I'm an older millenial, should be earning a good wage (doctor/consultant etc..) in the UK. Correction, I am earning a good wage. My parents can't understand how so much of my money goes towards mortgage, commuting costs, bills, childcare.

Some things are a lot cheaper. A midi controller, DAC converter, HDMI splitter - these are all cheap imports from china these days. Toys for kids are cheaper, but also cheaply made. But labour is so expensive - building work, window cleaning, childcare, carpentry etc.. Lots of things grossly expensive now - houses, disneyland, centreparcs, football and sports tickets.

It's only going to get worse. Hundreds of pounds more leave my bank account this year for energy costs, nearly a thousand more may leave my bank account next year for mortgage costs. I might just sell up and go somewhere else.