For reference:  I do contribute to my company's 401k so it is not a self-directed 401k, and I have always been told to at least contribute the bare minimum to get the companies match so I am not leaving money on the table.  

What does it matter if that matches the metric you used if people’s incomes have barely increased?

Can't speak for others, but  as a Ukrainian, born and raised, after seeing my streets and my buildings being bombed for 3 days, I could barely focus on anything including business.

Some (actually a majority of the areas) barely track inflation on a yearly basis and some could often experience prolonged periods of stagnation and occasional declines.

I did graduate, barely, ironically with a BS in economics.

Last year when my family purchased our new primary residence it was a struggle to go through the lending process and just barely were able to qualify.

Currently the U.S. barely can service our debt load as it is, with rates as low as they are.

She also can barely make the payments as it is. 

I was a young realtor barely making enough to pay my own mortgage.

Don't go bare bones, especially in the kitchen...Seriously, one of the constant top raves about my STRs is that the kitchen is completely stocked.