Do you live a 'comfortable' life? Many consumers say they don't.

What does it mean to live a "normal, comfortable" life?

That depends, as the idea has been changing for American consumers, and is particularly in flux as the economy grows but many don't feel like they're benefitting, according to a new report by the Kearney Consumer Institute.

"People are saying 'I keep hearing that the economy is doing well, but I don't feel that,'" Katie Thomas, who leads the internal think tank at Kearney, told USA TODAY. Thomas' new report is "Hidden dimensions of the K-shaped economy."

As inflation persists and hiring slows, lower-income consumers are splurging selectively while cutting down on essentials and high earners are trading down in groceries while splurging on experiences, Thomas said. Consumers are also forgoing long-term plans for short-term goals.

"There's a lot of these major expectations of a traditional middle class life that are just really being questioned," said Thomas.