> That and also people weren't paying for Netflix, Disney+, PlayStation online, ChatGPT+, etc

Its disingenuous to describe those new expenses without considering those that largely have been replaced.

It used to be normal to pay for cable TV which was outrageously expensive. They used to go to movie theatres on a regular basis, and collect physical media for movies and music and games and tv. Etc.

And pay $1 a minute for long distance and even not so long distance calls. Not sure how everything balances out inflation and function adjusted but not convinced entertainment is broadly more expensive these days.