Nearly half a decade into persistent price inflation, middle-income earners are finding little relief. The constant sting of rising costs—groceries, housing, transportation—keeps compounding. What was supposed to get easier by now hasn't. Instead, many are experiencing intensifying sticker shock at every transaction. This repeated friction isn't just frustrating wallets; it's reshaping how entire demographics view their financial stability and the broader economic trajectory ahead. The psychological toll matters. When basic expenses keep exceeding expectations month after month, confidence in traditional financial systems erodes. That's precisely why alternative wealth preservation strategies—including exposure to decentralized finance and digital assets—are gaining traction among those feeling squeezed by conventional economics.