re: Do young people have it harder today? Did Boomers ruin everything?

You couldn’t send a tomato cross country back then and have it have any kind of shelf life once it got to the store

quote:

---

I can't afford brisket! I can barely afford chicken!!!

---

You can't or you don't? I have 109 acres and cows as a side business. Just took some calves to market. A 1000 lb calve will bring about $1600. If you purchase that beef from a farmer and have it processed. The hanging weight will be about 600lbs and you will get about 350 to 400 pounds of meat. The processing will cost about $1 per pound hanging weight ($600). You'll have 2200 in 375 lbs of meat (various cuts). That is an average of $5.90 per pound. Not cheap, but doable if you try.

quote:

---

There is a shot clock on having a kid

---

Women in their 40's often have kids. If you can't get your finances straight by the mid 40's you're too stupid to breed.

Can you afford a phone and all the latest electronic toys. Got the latest video games? My 2 step daughters are always crying that they can't, they can't, they can't.

quote:

---

usually start with massive amounts of debt.

---

Why?
How about blaming this on the university system that never saw a tuition hike they didn't want. I can't understand why politicians aren't going after the university systems.

If you're going to college, get into medical school, dental school or engineering with a few accountants, computer scientists to throw in with the mix.

quote:

---

Can you afford a phone and all the latest electronic toys.

---

I have a very cheap phone that's several years out of date which is included in my phone plan. Every job I've had in the last 10 years has required that I have a smart phone and be answerable outside of work despite not paying for said phone.

I have electronics (mostly bought used) that are usually a generation or two behind. I use out of date electronics that I jerry rig to keep working well beyond their typical useful lifespan.

quote:

---

Got the latest video games?

---

I probably own no more than 2 games released in the last 5 years. Most games I own are at least 10 years old. I don't think I have bought any video games in over a year. I tend to play video games as a replacement for drinking in bars after work. A game that costs $60 new (not that I ever buy them new) but that I can enjoy for 60 hours is "more efficient" way to have fun when 2 beers at the bar one night costs $20. Does it in any way further my desires for socializing or meeting a potential spouse? No. But 60 hours of game is basically the equivalent of 15 nights out at a bar. So $60 < $300 ($20 for 2 drinks and tips spaced over 4 hours).

quote:

---

My daughter told me today that the average age of a first home buyer is 38 years old now!

---

But is that a consequence of the home or the home buyer? Young people are waiting a lot longer than they used to to get a real job. And as the OP clearly shows, they are simply not satisfied with the homes we used to have.

quote:

---

Average house is $450k

---

Don't need that. WANT that. A cheaper home can be found. It likely won't be what you want and you may have to commute some, but it will keep you dry, warm and cool.

quote:

---

Average daycare is $1600 per month

---

Select jobs where one parent works days, one parent works nights. Not daycare needed.

quote:

---

Average car is $55k

---

You don't need a 55K car, you WANT one. I drive a 2010 Ford fiesta manual transmission with 296K miles. Bought it 5 years ago with 160K for $3500.

quote:

---

College is $100k+

---

Military will pay you a fair wage for 4 years, give tuition assistance during your active duty and you'll have aroud 60-80K for college when you get out..

quote:

---

BTW, those new ICE agents are making 100K and no college required.

---

They have skills.

quote:

---

My daughter told me today that the average age of a first home buyer is 38 years old now!

But is that a consequence of the home or the home buyer? Young people are waiting a lot longer than they used to to get a real job. And as the OP clearly shows, they are simply not satisfied with the homes we used to have.

---

totally off base. The average age of a first time home buyer is 40 because the median price of a home is $450k while the median income is $70k.

It takes people 15 years to save and position themselves economically to afford a home these days. A 1200 square foot, $275k starter home in a bad neighborhood is not an option for the 40 year old couple with 2 kids in elementary school