I live in a major american city, so i realize this wage is likely higher than other places.
Still, prior to the pandemic the most I had made was $16.50 working at the same place for a couple years. Then suddenly during the pandemic years, literally every employer bumped up their wages, mostly to around $20 for work I was qualified for. Now, with inflation, I’m still getting paid $20 but feels like less buying power than ever, and probably is. Sickening feeling watching price of a dozen eggs go up from something like $2 to $4 or $5. I’m still in a relatively fortunate place in my life, but pretty bizarre and disconcerting living through.
I hope America ends soon.