How is less than 80k/yr deprivation but 64k/yr is not??
I agree that it's ridiculous. It's probably because people compare themselves to others in their income bracket, e.g. coworkers, etc.
People don't want to be "deprived" of appearances relative to others.
The easiest solution is obviously to not care what others think about you. Easier said than done.
If appearances are REALLY that important, it's not that hard to play along.
You can buy an iphone look-alike for a couple hundred bucks or less. It's really a cheap android phone, same look as an iphone (even the icons are ripped from the iphone). For something a bit more convincing, buy a rip-off of a Galaxy S-whatever phone; looks like the real deal PLUS it runs the same Android OS.
You can buy a Starbucks mug and fill it at home (either with cheap Walmart brand coffee, or actual Starbucks brand coffee).
Instead of buying a $30k Toyota, buy a $20k used Mercedes; even after you've had it for three years, it's still a Mercedes.
Buy lots of junk food in bulk. Those chocolate cupcakes may cost >$1 at the vending machine, but are closer to 50˘ bought in bulk.
Buy a pack of name-brand Coke, the ones in plastic bottles. Refill with generic 2 liter soda (heck, refill with actual Coke if you want). Now it looks like you're spending ~$1.25 once or twice a day, when it's more like $1 every few days.
Want a boat or RV? Buy in the fall. When you're done, wait and sell it the next spring. It looks like you're spending lots of dough, but you might actually be making a few bucks!
Buy name-brand clothes at thrift stores. Look up the "retail" price. Brag about how you got it for more than 20% off (so they think you got a $100 pair of jeans for under $80...no need to correct them and say it was more like $5).
Make sure you complain about money a lot. This is best done right after bragging about the great deal you got on your "new" shoes.