“Every generation before todays spoiled brat generation had it tougher but made the best of what they had and built a better life”
As a baby boomer I can tell you my generation had it easy compared to what millennials are going through.
My first job out of college I was paid $28kper year as a field rep -early 80’s. 100% company paid full benefits including a real company paid retirement plan not a stupid azz 401k the employee funds 99%, company car and the co paid all insurance, gas and maintenance 100%
With bonuses I made $35k my first year and bought my first house at age 24.
My niece is basically in the same line of work. Field rep. Has to use her own car, $8000 deductible health insurance plan and she still pays $900 for it because she added her husband. No retirement plan and now since she is working from home her company just sent them a letter making them all 1099 subcontract labor with zero benefits.
I started in the early eighties in the military at $30k per year and came off active duty 16 years later at $60K per year. I later retired from the reserves but have yet to see a retirement check. I went into industry and now earn 3x my exit pay and hold two other part time jobs. I have funded my own retirement with at least 15% of my income for the past 30 years or so. Hard work and service is not difficult to do when one has motivation. Good jobs are plentiful when you have skill and good attitude.
As to health care, Obama care screwed us all on that. Plans went from decent to crap after ACA went into effect. So now I just use minimal plan and fund an HSA to cover the deductables.
Few if any companies these days offer company funded retirement plans, and those were put in place decades ago as incentives to hire in, necessary for the company to attract good labor, not something that should have been seen as an excuse not to save and plan your own retirement.
Advice to people who cant afford nice things, cut up your credit cards and start living within your means and save at least 15% of whatever you make. If you started funding your Roth IRA or 401K at age 24 you can retire very comfortably at 60-65. 401k’s are not stupid-azz.
My grandparents lived through the great depression and gave birth to my parents coming out of the depression and going into WWII. I am so blessed both those generations didnt think like you.