re: How can folks afford to live their lives today?

Oh geez, I’m so tired of this line of reasoning. It’s easier now than it ever has been. Sure there are some people who can’t make ends meet, but they are either dumb as frick or lazy as frick.

If a kid today puts one foot in front of the other, whether or not he goes into a trade or to college, he will have a very affluent life at an early age.

Now, if he goes to college, borrows $300,000 to pay for six years of screwing off, and graduates with a useless degree, then that’s on him, and he surely fits one of the categories I mentioned above.

I know tons of kids in their early 30’s (my kids’ ages) and they are all doing well, even the one who is not too bright, was arrested for drug dealing and served time in a halfway house, and started doing odd jobs as a contractor. He kept after it, eventually got his contractor’s license, and he’s now bought a home - at 32 years old! But he freaking works!

I don't have kids and I don't try to keep up with the Jones. My wife and I might start trying for kids soon though because we can afford one now.


We live in a small house. Don't drive crazy expensive vehicles. Don't go out to eat more than once a month or so. Work within discussed budgets as far as our hobbies go. We are pretty happy.

I wouldn't have been able to make it with a kid making what I was in my 20s, though. Sucks for guys about 10 years younger than me.

If you make 140k combined in LCOL and can't get ahead then your spending is wayyyy out of control

Social Security checks?

People have zero reason to be in debt. Stop buying overpriced stupid shite you can’t afford.

Nm

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My first house in Perkins Village in 1979 had a 11% mortgage

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Andddd cost $50,000 not $700,000 like today

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Now, if he goes to college, borrows $300,000 to pay for six years of screwing off, and graduates with a useless degree, then that’s on him, and he surely fits one of the categories I mentioned above.

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The average college student doesn’t have anywhere near that amount of debt. That kind of debt is usually incurred by the med school and post-grad students.

For a bachelor degree, the average debt is usually anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000. That’s for public universities. Still a frick ton of debt to pay off considering that the average pay for a bachelor’s degree is like $60k to $65k starting out which is basically nothing if you're living in a high COL city

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You can get very nice SUV, plenty for a family of 4, for 20 or so less.

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Wat?

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In September of 2022 I had about 5 months of expenses covered in savings. Since then I have had at least one catastrophic expense every month. Like expenses of the 8 to 10 K variety.

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you have to give us more than this..