sense of aspirational angst and cultural anxiety. We fear that our prosperity may someday vanish and we will be left unable to afford the comfortable lifestyles that most of us now enjoy. Such angst has amplified the cost of living issue to such an extent that it now obscures the fact. Of course, cost of living should not be dismissed out of hand, but it is important to take a step back and appreciate just how good we have it."
That'll do me, all's good
Mike