There is no decade in American history without issues, but the loss of purchasing power has been increasing exponentially in the last 20 years. In the 70s, people working a manufacturing job could buy a decent house, cars, pay for their kids' education, and still have some money to spare. Now, husband and wife have to work; they cannot own a similar property to their parents ', and their children will need to take some kind of student loan.
Even though you are spending more of your paycheck as a percentage on groceries than you were 4 years ago (thanks biden) it was way worse in the 80s.
They used to ration gas in the 70s too.
Life sucked in the 80s compared to today. But none of you remember the bad stuff. You didn't live through it.