Selfish?
I recall my folks bought their first home, it was *brand* new. My Dad use to go to the gas station and say, "gimmy a bucks worth of regular". Then they cleaned his windshield, checked his oil and tires. We had everything we needed. And Mom NEVER had to work.
It only took one income back then to buy a brand new home and raise a family to boot.
Just try that today.
Not to mention, they had secure jobs, with great medical benefits, and most had pensions. It was no big deal back then, and was more or less expected.
Today, one is lucky to just have a secure job. They're almost unheard of.
I enjoy the challenge/romanticism of work, so I’m glad I never had to experience the liberal days of excess.
Uh, what liberal days of excess are you referring to? The above was happening in the 1950s and early 60s, when I was a little kid.