Why do you think wages aren't growing still?

Wage growth this year barely kept up with inflation. And when you consider that housing, healthcare, and education are still spiralling upward faster then it means that US workers are actually falling behind still. You'd think with such a tight job market that wages would start growing more, but they just aren't. Why do you think that is?

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Heartlander · 80-89, M

There's probably enough of an increase in most American's net worth to cover the need for a spending spree. Stock market is up 30%+ over the past 2 years, home values are up. For many, it's easy enough to tap their own well and still be as rich as they were 2 years ago. Combine those gains with lower taxes and the effect is probably comparable to a 15% pay raise.

There's also probably a lingering hangover from the last downturn to make people more anxious to have better security than more toys.

Also, looking around, we seem to be shifting from home ownership to renting. That transfers into a lower cost of living, cash wise, for most.