Michael Raines
- Many Americans have come to feel that a middle-class lifestyle is out of reach.
- Blame inflation for bringing down the mood and making the economy seem much worse than it is.
- Money experts say people feeling downbeat can create a financial plan to alleviate stress.
Vincent, a 29-year-old medical sales rep, makes $130,000 a year.
It was a dream when he was younger — once he was making six figures, he assumed he'd be in financial nirvana, worry-free, off on vacation somewhere at least once a year, perhaps able to buy a home in the not-too-distant future.