That's not what I said at all.
1988, I wasn't working in a casino. The job paid $5.85 an hour. I had $2,375 in a cigar box for emergencies. Later, I was hired at the casino for $6.75 per hour. With raises each year for five years, disposable income became available. That means that in 1988, there was virtually zero for luxury. Five years later, luxury was in the budget.