So who is the AM that doesn’t buckle their own helmet?

Darrin Willis
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Red Deer County, AB CA
1/22/2026 6:07am
truck wrote:
Common misconception here. The cost of living for the standard of living that is now considered normal is much more expensive than what people would have...

Common misconception here. The cost of living for the standard of living that is now considered normal is much more expensive than what people would have spent in the past, but they're getting far more in return.

The cost to live like your grandmother did back then is still incredibly cheap. Things haven't gotten more expensive as much as we've just been conditioned to think we need more things. This is why there's such a generational disconnect on this issue. Younger people cannot fathom the lives lived by those they call boomers and imagine them living the relatively comfortable life they live now at much more affordable prices when the reality is their life looked very different back then. Younger people could have that life easily right now if they wanted it. They don't. 

Spot on.Grandma and grandpa owned their home.800 sqft.No granite counter top. 1 20" tv. One car. No daily amazon deliveries. No grub hub or Uber eats. Etc etc. 

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seth505
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SD, CA US
1/22/2026 6:15am

That one is a lot more clear cut. Housing is expensive.

Spoonguy wrote:
My daughter is 30, married two kids, just bought her second house. Fuck yeah its expensive, but her and her husband work their asses off. As...

My daughter is 30, married two kids, just bought her second house. Fuck yeah its expensive, but her and her husband work their asses off. As my wife and I did, and his parents, the grandparents, on and on. And no, she didn't get help from me, both her and husband worked fulltime through school, bought their first house on graduation. The hours and lack of sleep they got wasn't fair, or safe, but they got what they really wanted. Of course they don't have "me" time or "gaming" time or three TVs or get to "party". Most of their friends, (who they take hours from at work, when their friends don't want extra hours) state they shouldn't work so hard. Yet my daughter and her husband laugh at how easy it is to compete in todays workforce. And young people today do not understand life is that, competition.

Spoonguy wrote:
I feel many young people do not understand this, life is competition. Somebody wants your business, job, wife, career, house. And if you are not willing...

I feel many young people do not understand this, life is competition. Somebody wants your business, job, wife, career, house. And if you are not willing to outwork them, they will get it. And no it is not fair but it is life. If you are crying housing is expensive where you live, it is because somebody is willing to outwork or outearn you for it, it is a competition for dollars.  If they outcompete you for housing next they will take your career, or anything else you are not willing to outwork them for. What are you willing to do to beat them....they will do more. Like grandpa always said life is about waking up in the morning, getting behind the mule, and plow.

You sound like you watch a lot of alpha male and "gotta grind" influencers. 😄

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3strokemx
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US
1/22/2026 6:16am
truck wrote:
Common misconception here. The cost of living for the standard of living that is now considered normal is much more expensive than what people would have...

Common misconception here. The cost of living for the standard of living that is now considered normal is much more expensive than what people would have spent in the past, but they're getting far more in return.

The cost to live like your grandmother did back then is still incredibly cheap. Things haven't gotten more expensive as much as we've just been conditioned to think we need more things. This is why there's such a generational disconnect on this issue. Younger people cannot fathom the lives lived by those they call boomers and imagine them living the relatively comfortable life they live now at much more affordable prices when the reality is their life looked very different back then. Younger people could have that life easily right now if they wanted it. They don't. 

Spot on.Grandma and grandpa owned their home.800 sqft.No granite counter top. 1 20" tv. One car. No daily amazon deliveries. No grub hub or Uber eats...

Spot on.Grandma and grandpa owned their home.800 sqft.No granite counter top. 1 20" tv. One car. No daily amazon deliveries. No grub hub or Uber eats. Etc etc. 

How did they both get to their jobs with only 1 car?

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2
Spoonguy
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Mc Kean, PA US
1/22/2026 6:18am
truck wrote:
Common misconception here. The cost of living for the standard of living that is now considered normal is much more expensive than what people would have...

Common misconception here. The cost of living for the standard of living that is now considered normal is much more expensive than what people would have spent in the past, but they're getting far more in return.

The cost to live like your grandmother did back then is still incredibly cheap. Things haven't gotten more expensive as much as we've just been conditioned to think we need more things. This is why there's such a generational disconnect on this issue. Younger people cannot fathom the lives lived by those they call boomers and imagine them living the relatively comfortable life they live now at much more affordable prices when the reality is their life looked very different back then. Younger people could have that life easily right now if they wanted it. They don't. 

Spot on.Grandma and grandpa owned their home.800 sqft.No granite counter top. 1 20" tv. One car. No daily amazon deliveries. No grub hub or Uber eats...

Spot on.Grandma and grandpa owned their home.800 sqft.No granite counter top. 1 20" tv. One car. No daily amazon deliveries. No grub hub or Uber eats. Etc etc. 

Planted gardens to supplement their groceries too. Grandma most generally canned or froze produce, grandpa hunted and fished on a regular basis too - stocked the freezer with deer, rabbit, perch, smelt, and walleye. My wife stills cans and freezes produce from our garden, people have no idea what she is talking about when she mentions it. Of course we never knew high grocery bills either.

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4

The Shop

MOTO13
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Elkhorn, WI US
1/22/2026 6:19am
MOTO13 wrote:
Lol...ok. Everything is harder today than than it ever was. That's complete BS Then...rent, sacrifice...do whatever, but don't be a 30 yo living with mommy n...

Lol...ok. Everything is harder today than than it ever was. That's complete BS Then...rent, sacrifice...do whatever, but don't be a 30 yo living with mommy n daddy. I moved out making $5/hr. Made that my entire time in college. Guess what...I did ok. Didn't own shit, but paid my own way. Some kids these days are other worldly responsible and we see that in many. But, more and more, these people are getting fucking pathetic with their reasons for not being on their own. 

ACBailey89 wrote:
Ok Boomer, back in “Your” day cost of living to income ratio was drastically different and you could actually do that.Heck my grandma, was a hair...

Ok Boomer, back in “Your” day cost of living to income ratio was drastically different and you could actually do that.

Heck my grandma, was a hair stylist who bought rentals and retired off of them eventually. A lot harder, and sometimes not even possible these days.

LOL...Like I said, everything is sooo fkng tough today. Ever live on $5/hr? I worked full time fixing sewing machines and vacuums as a kid and through college as a FT off campus student. My GF/wife also contributed, but we lived lean...REALLY lean, just to only hopefully end up broke each month. $500 car (we had one car worth $500), $400/mo rent (I think). We didn't have a cel phone, big TV, cable/satellite service or $10 coffees. We weremt fkng stupid with money. People claim to have it tough and yet they spend $500/mo on their TV and cel phone alone. Plus they want a $50k car. I had No motorcycle...nothing at the time. My first job out of college was as a fed aufitor at $19k a year. We bought a $60k house a year later (3x my salary). Now, people make 3-4 times what I started at. Plus, we moved to where the money was several times so I could make more at CPA firms. We didn't sit on our ass and complain and look for mommy and daddy hand outs.

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Spoonguy
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Mc Kean, PA US
1/22/2026 6:22am
truck wrote:
Common misconception here. The cost of living for the standard of living that is now considered normal is much more expensive than what people would have...

Common misconception here. The cost of living for the standard of living that is now considered normal is much more expensive than what people would have spent in the past, but they're getting far more in return.

The cost to live like your grandmother did back then is still incredibly cheap. Things haven't gotten more expensive as much as we've just been conditioned to think we need more things. This is why there's such a generational disconnect on this issue. Younger people cannot fathom the lives lived by those they call boomers and imagine them living the relatively comfortable life they live now at much more affordable prices when the reality is their life looked very different back then. Younger people could have that life easily right now if they wanted it. They don't. 

Spot on.Grandma and grandpa owned their home.800 sqft.No granite counter top. 1 20" tv. One car. No daily amazon deliveries. No grub hub or Uber eats...

Spot on.Grandma and grandpa owned their home.800 sqft.No granite counter top. 1 20" tv. One car. No daily amazon deliveries. No grub hub or Uber eats. Etc etc. 

3strokemx wrote:

How did they both get to their jobs with only 1 car?

My daughter works a night shift nursing, her husband works days as an electrician. They can drop each other off if they choose, though they own two cars. We live in Pennsylvania, it is legal to use all 24 hours of a day productively.

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Spoonguy
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1/22/2026 6:23am
MOTO13 wrote:
Lol...ok. Everything is harder today than than it ever was. That's complete BS Then...rent, sacrifice...do whatever, but don't be a 30 yo living with mommy n...

Lol...ok. Everything is harder today than than it ever was. That's complete BS Then...rent, sacrifice...do whatever, but don't be a 30 yo living with mommy n daddy. I moved out making $5/hr. Made that my entire time in college. Guess what...I did ok. Didn't own shit, but paid my own way. Some kids these days are other worldly responsible and we see that in many. But, more and more, these people are getting fucking pathetic with their reasons for not being on their own. 

ACBailey89 wrote:
Ok Boomer, back in “Your” day cost of living to income ratio was drastically different and you could actually do that.Heck my grandma, was a hair...

Ok Boomer, back in “Your” day cost of living to income ratio was drastically different and you could actually do that.

Heck my grandma, was a hair stylist who bought rentals and retired off of them eventually. A lot harder, and sometimes not even possible these days.

MOTO13 wrote:
LOL...Like I said, everything is sooo fkng tough today. Ever live on $5/hr? I worked full time fixing sewing machines and vacuums as a kid and...

LOL...Like I said, everything is sooo fkng tough today. Ever live on $5/hr? I worked full time fixing sewing machines and vacuums as a kid and through college as a FT off campus student. My GF/wife also contributed, but we lived lean...REALLY lean, just to only hopefully end up broke each month. $500 car (we had one car worth $500), $400/mo rent (I think). We didn't have a cel phone, big TV, cable/satellite service or $10 coffees. We weremt fkng stupid with money. People claim to have it tough and yet they spend $500/mo on their TV and cel phone alone. Plus they want a $50k car. I had No motorcycle...nothing at the time. My first job out of college was as a fed aufitor at $19k a year. We bought a $60k house a year later (3x my salary). Now, people make 3-4 times what I started at. Plus, we moved to where the money was several times so I could make more at CPA firms. We didn't sit on our ass and complain and look for mommy and daddy hand outs.

If Ford sold Raptors 35 years ago nobody would've bought them.

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1/22/2026 6:34am
was talking about this yesterday w/ the wife. We're new "empty-nesters" in our late 40s. We both were working like crazy at 18, moved out, sought...

was talking about this yesterday w/ the wife. We're new "empty-nesters" in our late 40s. We both were working like crazy at 18, moved out, sought independence, wanted nothing from our parents, etc. 

Now we have kids that are 19,20...and these kids are sitting around playing video games, no real interest in moving forward in life, and are wasting some of the best/most productive years of their lives despite she and I constantly hammering them with suggestions on moving forward. I told my mom yesterday "I guess it's our generation's fault, but I don't understand it."

My only conclusion is that they've been told their whole lives that they can make $1m making IG clips or something. I truly don't understand it.

It's effing crazy. My oldest daughter got 5 distinctions when she finished high school. That is a monumental feat to pull off. Long story short, her Aunty is a GP, a normal doctor and her Uncle is an Anaesthetist, they live in Sydney Australia. My daughter whilst in school always wanted to become a Veterinarian. Well, Aunty and Uncle offered (two years ago) for her to come live with them in Sydney and that they would pay for her to go to Varsity.

My daughter at the time was all keen and exited but said that she wanted to take a "gap year" to explore life and just to unwind, well, that was two years ago and now she has been through 3 different jobs and is now working as a receptionist for a hair salon. Her and her boyfriend Game at night and watch movies till well past midnight. She currently starts work at 9am.

My damn hair stands up when I think of the golden opportunity that she could lose if she doesn't wake up. 

Whenever I try to talk to her about it, my wife included, it doesn't turn out well. it is so frustrating.....ya know, you can take a horse to water but you can't make the bastard drink.

The youth of today are just different, social media, gaming, all about image..it is a effing crazy stupid world we live in now.

I do not have any answers.......

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3strokemx
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1/22/2026 6:34am
MOTO13 wrote:
LOL...Like I said, everything is sooo fkng tough today. Ever live on $5/hr? I worked full time fixing sewing machines and vacuums as a kid and...

LOL...Like I said, everything is sooo fkng tough today. Ever live on $5/hr? I worked full time fixing sewing machines and vacuums as a kid and through college as a FT off campus student. My GF/wife also contributed, but we lived lean...REALLY lean, just to only hopefully end up broke each month. $500 car (we had one car worth $500), $400/mo rent (I think). We didn't have a cel phone, big TV, cable/satellite service or $10 coffees. We weremt fkng stupid with money. People claim to have it tough and yet they spend $500/mo on their TV and cel phone alone. Plus they want a $50k car. I had No motorcycle...nothing at the time. My first job out of college was as a fed aufitor at $19k a year. We bought a $60k house a year later (3x my salary). Now, people make 3-4 times what I started at. Plus, we moved to where the money was several times so I could make more at CPA firms. We didn't sit on our ass and complain and look for mommy and daddy hand outs.

Buying a house a year out of college is wild. How did you get approved for that loan?  You probably needed like $10k for down payment and closing costs?   

1
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MOTO13
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Elkhorn, WI US
1/22/2026 6:35am
ACBailey89 wrote:
Ok Boomer, back in “Your” day cost of living to income ratio was drastically different and you could actually do that.Heck my grandma, was a hair...

Ok Boomer, back in “Your” day cost of living to income ratio was drastically different and you could actually do that.

Heck my grandma, was a hair stylist who bought rentals and retired off of them eventually. A lot harder, and sometimes not even possible these days.

MOTO13 wrote:
LOL...Like I said, everything is sooo fkng tough today. Ever live on $5/hr? I worked full time fixing sewing machines and vacuums as a kid and...

LOL...Like I said, everything is sooo fkng tough today. Ever live on $5/hr? I worked full time fixing sewing machines and vacuums as a kid and through college as a FT off campus student. My GF/wife also contributed, but we lived lean...REALLY lean, just to only hopefully end up broke each month. $500 car (we had one car worth $500), $400/mo rent (I think). We didn't have a cel phone, big TV, cable/satellite service or $10 coffees. We weremt fkng stupid with money. People claim to have it tough and yet they spend $500/mo on their TV and cel phone alone. Plus they want a $50k car. I had No motorcycle...nothing at the time. My first job out of college was as a fed aufitor at $19k a year. We bought a $60k house a year later (3x my salary). Now, people make 3-4 times what I started at. Plus, we moved to where the money was several times so I could make more at CPA firms. We didn't sit on our ass and complain and look for mommy and daddy hand outs.

Spoonguy wrote:

If Ford sold Raptors 35 years ago nobody would've bought them.

Exactly. Excellent point. I never even considered a new vehicle. A Raptor BITD would have been laughable to even build, nobody would be dumb enough to buy it. People were smarter with money then it seems and looked long term. Nobody carried debt. Even as a kiid, I never knew my parents to be in debt for anything. I hate debt. To this day, I have a 2014 Chevy Cruze diesel and a 2008 Chevy Silverado. 

2
2
3strokemx
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1/22/2026 6:37am
Spoonguy wrote:
My daughter works a night shift nursing, her husband works days as an electrician. They can drop each other off if they choose, though they own...

My daughter works a night shift nursing, her husband works days as an electrician. They can drop each other off if they choose, though they own two cars. We live in Pennsylvania, it is legal to use all 24 hours of a day productively.

Wow sounds wonderful, i can't believe other people don't choose to live on a different sleep schedule than their spouse.  Truly the American dream. Thank you for this inspiration.

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truck
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1/22/2026 6:39am
ACBailey89 wrote:
Ok Boomer, back in “Your” day cost of living to income ratio was drastically different and you could actually do that.Heck my grandma, was a hair...

Ok Boomer, back in “Your” day cost of living to income ratio was drastically different and you could actually do that.

Heck my grandma, was a hair stylist who bought rentals and retired off of them eventually. A lot harder, and sometimes not even possible these days.

MOTO13 wrote:
LOL...Like I said, everything is sooo fkng tough today. Ever live on $5/hr? I worked full time fixing sewing machines and vacuums as a kid and...

LOL...Like I said, everything is sooo fkng tough today. Ever live on $5/hr? I worked full time fixing sewing machines and vacuums as a kid and through college as a FT off campus student. My GF/wife also contributed, but we lived lean...REALLY lean, just to only hopefully end up broke each month. $500 car (we had one car worth $500), $400/mo rent (I think). We didn't have a cel phone, big TV, cable/satellite service or $10 coffees. We weremt fkng stupid with money. People claim to have it tough and yet they spend $500/mo on their TV and cel phone alone. Plus they want a $50k car. I had No motorcycle...nothing at the time. My first job out of college was as a fed aufitor at $19k a year. We bought a $60k house a year later (3x my salary). Now, people make 3-4 times what I started at. Plus, we moved to where the money was several times so I could make more at CPA firms. We didn't sit on our ass and complain and look for mommy and daddy hand outs.

Spoonguy wrote:

If Ford sold Raptors 35 years ago nobody would've bought them.

They tried twice with the lightning. First attempt lasted two years, second attempt made it five or so before being canceled. 

1
BoxcarWilly
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1/22/2026 6:40am
3strokemx wrote:
Wow sounds wonderful, i can't believe other people don't choose to live on a different sleep schedule than their spouse.  Truly the American dream. Thank you...

Wow sounds wonderful, i can't believe other people don't choose to live on a different sleep schedule than their spouse.  Truly the American dream. Thank you for this inspiration.

Surely won't lead to any marital issues. 

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2
NWmx756
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Vancouver, WA US
1/22/2026 6:45am

That's vaguely same ratio as ACBaiiley presented, even if you don't like his exact numbers,

web mx wrote:

No, He said $ 50,000 average income in 1990 when it was actually 21,500. $ 30,000 was household income in 90 if your wife worked too.

Either way, BARGAIN.

Screenshot 2026-01-22 064358
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2
MOTO13
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Elkhorn, WI US
1/22/2026 6:51am
MOTO13 wrote:
LOL...Like I said, everything is sooo fkng tough today. Ever live on $5/hr? I worked full time fixing sewing machines and vacuums as a kid and...

LOL...Like I said, everything is sooo fkng tough today. Ever live on $5/hr? I worked full time fixing sewing machines and vacuums as a kid and through college as a FT off campus student. My GF/wife also contributed, but we lived lean...REALLY lean, just to only hopefully end up broke each month. $500 car (we had one car worth $500), $400/mo rent (I think). We didn't have a cel phone, big TV, cable/satellite service or $10 coffees. We weremt fkng stupid with money. People claim to have it tough and yet they spend $500/mo on their TV and cel phone alone. Plus they want a $50k car. I had No motorcycle...nothing at the time. My first job out of college was as a fed aufitor at $19k a year. We bought a $60k house a year later (3x my salary). Now, people make 3-4 times what I started at. Plus, we moved to where the money was several times so I could make more at CPA firms. We didn't sit on our ass and complain and look for mommy and daddy hand outs.

3strokemx wrote:
Buying a house a year out of college is wild. How did you get approved for that loan?  You probably needed like $10k for down payment...

Buying a house a year out of college is wild. How did you get approved for that loan?  You probably needed like $10k for down payment and closing costs?   

We put 3% down and had to have MIPS insurance as required by the loan. Yeah, I had to be on the job for at least 1 year to get approved. Then had to submit my pay stubs, checking account statements (the bank looked to track how we spent the money we made and make sure there weren't any other personal loans being paid possibly), 2 years tax returns and hope they'd approve us. It was a real look at how you lived and if your finances were accurate to be sure the loan could actually be afforded and repaid

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truck
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1/22/2026 6:52am
ACBailey89 wrote:
Just did some digging Average Income in 1990 was 50k, Average Home Proce was 68,000. Average Income in 2025 is 68k, Average Home price is 414k.Yeah, things aren’t...

Just did some digging 


Average Income in 1990 was 50k, Average Home Proce was 68,000. 


Average Income in 2025 is 68k, Average Home price is 414k.

Yeah, things aren’t the same as they were back in the day.

truck wrote:
At least use the same data source for your income numbers. 1990 was 21k using same source as you're using for current wages. https://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/AWI.htmlNow look up the...

At least use the same data source for your income numbers. 1990 was 21k using same source as you're using for current wages. 

https://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/AWI.html

Now look up the square footage of the average house built 40 years ago vs now. You can still build a 1500 sq ft 3 bedroom ranch on a slab with no garage if you want to for way less than that average and relatively less percentage of your income compared to 1990, but again, people don't want to do that. Cost and wages aren't the issue. Desires and priorities are. 

Sandusky26 wrote:

That house you are talking about will still run 250,0000.

I'm sorry but you old fuckers are wrong and fucked it up for the young bloods.

That's roughly 100,000 in 1990 money. Today it's a mortgage payment less than 2k per month. If a young married couple can't cover that they've made some poor life choices. Getting a mortgage for a place you can afford is easy, it becomes difficult if you have shit credit, unstable income, or are trying to max out debt to income. 

One thing i will give you is student loans, but even that's a choice. Much of what's borrowed is for cost of living/housing for a dorm suite with private bathroom and gym and pool and on and on.....

I went from community college to state school to public school for med school. Dorm was concrete wall closet with communal bathroom and meal plan left a lot to be desired but i didn't starve. Any college kids choosing that to save money today or nah? 

It's telling to me that you can simply report what your experience was in the past and just stating these facts gets the youngins all wound up. I think deep down the frustration comes from knowing that what me and the boomers are saying is true but not wanting to make those same sacrifices. 

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3strokemx
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1/22/2026 6:52am
web mx wrote:

No, He said $ 50,000 average income in 1990 when it was actually 21,500. $ 30,000 was household income in 90 if your wife worked too.

Either way, BARGAIN.

NWmx756 wrote:
Screenshot 2026-01-22 064358

Someone I know found a way to be an exception to this averaged data, so that means everyone younger than me is a lazy idiot because that's what I saw on social media and it makes me feel smart and accomplished.

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truck
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1/22/2026 6:58am
3strokemx wrote:
Wow sounds wonderful, i can't believe other people don't choose to live on a different sleep schedule than their spouse.  Truly the American dream. Thank you...

Wow sounds wonderful, i can't believe other people don't choose to live on a different sleep schedule than their spouse.  Truly the American dream. Thank you for this inspiration.

Surely won't lead to any marital issues. 

My wife worked 60 hours per week while I was in residency working 80 with two kids who spent way too much time at daycare. Wasn't great but she no longer works and we're living comfortable and happy now. People didn't used to find the concept of delayed gratification insulting.

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truck
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1/22/2026 7:04am
web mx wrote:

No, He said $ 50,000 average income in 1990 when it was actually 21,500. $ 30,000 was household income in 90 if your wife worked too.

Either way, BARGAIN.

NWmx756 wrote:
Screenshot 2026-01-22 064358

If you want to live like your grandparents did you still can for much less than those average home prices. That average is a reflection of what people desire, not what a house from 50 years ago costs today. 

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2223-SE-139th-Ave-Portland-OR-97233/…

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1/22/2026 7:15am

Either way, BARGAIN.

NWmx756 wrote:
Screenshot 2026-01-22 064358
truck wrote:
If you want to live like your grandparents did you still can for much less than those average home prices. That average is a reflection of...

If you want to live like your grandparents did you still can for much less than those average home prices. That average is a reflection of what people desire, not what a house from 50 years ago costs today. 

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2223-SE-139th-Ave-Portland-OR-97233/…

As a younger person I think most people just want the american dream, like having one income provide for the house like our grandparents did. I make damn good money for my area and I still thinks it's just a dream to do that with the economy right now. 

 

5
Spoonguy
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1/22/2026 7:17am
3strokemx wrote:
Wow sounds wonderful, i can't believe other people don't choose to live on a different sleep schedule than their spouse.  Truly the American dream. Thank you...

Wow sounds wonderful, i can't believe other people don't choose to live on a different sleep schedule than their spouse.  Truly the American dream. Thank you for this inspiration.

Surely won't lead to any marital issues. 

Surely it won't, some people believe in being committed to a purpose larger than just their immediate gratification.

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Spoonguy
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1/22/2026 7:23am
Spoonguy wrote:
My daughter works a night shift nursing, her husband works days as an electrician. They can drop each other off if they choose, though they own...

My daughter works a night shift nursing, her husband works days as an electrician. They can drop each other off if they choose, though they own two cars. We live in Pennsylvania, it is legal to use all 24 hours of a day productively.

3strokemx wrote:
Wow sounds wonderful, i can't believe other people don't choose to live on a different sleep schedule than their spouse.  Truly the American dream. Thank you...

Wow sounds wonderful, i can't believe other people don't choose to live on a different sleep schedule than their spouse.  Truly the American dream. Thank you for this inspiration.

It is easier to cry poor isn't it than accept personal responsibility for your finances. It is an arrangement that will not be for long, it will not be long the kids will be full time in school and the mortgage will be paid. People have been known to work towards future goals.

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3strokemx
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2340
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1/22/2026 7:23am
truck wrote:
At least use the same data source for your income numbers. 1990 was 21k using same source as you're using for current wages. https://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/AWI.htmlNow look up the...

At least use the same data source for your income numbers. 1990 was 21k using same source as you're using for current wages. 

https://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/AWI.html

Now look up the square footage of the average house built 40 years ago vs now. You can still build a 1500 sq ft 3 bedroom ranch on a slab with no garage if you want to for way less than that average and relatively less percentage of your income compared to 1990, but again, people don't want to do that. Cost and wages aren't the issue. Desires and priorities are. 

Sandusky26 wrote:

That house you are talking about will still run 250,0000.

I'm sorry but you old fuckers are wrong and fucked it up for the young bloods.

truck wrote:
That's roughly 100,000 in 1990 money. Today it's a mortgage payment less than 2k per month. If a young married couple can't cover that they've made...

That's roughly 100,000 in 1990 money. Today it's a mortgage payment less than 2k per month. If a young married couple can't cover that they've made some poor life choices. Getting a mortgage for a place you can afford is easy, it becomes difficult if you have shit credit, unstable income, or are trying to max out debt to income. 

One thing i will give you is student loans, but even that's a choice. Much of what's borrowed is for cost of living/housing for a dorm suite with private bathroom and gym and pool and on and on.....

I went from community college to state school to public school for med school. Dorm was concrete wall closet with communal bathroom and meal plan left a lot to be desired but i didn't starve. Any college kids choosing that to save money today or nah? 

It's telling to me that you can simply report what your experience was in the past and just stating these facts gets the youngins all wound up. I think deep down the frustration comes from knowing that what me and the boomers are saying is true but not wanting to make those same sacrifices. 

I think both perspectives are true.   At the present there are more barriers to being financially comfortable and previous generations had more motivation.

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truck
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Fantasy
1/22/2026 7:30am
NWmx756 wrote:
Screenshot 2026-01-22 064358
truck wrote:
If you want to live like your grandparents did you still can for much less than those average home prices. That average is a reflection of...

If you want to live like your grandparents did you still can for much less than those average home prices. That average is a reflection of what people desire, not what a house from 50 years ago costs today. 

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2223-SE-139th-Ave-Portland-OR-97233/…

Lentz197 wrote:
As a younger person I think most people just want the american dream, like having one income provide for the house like our grandparents did. I...

As a younger person I think most people just want the american dream, like having one income provide for the house like our grandparents did. I make damn good money for my area and I still thinks it's just a dream to do that with the economy right now. 

 

I understand that, but the American dream they think the generations before them had was not the romanticized version they envision. Grandma stayed home, but she also cooked every meal, eating out wasn't a thing, had a garden, sewed her own clothes, had 3 over the air TV channels, party line phone, tiny house that she couldn't leave when her husband had the car at work, no gym membership, botox, walk in closet that's overflowing...... the American dream that people want now is all the comforts that come with dual or high income without having to both work for it. That has never been the reality for most Americans. This isn't new. 

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Spoonguy
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Mc Kean, PA US
1/22/2026 7:33am
NWmx756 wrote:
Screenshot 2026-01-22 064358
truck wrote:
If you want to live like your grandparents did you still can for much less than those average home prices. That average is a reflection of...

If you want to live like your grandparents did you still can for much less than those average home prices. That average is a reflection of what people desire, not what a house from 50 years ago costs today. 

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2223-SE-139th-Ave-Portland-OR-97233/…

Lentz197 wrote:
As a younger person I think most people just want the american dream, like having one income provide for the house like our grandparents did. I...

As a younger person I think most people just want the american dream, like having one income provide for the house like our grandparents did. I make damn good money for my area and I still thinks it's just a dream to do that with the economy right now. 

 

One family living with just one parent working was something that happened for a brief few decades in this country post WWII when this country was the dominant economy because the rest of the world was in ruins. The reality is for the vast, vast majority of human existance life was very tough. I believe the majority of families even owning a home in the USA only happened post WWII. Life before that in this country was often very brutal for the working class. Unfortunately because of the increased competitiveness of the international economy we may very well return to that model for average people. The solution to the individual is don't be average, excel in a good field, pursue logical education, make wise financial decisions, and plan your future.

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MOTO13
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1/22/2026 7:36am

It sometimes makes me cringe when I see on this site people taking out a loan for a new bike. I don't even know if a bank would have approved a loan on an MX bike 20 or 30 years ago. But, bikes weren't $12,000 BITD also. My philosphy has always been, I have never been pissed off I didn't spend money in my life. That being said, I am also the financial genius with $50k in mountain bikes...so I've had my turn at financial idiocy as well. 

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Spoonguy
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Location
Mc Kean, PA US
1/22/2026 7:36am
truck wrote:
If you want to live like your grandparents did you still can for much less than those average home prices. That average is a reflection of...

If you want to live like your grandparents did you still can for much less than those average home prices. That average is a reflection of what people desire, not what a house from 50 years ago costs today. 

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2223-SE-139th-Ave-Portland-OR-97233/…

Lentz197 wrote:
As a younger person I think most people just want the american dream, like having one income provide for the house like our grandparents did. I...

As a younger person I think most people just want the american dream, like having one income provide for the house like our grandparents did. I make damn good money for my area and I still thinks it's just a dream to do that with the economy right now. 

 

truck wrote:
I understand that, but the American dream they think the generations before them had was not the romanticized version they envision. Grandma stayed home, but she...

I understand that, but the American dream they think the generations before them had was not the romanticized version they envision. Grandma stayed home, but she also cooked every meal, eating out wasn't a thing, had a garden, sewed her own clothes, had 3 over the air TV channels, party line phone, tiny house that she couldn't leave when her husband had the car at work, no gym membership, botox, walk in closet that's overflowing...... the American dream that people want now is all the comforts that come with dual or high income without having to both work for it. That has never been the reality for most Americans. This isn't new. 

Grandma and grandpa didn't have money, time, or interest in tatoos, dyed hair, jewelry, or multiple piercings. Patching clothes and hand me downs were very real things.

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Spoonguy
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3391
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1/22/2026 7:40am
MOTO13 wrote:
LOL...Like I said, everything is sooo fkng tough today. Ever live on $5/hr? I worked full time fixing sewing machines and vacuums as a kid and...

LOL...Like I said, everything is sooo fkng tough today. Ever live on $5/hr? I worked full time fixing sewing machines and vacuums as a kid and through college as a FT off campus student. My GF/wife also contributed, but we lived lean...REALLY lean, just to only hopefully end up broke each month. $500 car (we had one car worth $500), $400/mo rent (I think). We didn't have a cel phone, big TV, cable/satellite service or $10 coffees. We weremt fkng stupid with money. People claim to have it tough and yet they spend $500/mo on their TV and cel phone alone. Plus they want a $50k car. I had No motorcycle...nothing at the time. My first job out of college was as a fed aufitor at $19k a year. We bought a $60k house a year later (3x my salary). Now, people make 3-4 times what I started at. Plus, we moved to where the money was several times so I could make more at CPA firms. We didn't sit on our ass and complain and look for mommy and daddy hand outs.

3strokemx wrote:
Buying a house a year out of college is wild. How did you get approved for that loan?  You probably needed like $10k for down payment...

Buying a house a year out of college is wild. How did you get approved for that loan?  You probably needed like $10k for down payment and closing costs?   

My kids worked full time through college, it was hard, but they bought a house out of college. It can be done, but it is hard. It can not be done if you are dumb though, which many people who are have a hard time admitting that they are.

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1/22/2026 7:45am
MOTO13 wrote:
LOL...Like I said, everything is sooo fkng tough today. Ever live on $5/hr? I worked full time fixing sewing machines and vacuums as a kid and...

LOL...Like I said, everything is sooo fkng tough today. Ever live on $5/hr? I worked full time fixing sewing machines and vacuums as a kid and through college as a FT off campus student. My GF/wife also contributed, but we lived lean...REALLY lean, just to only hopefully end up broke each month. $500 car (we had one car worth $500), $400/mo rent (I think). We didn't have a cel phone, big TV, cable/satellite service or $10 coffees. We weremt fkng stupid with money. People claim to have it tough and yet they spend $500/mo on their TV and cel phone alone. Plus they want a $50k car. I had No motorcycle...nothing at the time. My first job out of college was as a fed aufitor at $19k a year. We bought a $60k house a year later (3x my salary). Now, people make 3-4 times what I started at. Plus, we moved to where the money was several times so I could make more at CPA firms. We didn't sit on our ass and complain and look for mommy and daddy hand outs.

3strokemx wrote:
Buying a house a year out of college is wild. How did you get approved for that loan?  You probably needed like $10k for down payment...

Buying a house a year out of college is wild. How did you get approved for that loan?  You probably needed like $10k for down payment and closing costs?   

Spoonguy wrote:
My kids worked full time through college, it was hard, but they bought a house out of college. It can be done, but it is hard...

My kids worked full time through college, it was hard, but they bought a house out of college. It can be done, but it is hard. It can not be done if you are dumb though, which many people who are have a hard time admitting that they are.

timing is everything with buying a house too though. right now the timing is terrible even if you do have the money. 

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