It’s been almost five years since 2020 came and went. Looking back, it was a year that changed how people thought about almost everything, including health, socializing and money. I could have done the math myself, but I asked ChatGPT how much I’d have now if I’d saved $100 a month since then.
That question seemed simple, but it felt like the right time to ask it. The years since 2020 have been marked by economic swings, from shutdowns and stimulus checks to inflation and higher borrowing costs. Many Americans went from building record savings to spending them down.
