[PapaBear3625]

That’s one reason a cowboy in the American west in the 19th century earned an average of $40 a month (+ room and board) and did just fine.

That 19th Century $40 was two ounces of gold, which at current prices is $2,476.00

Pay the average modern person that, on top of free room and board, and he will consider himself doing OK too.

[cuban leaf]

And that right there is the problem. Fiat money.