The average modern human works more hours than someone did as a hunter gatherer. Of course if you care about technology and stuff you prefer moder time. I disagree about 20-40 years ago as well, people were paid a lot more compared to know and it was easier to afford housing and education.
30 years ago 35% of the world population lived in extreme poverty, now number is less than 10%. Do tell me more how people made more money back then.