That's a limited comment on many fronts. The dollar has as much value as it always has...ONE DOLLAR!
Just as today, 60 years ago some things cost less and some things cost more. All of the goods and services have drastically changed in all of these years. Even compared to the 1970's, prices and wages are so different than today.
I paid more for things in the 1970's, on much less income in comparison, than today for many items. I remember when coffee hit $2.10 a pound and it was considered a major crisis unless, like me, you didn't drink coffee.
Beer and pizza when I went to college was more expensive than today and I make tons more money. But cars and housing are higher. Utilities are about the same if not lower. Telephone service and long distance is MUCH cheaper. Hookers...nevermind. ;-)
And much of what you consider "living as well" today is probably because of all the higher taxes you are paying. Taxes that go down a rathole of bureaucratic unaccountability. And how are you not "living as well"? The computer you are using is probably a heck of a lot more powerful and cost you a lot less than one you could buy just 10 years ago. And 10 years ago you didn't have cell phones, DVD players, maybe not even cable (especially in every room), etc. You might feel less off now because you've got so much more stuff.
Healthcare and education were cheaper 30 years ago mainly because the government wasn't as involved. It's like many have written (most notably PJ O'Rourke), "if you think healthcare cost a lot now, just wait until the government starts giving it away for free".
All of this is relative to the individual (as in true inflation which the government can't possibly compute given all of the individual choices people make based on prices) and that individual's situation. The true way to compare is in percentages and, coming from a poor to middle class background, we definately spent more of the household income on housing as a percentage than we do today.