Ag_of_08 said:

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Im at a point right now that things are very dead end, but I'm trying to get the degree squared away, and in about 2 years everything will be payed off to the point I can try to make a change.

Im only 5 years away from having a retirement if i can stay in the same field/retirement system, so I may have to make small moves. Job market is also hosed for the next couple of years, so I have some time and vague stability to get ahead..... i hope.

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dmart90 said:

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starter house was about $75k in '90. Closer to $400k today.

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Caliber said:

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dmart90 said:

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A decent, midpoint car cost about $12k in '90. There's nothing under $20k today.

A starter house was about $75k in '90. Closer to $400k today.

We have a real problem.

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Compare apples to apples. Why is that car so much more? Look at all the government regulation requirements combined with all the extras everyone "needs".

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Ag_of_08 said:

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Tom Fox said:

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Ag_of_08 said:

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I'm in my late 30s, but have friends that run through into their twenties.... not a single one of them cares about Instagram followers sans a couple that are using it as a side hustle.

They care about the fact that, even with a degree, a lot of them aren't even making it. I care about the fact I'm working a job that payed me what I considered an excellent wage 15yrs ago when I started is becoming an absolute dead end and only paying 5$ an hour more.... my only way out is starting over, and there's no way I can afford to do that.

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I left my career making 130k at 38 and went to law school in 2012.

12 years later, I own my own business and make right at 7 figures. It is doable depending on you and your risk tolerance.

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I have a useless degree(scratch that...i never finished and am not sure i can now) and no real way to change my circumstances. I truthfully don't know if i finished the thing there's anything I could really do. I know my field exceptionally well, it just doesn't pay unfortunately.

That's where a huge number of us stand unfortunately..... we effed up at 18-21, now there's no real comeback

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Naveronski said:

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Interesting posts from the "I'm old and made $$, life was easy, but you millennials are too concerned about Instagram" posters.

COL is exponentially higher than when you were young, houses are either $300k+ or bought up by large rental companies, wages have stagnated vs inflation, etc.

Several posters in this thread could pay tuition with what they earned from a summer job. Now? lol good luck, you're not even close.

I'm a millennial with a pretty decent engineering job and earn more now than my father ever did, but the numbers don't mean nearly what they used to.

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HollywoodBQ said:

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Ag_of_08 said:

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Tom Fox said:

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Ag_of_08 said:

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I'm in my late 30s, but have friends that run through into their twenties.... not a single one of them cares about Instagram followers sans a couple that are using it as a side hustle.

They care about the fact that, even with a degree, a lot of them aren't even making it. I care about the fact I'm working a job that payed me what I considered an excellent wage 15yrs ago when I started is becoming an absolute dead end and only paying 5$ an hour more.... my only way out is starting over, and there's no way I can afford to do that.

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I left my career making 130k at 38 and went to law school in 2012.

12 years later, I own my own business and make right at 7 figures. It is doable depending on you and your risk tolerance.

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I have a useless degree(scratch that...i never finished and am not sure i can now) and no real way to change my circumstances. I truthfully don't know if i finished the thing there's anything I could really do. I know my field exceptionally well, it just doesn't pay unfortunately.

That's where a huge number of us stand unfortunately..... we effed up at 18-21, now there's no real comeback

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There's always a way. But it either might not seem obvious, or it's more work than you're comfortable doing.

For me, ages 31-33 was when I earned my MBA. That was a major hassle. But if I hadn't earned my degree in the first place, that's what I would have done at that time.

I've got a family member who fits into this marginally educated demographic. She got enough education to get a job that pays her well enough that she can live independently but, there's zero upward trajectory in that job. She refuses to get any additional training or education or certification in areas related to her current job (stuff you could do at a JuCo) so, there's no opportunity for her to do anything else.

Meanwhile, she's on social media blaming White Men for her lack of success.

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HollywoodBQ said:

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Naveronski said:

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Interesting posts from the "I'm old and made $$, life was easy, but you millennials are too concerned about Instagram" posters.

COL is exponentially higher than when you were young, houses are either $300k+ or bought up by large rental companies, wages have stagnated vs inflation, etc.

Several posters in this thread could pay tuition with what they earned from a summer job. Now? lol good luck, you're not even close.

I'm a millennial with a pretty decent engineering job and earn more now than my father ever did, but the numbers don't mean nearly what they used to.

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If it makes you feel any better, I'm 54 years old and am still driving the 1999 Ford Expedition I bought when I was 28. I do have a 2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon that I spent way too much money on but I have worked a long time to get there.

Teachers in Houston ISD aren't making $18k to start anymore. They're making $60k. Yeah a starter home isn't $100k anymore, maybe it's $300k but it doesn't have to be.

Now if you want to talk California, Rookie cops are making $85-$100k. Sure they'll never be able to afford a 1,250 sq ft home in Burbank or Glendale but there are plenty of homes available for $300k in the Inland Empire.

As far as summer jobs paying the cost of tuition, yeah that wasn't a thing during my time at A&M. I think it was guys in the 1970s who were the last ones to enjoy that luxury. Nevermind Senior Boots, Aggie Ring, etc. I poured a lot of concrete to pay for those.

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BigRobSA said:

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HollywoodBQ said:

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Naveronski said:

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Interesting posts from the "I'm old and made $$, life was easy, but you millennials are too concerned about Instagram" posters.

COL is exponentially higher than when you were young, houses are either $300k+ or bought up by large rental companies, wages have stagnated vs inflation, etc.

Several posters in this thread could pay tuition with what they earned from a summer job. Now? lol good luck, you're not even close.

I'm a millennial with a pretty decent engineering job and earn more now than my father ever did, but the numbers don't mean nearly what they used to.

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If it makes you feel any better, I'm 54 years old and am still driving the 1999 Ford Expedition I bought when I was 28. I do have a 2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon that I spent way too much money on but I have worked a long time to get there.

Teachers in Houston ISD aren't making $18k to start anymore. They're making $60k. Yeah a starter home isn't $100k anymore, maybe it's $300k but it doesn't have to be.

Now if you want to talk California, Rookie cops are making $85-$100k. Sure they'll never be able to afford a 1,250 sq ft home in Burbank or Glendale but there are plenty of homes available for $300k in the Inland Empire.

As far as summer jobs paying the cost of tuition, yeah that wasn't a thing during my time at A&M. I think it was guys in the 1970s who were the last ones to enjoy that luxury. Nevermind Senior Boots, Aggie Ring, etc. I poured a lot of concrete to pay for those.

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I still hate you for getting rid of your M3!

Island Mexicans!!! </shakes head>







Kidding...I could never quit you!

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Bocephus said:

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HollywoodBQ said:

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Ag_of_08 said:

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Tom Fox said:

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Ag_of_08 said:

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I'm in my late 30s, but have friends that run through into their twenties.... not a single one of them cares about Instagram followers sans a couple that are using it as a side hustle.

They care about the fact that, even with a degree, a lot of them aren't even making it. I care about the fact I'm working a job that payed me what I considered an excellent wage 15yrs ago when I started is becoming an absolute dead end and only paying 5$ an hour more.... my only way out is starting over, and there's no way I can afford to do that.

---

I left my career making 130k at 38 and went to law school in 2012.

12 years later, I own my own business and make right at 7 figures. It is doable depending on you and your risk tolerance.

---

I have a useless degree(scratch that...i never finished and am not sure i can now) and no real way to change my circumstances. I truthfully don't know if i finished the thing there's anything I could really do. I know my field exceptionally well, it just doesn't pay unfortunately.

That's where a huge number of us stand unfortunately..... we effed up at 18-21, now there's no real comeback

---

There's always a way. But it either might not seem obvious, or it's more work than you're comfortable doing.

For me, ages 31-33 was when I earned my MBA. That was a major hassle. But if I hadn't earned my degree in the first place, that's what I would have done at that time.

I've got a family member who fits into this marginally educated demographic. She got enough education to get a job that pays her well enough that she can live independently but, there's zero upward trajectory in that job. She refuses to get any additional training or education or certification in areas related to her current job (stuff you could do at a JuCo) so, there's no opportunity for her to do anything else.

Meanwhile, she's on social media blaming White Men for her lack of success.

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I admit it, I am standing directly in her path to success. She WILL NOT get there on my watch.

I would buy the home price argument if homes weren't $300K in NY in the 90's with everyone figuring out how to buy one. They did it while making under $100K. I don't think people want to sacrifice as much as they used to. Work/life balance was not a thing when I entered the workforce.

Getting married later and having kids later is not as big of a deal to me. I do think that the number of kids not driving these days at 16 is a major indicator of life being too easy at home.

I also think a legit recession solves a lot of these problems.

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Quote:

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Getting married later and having kids later is not as big of a deal to me. I do think that the number of kids not driving these days at 16 is a major indicator of life being too easy at home.

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Owlagdad said:

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In before boomers fault.

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LuoJi said:

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Pull up a chart of median income. Pull up a chart of median home value.

Policy from both R and D of endless wars and inflation.

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dmart90 said:

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Caliber said:

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dmart90 said:

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A decent, midpoint car cost about $12k in '90. There's nothing under $20k today.

A starter house was about $75k in '90. Closer to $400k today.

We have a real problem.

---

Compare apples to apples. Why is that car so much more? Look at all the government regulation requirements combined with all the extras everyone "needs".

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Agree 100%!

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Aggies1322 said:

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Owlagdad said:

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In before boomers fault.

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You should read the anxious generation.. it literally is the Boomers fault. Generally speaking they were pretty bad parents.

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HollywoodBQ said:

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Bocephus said:

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HollywoodBQ said:

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Ag_of_08 said:

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Tom Fox said:

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Ag_of_08 said:

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I'm in my late 30s, but have friends that run through into their twenties.... not a single one of them cares about Instagram followers sans a couple that are using it as a side hustle.

They care about the fact that, even with a degree, a lot of them aren't even making it. I care about the fact I'm working a job that payed me what I considered an excellent wage 15yrs ago when I started is becoming an absolute dead end and only paying 5$ an hour more.... my only way out is starting over, and there's no way I can afford to do that.

---

I left my career making 130k at 38 and went to law school in 2012.

12 years later, I own my own business and make right at 7 figures. It is doable depending on you and your risk tolerance.

---

I have a useless degree(scratch that...i never finished and am not sure i can now) and no real way to change my circumstances. I truthfully don't know if i finished the thing there's anything I could really do. I know my field exceptionally well, it just doesn't pay unfortunately.

That's where a huge number of us stand unfortunately..... we effed up at 18-21, now there's no real comeback

---

There's always a way. But it either might not seem obvious, or it's more work than you're comfortable doing.

For me, ages 31-33 was when I earned my MBA. That was a major hassle. But if I hadn't earned my degree in the first place, that's what I would have done at that time.

I've got a family member who fits into this marginally educated demographic. She got enough education to get a job that pays her well enough that she can live independently but, there's zero upward trajectory in that job. She refuses to get any additional training or education or certification in areas related to her current job (stuff you could do at a JuCo) so, there's no opportunity for her to do anything else.

Meanwhile, she's on social media blaming White Men for her lack of success.

---

I admit it, I am standing directly in her path to success. She WILL NOT get there on my watch.

I would buy the home price argument if homes weren't $300K in NY in the 90's with everyone figuring out how to buy one. They did it while making under $100K. I don't think people want to sacrifice as much as they used to. Work/life balance was not a thing when I entered the workforce.

Getting married later and having kids later is not as big of a deal to me. I do think that the number of kids not driving these days at 16 is a major indicator of life being too easy at home.

I also think a legit recession solves a lot of these problems.

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On the not driving thing, it was like pulling teeth to get my kids to learn to drive.

Over on the Automotive board, it's a recurring conversation topic about encouraging kids to drive.

Kids these days are happy to have their parents drive them, or take Uber, or just do stuff online instead of in person.

Last wedding I went to, the 200 lb bride and 150 lb groom met on some app called Hinge.

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Aggies1322 said:

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Owlagdad said:

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In before boomers fault.

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You should read the anxious generation.. it literally is the Boomers fault. Generally speaking they were pretty bad parents.

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Cynic said:

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Aggies1322 said:

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Owlagdad said:

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In before boomers fault.

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You should read the anxious generation.. it literally is the Boomers fault. Generally speaking they were pretty bad parents.

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That is not what that book said, it was about social media re-wiring our brains. Yes, it speaks to parents but never lays any generational blame.

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MemphisAg1 said:

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Ag_of_08 said:

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That's where a huge number of us stand unfortunately..... we effed up at 18-21, now there's no real comeback

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If you're <50 years old, there's always time to get on the right track.

I was a wild child coming out of high school and knew it, so I went into the service 18-22 to get most of that wild behavior out of my system. Didn't start college until 22 and pushed straight through with a graduate degree. Didn't start my first job til 27 and then had three kids within 3 years. My outgo was more than my income for many years. I was mid 30's before I had disposable income (money left over after paying bills).

Fast forward 25 years and I've put 3 kids through college debt free, travel with my wife wherever we want to go, have a nice place in the country for recreation, and on the verge of a very comfortable retirement.

Stop making excuses, pick a path that gets you to where you want to go, and then do it. The world is your oyster if you are willing to delay gratification and make the sacrifices necessary to accomplish your goal. It doesn't come easy or cheap, but it can be done.

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Aggies1322 said:

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Cynic said:

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Aggies1322 said:

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Owlagdad said:

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In before boomers fault.

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You should read the anxious generation.. it literally is the Boomers fault. Generally speaking they were pretty bad parents.

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That is not what that book said, it was about social media re-wiring our brains. Yes, it speaks to parents but never lays any generational blame.

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Correct - the book doesn't explicitly name Boomers, but I would imagine that is the primary generation of the parents of those born in 1995 until 2000? Roughly. It's not just about social media, it is about the parenting styles of those who had kids during "anxious generation" (defined as 1995 until now since no changes have been made to parenting). Parents were overprotective when their kids did normal kids things (played outside, climbed trees, etc) and under parented kids on their usage of the internet/social media/video games. Since kids are ignorant, it is the fault of the adult rather than the kid.

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Aggies1322 said:

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Owlagdad said:

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In before boomers fault.

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You should read the anxious generation.. it literally is the Boomers fault. Generally speaking they were pretty bad parents.

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Bocephus said:

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Aggies1322 said:

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Owlagdad said:

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In before boomers fault.

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You should read the anxious generation.. it literally is the Boomers fault. Generally speaking they were pretty bad parents.

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My boomer parents gave me unconditional love, constantly sacrificed to give me the life they did not have as children, were exceptional grandparents to their grandchild, when they passed they even left me with a little inheritance. Yep, they sucked.

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Cynic said:

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Aggies1322 said:

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Cynic said:

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Aggies1322 said:

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Owlagdad said:

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In before boomers fault.

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You should read the anxious generation.. it literally is the Boomers fault. Generally speaking they were pretty bad parents.

---

That is not what that book said, it was about social media re-wiring our brains. Yes, it speaks to parents but never lays any generational blame.

---

Correct - the book doesn't explicitly name Boomers, but I would imagine that is the primary generation of the parents of those born in 1995 until 2000? Roughly. It's not just about social media, it is about the parenting styles of those who had kids during "anxious generation" (defined as 1995 until now since no changes have been made to parenting). Parents were overprotective when their kids did normal kids things (played outside, climbed trees, etc) and under parented kids on their usage of the internet/social media/video games. Since kids are ignorant, it is the fault of the adult rather than the kid.

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I read it as more of a societal issue than specific parents. Sure, the parents have been over-protective, but that is largely due to society moving that way. Kids born in that period would be boomers and some Gen x'rs. Either way, it doesn't matter which generation was around, it's the technology and uber-safety focus that started the shift.

The generational blame game is unproductive, we all have to figure out what to do about this issue going forward.

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Aggies1322 said:

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Bocephus said:

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Aggies1322 said:

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Owlagdad said:

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In before boomers fault.

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You should read the anxious generation.. it literally is the Boomers fault. Generally speaking they were pretty bad parents.

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My boomer parents gave me unconditional love, constantly sacrificed to give me the life they did not have as children, were exceptional grandparents to their grandchild, when they passed they even left me with a little inheritance. Yep, they sucked.

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I know that reading can be difficult… but I said "generally speaking". My boomer parents did fairly well raising me - so I would also be an exception to the rule.

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Bocephus said:

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Aggies1322 said:

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Bocephus said:

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Aggies1322 said:

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Owlagdad said:

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In before boomers fault.

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You should read the anxious generation.. it literally is the Boomers fault. Generally speaking they were pretty bad parents.

---

My boomer parents gave me unconditional love, constantly sacrificed to give me the life they did not have as children, were exceptional grandparents to their grandchild, when they passed they even left me with a little inheritance. Yep, they sucked.

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I know that reading can be difficult… but I said "generally speaking". My boomer parents did fairly well raising me - so I would also be an exception to the rule.

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So what did the Boomers do that was so bad? Most Gen X kids I know were latchkey kids who have turned out alright.

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