re: How can the average person afford to live?

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I don't think you guys realize what it takes to raise a family of 5

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My grandfather had 2 jobs, my father had 2 jobs, my mother worked 2 jobs, I work 60-70 hrs a week.

Quit being lazy.

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{Boomers are} ... not willing to take responsibility for the government fricking over the little man with policies they elected to put in place.

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Wow Richleau, you've got some great Critical Theory happening there.

It's a classic example of the differentiation between Critical Theory and Critical Thinking, by the way.

A Critical Thinker would actually check the voting histories of Boomers vs Millennials before making such an inane statement. A Critical Theorist ignores facts, fixating on fantastical concoction instead.

In an alternate world where the Tooth Fairy, Santa Claus, and the Easter Bunny were real, you'd have a point.

It's rough.

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I also have a pretty decent paying job and still have very little to put in savings at the end of each month.

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You're either living beyond your means or your job doesn't pay as "decent" as you think it does.

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So is that living beyond my means

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Do you want me to review your finances for you or something? You're living in a house that's too much and/or driving a truck that's more than you need. I also suspect those aren't the only areas where you spend more than you should if you're "upper middle class" and struggling.

So someone should have to work 60-70 hours a week to raise a family? Also things were a lot cheaper when your grandfather and father were working so that points mute. It's amazing that the majority of the responses are "oh you're working a full work week but that means you're lazy so work more"

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Not to long ago that wasn't the case.

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No. It's always been the case. There are entire industries built around people being irresponsible with their money.

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Ask yourself WHY there was such a boom..

Coming off defeating a Communist threat to our freedom and REAL DEPRESSION, Americans APPRECIATED the blessings this country has to offer & created a positive productive society that didn't expect anything from anybody.

One real advantage Boomers did have though (early boomers at least) was that taxes and government were less intrusive enough that a family could survive on one income.

That being said, the biggest difference in life overall was patience and expectations.
My parents did without and SAVED for things they wanted/needed. A house was 1200-1500 sf with a 8-14% mortgage and didn't have all of the luxuries we take for granted today.

Go price building a 1200 sf house with basic appliances and Formica finishes before you complain about not being able to afford your quartzite countertops, walk in closets, 2 car garages for your 2 luxury cars, spa tubs, rain showerheads, and smart features.

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That wasn't why there was a post-war boom. The boom was a result of pent up demand, combined with massive government spending and factory investment.

Also, federal income taxes topped out at a whopping 91% until 1963, then at 70% until 1981. I don't know how the tax burden on lower and middle income families played out in reality, but it's clear that income was distributed more equally than now.

For housing; yes, post WW2 houses tended to be smaller and simpler than today, but that was what was available. Go price a a new 3 bedroom, 1200-1500 square foot house and get back to me on the cost. Developers don't build them today since they can make more money on 2000 sf + homes. Even in Baton Rouge, new, single car garage town homes at this size are in the $230,000 range.

It's a different world now. The older generation WAS tougher, but won't (or cant) admit that financial conditions have changed for the worse.

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2. Location. In 1980 people were willing to live where they could afford. (And actually, it was the reverse of what it is now...the desirable neighborhoods were the suburbs.). I notice that younger people in 2023 are determined to live where they want to live, even if they can't afford to buy something there.

So one of the things that's driving up those statistics are the prices of homes in San Fransisco, New York, etc.

There are plenty of places for "regular people" to live in the US today. Just not in Manhattan or Pacific Heights. Hickory, Hunstville, For Wayne, Knoxville, Spartanburg, etc.

If you HAVE to live in an expensive metro area, then I don't feel bad for you.

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They're going where they can get jobs. A lot of larger companies are consolidating in 10-12 metro areas. I know someone is going to say to live a little farther out, but houses in suburbs are out of control too. How far away from the city is a reasonable commute, especially with $3.50 (and rising) gas prices?

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Now be honest if you made the same amount of money 20-30 years ago as you make today would you be better off or would it not make a difference?

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20 years ago I was a boot arse enlisted Marine making about $12k per year. Just about anyone today would be better off with their current salary. I'm still not sure what point you think you're making there.