That's why Americans are always very rich and their GDP is increasing every year. because they never let their money lose value every year due to inflation.
We really need to learn about effective ways to invest so our money doesn't lose value over the years.
Most Americans are on their broke arse like most other places.
Of the people I know there's little middle ground. There are either people who could last for years without working and the others wouldn't last to the end of the day.
One thing I do find a bit silly about these surveys is they never take into account possessions and assets. Most people will have something they can get rid of in difficult times, that's if it wasn't financed.