During covid, lots of people received a stimilus. The lines at high-end purse and luxury good stores were longer than I've ever seen.

To be fair many people who were still employed and making decent money for their area received stimulus checks. At that point why not treat it as fun money? After all, you’re trying to stimulate the economy. That includes luxury stores.

Others were making more on unemployment than they did while employed. They got checks on a regular basis that meaningfully increased their income level. I’m not surprised or offended if they try to temporarily increase their standard of living in frivolous ways.

You might believe that, and who knows, it may be true!

But your one unsubstantiated story doesn’t constitute data that can be used to compare to anything.

I think Covid is unique because people just needed an outlet for something good in their life.