re: For the first time in our nation's history, a 30-year-old isn't doing as well their parent

I don't accept the premise.

The average worker works 5% fewer hours now than the average worker in 1980 (and that's not counting the time they sit at their desk texting instead of working).

Houses now are 40% larger on average than they were in 1980. So when someone points out that younger people "can't" buy one, that's as much the reason why as any other factor.

And yes, the prices have gone up since then, but the interest rates have gone down. The IR went up to almost 17% in 1981. So unless you're buying a house with cash, the interest rate from that time period added so much to the mortgage that—along with the fact that the comparable house now is 40% bigger—it pretty well evens out.

Most things were more expensive adjusted for inflation back then. Any appliances or anything having to do with electronics. Food was roughly the same. Cars were marginally less expensive back then.

And life is just more comfortable now. That's the problem with these types of comparisons. They ignore the real quality of life picture.

Things work better now—even cheaper things. Everything is more convenient now. Everything is oriented toward more amenities now. You have more computing power in your phone than a computer the size of a refrigerator had in 1980.

I'll start feeling sorrier for today's 30 year olds when they start living more like my parents did when they were 30 in 1971. We did without a WHOLE LOT of luxuries that 30 year olds today completely take for granted and feel entitled to.