Originally Posted By: ArcticDriver
Originally Posted By: 02SE
Originally Posted By: Nick1994
Let's take my grandparent's for example. My grandfather owned an auto-repair business. He wasn't exactly raking in the dough but they lived comfortably. My grandmother was a stay at home mom for a long time. They were able to buy a couple houses cheap and rent them out and they were paying for themselves, he then sold them a little while later. Their current house they paid $26,000 for that has an attached apartment they rented out that paid the mortgage. My grandmother did some secretarial work and had a stroke and became disabled at age 50. My grandfather became disabled at 60 and retired then 20 years ago. Their house is free and clear (obviously) and they live a comfortable retirement life, not rich but they're doing well.
I don't think that's possible these days, have a stay at home wife and retire at 60 without busting over backwards to save every penny possible and invest (they didn't really). They were smart with some property purchases and sales but it was easy back in the day to do that.
People ARE doing the same thing today. $26,000 back then, would be equivalent to the price of a decent basic home today. Your Grandparents worked, and apparently took some risks. Calculated risks are exactly that. Back then or today, there are no guarantees. And they weren't easy then nor now.
You'll hopefully grow up and realize that the grass isn't always greener. My parents were both born during the depression. You want to talk a meager existence? You have no idea.
You're what, 23 or so? you have three vehicles listed, and talk about your house. And you're able to spend lots of time on this website, so clearly you aren't working yourself to death. I'd say you have it MUCH easier than my parents did.
Were you ever Drafted and forced to serve your Country? I know you weren't, as there hasn't been a Draft since the Vietnam War. My Dad was Drafted, and served this Country honorably. At least he came home. Lots of his friends didn't. That after spending his childhood helping his Dad do whatever job he could find so the family would have food to eat. My Dad didn't spend his days wasting time, like kids do today with their video games, cellphones, etc. because his family (and most other families during that era) were simply struggling to survive.
Bottom line: Somebody has fed you a fairy tale that life was just absolutely perfect, right up until just before you born.
Me? I blame in large part the ideology that has been taught in public schools for a few decades, wherein everybody is equally special, and everybody gets a Participation Trophy. Then the little kiddies grow up, and low-and-behold they find that the World isn't just going to be handed to them, and they might need to actually put forth some effort, and maybe even compete with theirs peers...
Contains several truths but draws some wrong conclusions.
80% of my HS buddies did not go to college and they all found great careers that allowed them to live very comfortable Middle Class lives.
There was alot of industry back then.
Its a different USA today.
Heck, you can't even work your way up to a Construction Superintendent job today without a Construction Management degree.
In most areas of the country you are going to bump your head on a glass ceiling within 10 years if you don't have a degree.
Firefighter/Police Officer...each of these careers now requires atleast an Associates.
Sure, if you can get in the IBEW then you have a bright future...but good luck getting in without a relative pulling some strings most of the time.
Land Surveyor...a license used to require 8 years of field experience...now you need a 4-year degree in the majority of States...although about 10 will let you test with a 2-year. You could have 20 years of field experience but if you don't have that paper you are not getting your license.
All you guys so angry about these younger folks today really need to talk to some of these younger folks today. Not the deadbeats...but the ones going to college or getting started in entry-level careers that statistics suggest they will have atleast 3 major career changes in their lifetime. Career stability no longer exists.
Talk to them and try like [censored] to leave your prejudices back home.
Then you can talk come back here and actually have an informed position.
The majority of young people that I meet through my grandkids are nothing like these terrible stereotypes some of you are using to prove your position.
Its their world now...its a different set of rules than existed in the 20th Century. I will take the opportunities that were available to me back when I was their age any day over the world they need to survive in today and tomorrow.
I hear lots of excuses, and assumptions.
You seem to think I don't know any Millenials, maybe even Millenials in my own family. Suffice it to say I do. The ones that are constantly making excuses for why they don't do this or that, are.... simply making excuses.
(some) Young adults have been doing that since the beginning of time. As the population increases, there will simply be more of those slackers.
In my latest career, (more of a hobby for me) I see lots of Millenials that say they want to get involved. Like everything else, there are some who actually put forth an effort, and those that just want to stand around taking selfies, and/or texting their friends. The texting selfie takers are given a chance to pull their heads out, if not, they are shown the door.
