In 2010, a large fry at Mcdonalds was $0.99-$1.19, now it's $4.57

That means that your $1 in 2010 (merely 15 years ago, not even long enough to pay off a standard mortgage) is 24 cents.

In 15 years, they took 3/4 of your wealth.
It used to be possible to live a reasonably comfortable life making $24,000 a year. Not a house and fancy car, but a modest rental and a 2001 Ford Escape.