My twenty-somethings kids are just, different. Anyone else noticing this?

[JL95]

Employing this group of people is nauseating. You are right, they know they will never get a place of their own so they only need enough money for their door dash and funkopop. Loser fucks. My old neighbors have 3 sons over 20 that live in pj pants with anime stickers on their cars they didn't buy that their dad washes for them.

I know this is RDP and its full of ballers but lets be honest how many of yall are the ones buying Brittany her new $1.4M house in orchard hills because you want them to be close to grandma and grandpa. I see a ton of handouts here to full grown adult children and its wild. /poor guy observation

 

[SBMech]

It works for you because you have skills and experience to fall back on. The majority we're talking about want the fuck off time but don't have any experience or skills to fall back on. IE: social influencer

Yea, I have watched and experienced what my friends kids are learning in school now...compared to the education we got, they are being indoctrinated to be sheep!

It's scary.

 

[Familyties]

72 now, been married for almost 50 years. By the time I was 25 had 2 kids and bought a house I didn't think I could afford. Back then I was paying $175 a month for rent and thought I was crazy to buy that house and have a payment of $205 a month, but it worked out. Had dirt bikes, boats and campers and motorhomes thru the kids gowning up. Still working almost full time and enjoying life.

 

[Nanu/Nanu]

Lets also remember these 20 somethings also watched their parents have a really hard time in 2008/2009

Probably left somewhat of a lasting impression on the smart ones.

 

[Cdog]

For me…….. I did not give my only daughter a “hand out”. I gave her a ”hand up”.

I did this by covering all expenses until she was firmly on her own 2 feet. At 31, she owns her own home, and has a stellar high paying job.

I don’t feel bad for anything! Lol

This is our model. We both got a raw deal from our boomer parents and want to do better but not ruin our kids.

 

[Cdog]

Lets also remember these 20 somethings also watched their parents have a really hard time in 2008/2009

Probably left somewhat of a lasting impression on the smart ones.

My grandfather lived through the depression. Worked to support his parents until he signed up for WW2 because it was the best option.

These cry babies "Dont know shit about fuck"

HAHA!

 

[FROGMAN524]

My grandfather lived through the depression. Worked to support his parents until he signed up for WW2 because it was the best option.

These cry babies "Dont know shit about fuck"

HAHA!

Hard times now aren't what they used to be, that's for sure! The greatest generation dying out is a travesty.

 

[dirtslinger2]

I feel somewhat lucky, if you call it lucky.

I have a 26y/o that has a good career at Chevron, he doesn't own, because of prices in the South Bay, but he's married, having a kid soon, and is completely self sufficient. He doesn't ask for anything. He doesn't have much savings, but I'm blaming that on him building a pretty damn bad ass pre-runner truck, and trying to get if finished before he has the kid and will not have the time or money to finish after that.

My 22 y/o daughter just finished College this year, and before she goes and becomes a High School teacher, she decided she was gonna use her connection in the VIP bar industry and move to Nashville for fun and Money. She works hard. I dropped her off in Nashville Labor Day weekend, no friends, no job, and staying with my friends for 1 month max.
She already has 2 jobs, LOL, one of them is opening up the PBR bar in Nashville. I'm proud of her for just saying "F" it, I'm gonna go see what life has in store for me.

 

[Willie B]

… Neighbor girl is 29… Sometimes she works for an employer running the office for dentists… and sometime she doesn’t currently she is taking care of her grandmother and taking care of me… But she is still chasing the big bucks. She has a partner who is a master pastry chef… may have some of their work coming on channel 5 KTLA relatively soon…
… Is she eventually going to hit it big… You never know???… She has also seen my lifestyle and knows all about it …so what I’m saying here is she knows both sides of the coin… when her grandmother passes away and she gets half of that house…And I pass away, and she gets my house. She will be a real estate millionaire… has this made her lazy… I don’t think so…She is a busy hard charging young lady… So for right now she has figured out how to not have to put up with the bullshit in a dental office???…

 

[TCHB]

Those dam hippies will never grow up. Now that the hippies have grown up they sit around, smoke legal weed and drink wine. Hippies

 

[Willie B]

Those dam hippies will never grow up. Now that the hippies have grown up they sit around, smoke legal weed and drink wine. Hippies

… So is that where I have blown it… not smoking, legal weed… And not sitting around drinking wine???… who knew???…

 

[SternDrive]

Are these 20 somethings the children we all protected & coddled as we reared them? Are we the cause?

Yes....

 

[Motor Boater]

I don’t see anything wrong with a simpler alternative lifestyle as long as you can still save for your retirement and your not a burden on others later in life.

 

[mbrown2]

My grandfather lived through the depression. Worked to support his parents until he signed up for WW2 because it was the best option.

These cry babies "Dont know shit about fuck"

HAHA!

Rogan often says something like... "The most difficult time you had, is the most difficult you had"...I probably screwed it up.. but it is true... A guy growing up during the depression did not have much, so they could not compare to much...Coming out of the depression, going to a far off war that had america's support to come home to a VA program that would lend 2k/4k on a home when the average price was 8k.....it really was a step up and millions of GI's took advantage of it in the years post the war. This sort of injection of capital into home building generated jobs and stimulus to the economy... Yes, a tougher road through WW2 to get to home ownership.

On the flip side the kid growing up in Scottsdale during the 90's with two parents working, nice escalade and a beemer and kid gets most of what he/she needs to sustain in his/her socioeconomic circle... just getting to graduation and maybe on a varsity sports team or drill team was the toughest challenge they ever faced... Yes, the earlier generation was built different because they experienced different... that kid in Scottsdale experienced no similar challenges and as such they are not built the same as the ww2 20 yr old, and I don't expect them to have the same behaviors as a post depression kid.

 

[Racey]

All these YOLO knuckleheads are in for a rude awakening down the line, especially if they have no inheritance to fall back on.

In 2 generations the hedge funds will own everything and society will be back at the serfdom that caused the American Revolution.

 

[HgH Vltg]

It really is an interesting conversation, and it's funny, 2 pages in and really no one opposing the viewpoints shared thus far.

I'm 36, (2) houses, only payments are the houses, married 2 years ago with no kids. I did my homework in the library, went to college, ran the family business till we sold it, now working my way up at another company.

My brother in law, (3) years younger than me, is a part time mailman, has been kicked out of his last (2) places hes lived, just moved into a new one at $1000/month for the room, and is on his 3rd hand me down vehicle. Has had 2-3 different career paths paid for and subsidized by my in-laws, and does not practice any of them as a career. Wants a tesla and a high paying job. Doesn't have an ounce of heart to sit in the trenches and earn that living, just is expecting to land a job that is $100k + a year without taking his licks.

Guaranteed in 10 years he'll be renting one of my places, or living with us.

 

[Nanu/Nanu]

My grandfather lived through the depression. Worked to support his parents until he signed up for WW2 because it was the best option.

These cry babies "Dont know shit about fuck"

HAHA!

Different times for sure... i dont know shit about fuck when it comes to finances. But i have a strong body so i make my money by working

The apprentices i see now know way more about finances than i do but they struggle with the labor part.

Its a give and take. If i show them the work part they can teach me the finance part.

I dont know man, but the world is still turning.

 

[OCMerrill]

As a Gen X'r myself, my family has been troubled (like many others my age) by inheritance theft, divorce, physical and sexual abuse (both child and adult) as I grew up.

I grew up fast, needed to take care of my sister, after mother and father bailed to live their own lives when we were teens. After my sister found someone to love and take care of her I was finally free to do what I wanted, financially and physically. So I did.

I took several years off my career as a mechanic to ride snowboards, run a skate park, surfed from Rincon to Todos Santos. I travelled around on various road trips, hitting 40 states or so, America is AMAZING....highly recommend the states tour, some of my fondest memories. I also LOVE road tripping...but that's another story.

Coming back to reality so to speak, I worked in high end shops in Santa Barbara, driving European and Exotic vehicles daily both for testing and diagnosis purposes.

I guess that's why I never really felt like I was missing much not actually owning a nice car...I drive them all the time. I still tend to work as little as possible lately...I rented a multi-million dollar home for 15 years here until the end of that relationship, now I have no urge to purchase an expensive cage to live in....millions to have a place to sleep in?.....seems like that really.

I've got skill and talents in multiple areas of expertise, I'm not afraid of working for the rest of my life, since I'm broken and used up from having so much fun in my 20's 30's and 40's....besides....one of my mentors as a mechanic watched his friends retire early, a year in the rocking chair and they were toes up....

His words always stuck with me, keep busy living, or get busy dying, your choice!

Since I can make money just about anywhere, and my skills are almost always in demand, I would have to say that I feel no pressure to be ultra successful. Money is not the end all for me. I'm still enjoying the ride....I take time off when I feel like it, I do what I want, when I want for the most part.

It works for me.

I also have no kids.

I see my friends overcompensate for their hard upbringing with their kids, spare the rod, spoil the child is really true. I would think a lot of the 20 somethings issues comes from that.

Gen X just the same.

You know what else steals your inheritance?
The surviving Step family...thats who. Ask me how I know.

Everything I have and own came from me. No old money involved and I have never inherited a nickel. I have to believe its still possible to achieve your goals in spite of no financial head start.

I watch others on here do what they do and while I know there is a silver spoon to some the majority here are working hard weather they own a business (me) work in the trades (Union or not) or were able to obtain the highest of education and put that to work making money, or flat were in the right place at the right time.

It flat can't be "It's Impossible." It's definitely still possible.

 

[EmpirE231]

YOU LACK DISCIPLINE!!

 

[D19]

When you're in your twenties and having a ball, it's easy to think you have all the time in the world to prepare for the future.

40 comes quick and if you're approaching the 2nd half of life without any savings or assets, you better like working or going without because that's going to be your life til you die.

My wife and I sometimes watch the youtube videos of this new wanderlust vagabond generation who turn anything on wheels into a "tiny-home" and brag about their low cost lifestyle. That shit might seem fun, but that lifestyle is going to age you quick! You aint fooling me, no ones wants to do their laundry in a bucket and shit in a hole in the woods or desert forever. You're just taking what you think is the easy way out of life and glamorizing it.

Call me old fashioned but I strive for security and flexibility that only income can provide. I want to know that when I'm ready to lift my foot off the pedal that I have assets/income to live on and I'm defiantly on my way there. I don't want to be a burden. You either pay the government or collect from the government. I'd rather pay!

I think that having a place to live in that you own should be priority #1. Not just for me, but also my family. I guess if your single, you can be selfish and not worry about those things, but that shit is going to catch up and bite those people in the ass someday and they'll wish they had kids to mooch from when they cant afford to live.

 

[stephenkatsea]

Both of our daughters are beyond their 20s. We provided their educations. We’re very proud to say both, with their husbands own their homes. They did this without requiring help from us. Our early 20s grandsons are also squared away. They and particular kids of our friends are conservative. Very interesting to hear their separate stories about growing up conservative in CA these days. It’s very sad to hear. It hasn’t been easy for them.

 

[mbrown2]

You aint fooling me, no ones wants to do their laundry in a bucket and shit in a hole in the woods or desert forever.

This made me lol...

 

[DaveH]

an entire generation of spoiled entitled brats and we are having a hard time understanding why they dont want to go work hard and provide for themselves? really? all they have to do is turn to social media to get the instant gratification they have been brough up on.

sure a few will break the mold. not enough though. will be interesting to see where these little brats are 15 years from now.

i also find it interesting that this generation is the first to grow up with legal weed. anyone that thinks that isnt a factor is kidding themselves.

 

[was thatguy]

So what happens when these nonchalant wanderers are the patriarchs of the family AND the country?

I suppose any of them so spoiled as to live that life will likely just inherit the family home and a trust fund.

 

[Tremor Therapy]

Lets also remember these 20 somethings also watched their parents have a really hard time in 2008/2009

Probably left somewhat of a lasting impression on the smart ones.

This right here is what I was alluding to in my first post, and I have hope, at least for my 4 kids.

They saw this firsthand and got a crash course in it. Late 2006, the very beginning of the downturn I got laid off, couldn't find a job for 6 months, then got laid off that job after 6 months. Trying to juggle expenses, burning through savings because unemployment ran out 6 months earlier. Sold the boat (kids really cried on that one), sold the other toys, sold one of the cars, wife went to work to keep us fed and pay some of the bills. No more music lessons, no more sports teams, no vacations, no eating out, not turning on the a/c in the house, just surviving. After a year and some savings is gone and the stress is off the chain! My two older girls getting part time jobs so they could afford any luxuries....they lived this!

Almost lost my house but was finally able to get a job making less than half what I made 3 years previous. A lot of drama. But where I have some hope is that they also saw my wife and I dig out of this hell. Paid back every fucking cent we owed. No BK, no credit card reduction, no mortgage modification, we paid back every penny. They saw this, and they know it is hard work but can be done. Someone mentioned Joe Rogan....its the struggle! My kids saw it, lived it, participated in it, and I am hopeful that they understand what it is going to take to be successful.

 

[Xring01]

I can’t say it’s good or bad- it’s just different.

When I was 27 I was married with two kids, was on my second home, and almost a decade into my chosen career path. Sixty-hour work weeks followed by boat and hot rod projects and planning the next house upgrade seemed normal.

I have two kids in their twenties, college educated with all the opportunities to succeed or excel in a familiar path. Both are single, rent rooms with friends in their chosen locations, and just kind of live life without pushing for things my generation pushed for. My son enjoys DJ’ing and being a part of the Phoenix stand-up comic world and carries a couple of jobs to cover the bills, with a smile on his face. My daughter likes the Flagstaff vibe and does just enough work to pay rent and go on whatever adventures she feels like going on with friends or by herself. She has no car on purpose because Uber is cheaper and requires her to work less, leaving more time for travel and hobbies. Both take care of themselves and never ask for anything. After a few years of watching this dynamic, it seems pretty normal for an entire generation. We’ve hosted lots of young travelers looking for farm experience. With little to their names and little holding them back- they just seem to be on a long adventure looking for a little slice of happiness. I know there are more driven kids out there who will likely slay the world with little competition, and I honestly identify more with that mindset.

I’m getting better at not wanting more for the kids and even marveling at the simplicity of their choices at times. I know just as many people my age on the path to a more simple life so it leaves me wondering if some of these kids have things figured out better than I did at that age.

Not bashing this generation that goes in either direction, just thought it might make for an interesting conversation.

My son is 25, and daughter is 23…

Son got married in early Aug, working his way thru college for Mechanical Engineering Degree. Is opening a Engineering firm (without his degree) to design water systems for the state of CA, for his former employer, while attending college. Got fed up with CA BS, and relocated to PHX area to attend ASU. Just rented 4 bed room house with his fiance. So making $$$ and achieving his goals. His past jobs where is high end aviation manufacturing, welding, auto body, boat mechanic and other things.

Daughter… is a Registered Nurse at UC Davis in Sacramento. Thats one very difficult job to get hired into, straight out college. Yet she did it. About to move in with her boyfriend. Again, making $$$ and achieving her goals.

My kids are Gen Z not millinials… so maybe thats the difference???

Because their have slightly older cousins, that are millinials, who make good $$$, but live stupid cheap so they can travel to Bali, Costa Rica, Australia every other month… ????

 

[Sharky]

All these YOLO knuckleheads are in for a rude awakening down the line, especially if they have no inheritance to fall back on.

Or the inheritance, they where looking forward to, gets taxed to hell because of the way these young people are voting today.

Sure. . . you are going to inherit M&D's $1.8 mil dollar house. Or 2. Good luck paying the property taxes on it/them.

 

[brecht]

Doesn't have an ounce of heart to sit in the trenches and earn that living, just is expecting to land a job that is $100k + a year without taking his licks.

I see that a lot and hard to think that's not the disconnect as well. A lot of people think putting in the time should equal the money (time=money) but the reality is value=money. Time can equal more value, but not always - its up to you. Too many people around me are spinning their tires but aren't building up their value so nothing changes.

 

[Willie B]

an entire generation of spoiled entitled brats and we are having a hard time understanding why they dont want to go work hard and provide for themselves? really? all they have to do is turn to social media to get the instant gratification they have been brough up on.

sure a few will break the mold. not enough though. will be interesting to see where these little brats are 15 years from now.

i also find it interesting that this generation is the first to grow up with legal weed. anyone that thinks that isnt a factor is kidding themselves.

… You are 100%, correct… Legal weed is a huge factor… Ask me how I know???… I left a blossoming career in electronics… at the age of 23…. Because I started smoking weed… But on the positive side of weed, it’s slowed my mind down enough to where I could get in a couple of years of college… where I finally learned how to learn …big time…
… Some of the youth of today have come out on the plus side of weed… because it has enabled them to get direction that they never had before..: for other youth it has enabled them to become couch, potatoes…
… When the subject came up for the legalization of marijuana in California… My exact thoughts were …oh no… Here we go as I had been there.., I was deeply opposed…
… Some very interesting comments in this thread… validity on both sides of the coin… definitely a subject that should be discussed and analyzed…

 

[hallett21]

I can’t keep up with quoting people lol.

My feelings are there are layers to this. I don’t even know where you start to unpack it all.

You have people in every generation that are pieces of shit. And they always will be.

If all it took was hard work to be successful I’ve got a few guys in a cobalt mine who would like to have a word.

Then on the other hand you have boomers who killed it in real estate. Their millennial children will inherit a mini property management company with assets.

I have a very successful FIL who owns his CPA firm. Absolute stud when it comes to understanding todays markets, the history of the markets etc. But he’s been calling for a crash since 2012ish. So sadly my wife’s siblings have all held off on buying because the “crash is coming”. My wife and I bought in 2018 and never looked back. I’m fine calling it dumb luck. But the barrier to entry has skyrocketed. 2 of them live at home and make 100k a year.

But they can’t stomach paying $6,000 a month by themselves.

Millennials were told go to college and you’ll make 100k. That was a lie. Now you have a generation saddled with a large amount of debt and degree that won’t ever make them money. It was the boomers who wrapped that shit sandwich and put a bow on it.

Boomers were supposedly the “last” generation who could make a good living in the blue collar field. Yet now those of us in a blue collar job are running circles around our white collar friends. This excludes medical field, CPA, Finance, Engineering, Legit sales etc.

Then you have the psychological effects that TV, Computers and Social media have caused on serotonin and happiness in the brain. I think this effects Gen Z? The most. We’ve created a new “drug” that gives the same satisfaction that used to be achieved by a hard days work and the success that came with it.

Someone mentioned having value. I think the younger generation was not taught that. Everyone got a trophy and there was no winning. You reep what you sow.

 

[Tooms22]

As long as they're happy, don't blame the system or another generation for their life choices, and pay for it themselves... it's America, you do whatever the hell you want.

Wife and I are 33 and 34. She's been an attorney for 9 years and me for 8. Wife is a partner at a firm and I have my own small firm. As a partner, she is essentially a business owner. She's a straight juggernaut of a work horse.

No plans on kids. Might think about it a little more if we weren't in CA but don't really want to raise kids here. Also wife was an only child, so she has never been super sold on children in the first place.

About 2016 we had about $330k in student debt. There's about $40k left that we aren't paying off faster because savings accounts have a higher interest rates right now Side note: Pay your goddamn loans off and shut up

We have 3 expensive vehicles with terrible payments that don't bother us because they're fun and we enjoy cars. We have a house in Corona, wife bought in 2015 for $470k when we were dating, now worth $900k. Beautiful view, 4 bedroom, side yard that fits up to a 29 Laveycraft . House in the Foothills in Havasu that we bought new September 2022. 2002 29 Lavey that we just repowered. We max out 401ks, Roth IRAs, profit sharing, and whatever other savings options her firm has.

Here is where I view the issue with most people - Too much social media baller influence and failure to understand building wealth, especially through real estate and owning a business.

Social media drives the need to look wealthy and do certain activities/go on vacations. That becomes super important to people instead of growing their career or purchasing a home. They also think they can become rich off social media and that it will not be a 40+ hour a week job.

Second, when buying a home, they want location. They will buy a garbage million home in LA/OC because location and be house poor for years. My brother is 28 and works hard and makes good money for his age but wants to buy near a beach. He's also upset he doesn't own a home yet. I try to push him to buy inland because your first house doesn't have to be your forever home. But get in the home owning game and build some equity. I have way too many friends who could've bought 2020 or earlier but cared too much about location. We know people who are buying $1.5-3 million houses because they didn't get in the game early enough. Their home owning cost is equal both of our houses, our cars, and maybe even student loan payment (another mortgage).

Owning a business. I regularly tell my friends to start some type of business, even if it's a side business. The tax advantages are huge. Some will tell me eh it's too much work. Others say tell me more about the savings and tax strategies you utilize through your businesses.

At the end of the day, not enough of the under 30 generation plays the game of life to win. They just want the instant gratification. I think even the ones paying their own way now and being happy with very little will become the handout people once they have kids and realize what adult life costs when you can't just rent a room, move every year, uber everywhere, and do whatever you want.

Most people under 30 don't want to play the long game and they don't want to work more than 40 hours a week. If I laid out my wife's and my schedules this week, most people would say screw that, it's not worth it to have what they have. But by Friday of this week, I end up WFH (Work from Havasu) on Friday, boat the weekend, and work on projects.

I tell people still building their career that there are very few wealthy people who didn't work their asses off to get there. These upcoming generations don't want to believe that. The sad part is you are capable of your hardest work probably at 20-40 years of age. Then the energy is not quite the same and you don't want to miss out on your kids lives. Those are the years people are choosing to cruise. Seems like the difficult path. Those who just want to get by will likely be the beneficiaries of the future selective social security system because we know the system of everyone getting those benefits isn't sustainable.

 

[hallett21]

Or the inheritance, they where looking forward to, gets taxed to hell because of the way these young people are voting today.

Sure. . . you are going to inherit M&D's $1.8 mil dollar house. Or 2. Good luck paying the property taxes on it/them.

That inheritance will allow them to pull cash out to buy another property. They could live pretty comfortably at a whatever job while collecting 10k a month in rent.

 

[hallett21]

So what happens when these nonchalant wanderers are the patriarchs of the family AND the country?

I suppose any of them so spoiled as to live that life will likely just inherit the family home and a trust fund.

My brother and I know more than we can count in this situation. I’d say 25% have a good head on them.

The other 75% I pray are locked up tight in a trust.

Either way there becomes a big disconnect from reality when you didn’t earn that kind of wealth. Buying a Porsche is like buying a sandwich. You’re also willing to vote away your money when it’s always just “been there”.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Are these 20 somethings the children we all protected & coddled as we reared them? Are we the cause?

1000% yes.

 

[Justfishing]

Hey weather is to nice in CA. Why go anywhere else that is affordable and offers opportunities

 

[Cdog]

Rogan often says something like... "The most difficult time you had, is the most difficult you had"...I probably screwed it up.. but it is true... A guy growing up during the depression did not have much, so they could not compare to much...Coming out of the depression, going to a far off war that had america's support to come home to a VA program that would lend 2k/4k on a home when the average price was 8k.....it really was a step up and millions of GI's took advantage of it in the years post the war. This sort of injection of capital into home building generated jobs and stimulus to the economy... Yes, a tougher road through WW2 to get to home ownership.

On the flip side the kid growing up in Scottsdale during the 90's with two parents working, nice escalade and a beemer and kid gets most of what he/she needs to sustain in his/her socioeconomic circle... just getting to graduation and maybe on a varsity sports team or drill team was the toughest challenge they ever faced... Yes, the earlier generation was built different because they experienced different... that kid in Scottsdale experienced no similar challenges and as such they are not built the same as the ww2 20 yr old, and I don't expect them to have the same behaviors as a post depression kid.

I agree with the concept but think context is where it falls apart a lot of times.
I remember one of those Rogan discussions and he was comparing the city guy with city skill sets against a guy in a wilderness survival setting. And he's right about that.
Difficulty is subjective and dependent on your lifestyle and culture.

The point of raising your kids in a "good" area is the local culture of achievement. You have to bust your ass to afford it. And for the most part the kids of those parents share those values. So the kids are talking about grades, college and what they want out of life over let's score a dime bag and beat up some homeless. Competing in sports and getting jobs builds character and some baseline knowledge as "difficulty" occurs. We told our kids grades are your biggest job until you're ready to work.

The grandfather WW2 comment is really about context though. It's silly to compare survival difficulty over someones idea of difficulty in giving up luxury. That's what makes the current generations blight such a joke. At the same time there are people in the hood living through real difficulty right now.

 

[hallett21]

Hey weather is to nice in CA. Why go anywhere else that is affordable and offers opportunities

I’m in agreement. But we had generations from the 30s-90s moving to Southern California saying how great it was.

Now the same generations say pack your shit and head back east lol.

What’s good for goose is good for the gander?

It’d be one thing if people said hey we timed it right and the clock ran out for you. But you can’t just tell people it’s their lack of ambition or drive

 

[EmpirE231]

Social media has changed things

Soft parents have changed things

Socialism has changed things

I think we could talk this topic in circles for hours and never really pin it down. My biggest day-to-day goal right now is to make sure my 2 kids are able to launch and succeed on their own when the time comes. They are 14 & 11. Neither of them have any social media, not even cell phones yet. This definitely makes the parenting job that much more difficult because ALL of their friends have phones, social media etc etc. They are held accountable for their grades, both play high level club sports etc where they learn team work, failure, success, hard work etc., both go to a very conservative private school, so we are hoping to bypass a lot of the modern day brain washing happening in public schools. Trying our best, but I still feel like it will be a toss up in the end.... Our society / culture is so sideways right now... who knows where it will land. We are definitely headed towards more socialism, so is the added stress even necessary? Who knows... we will continue to put in the hard work in hopes they turn out similar to us in where they want to succeed, and not just exist.

I grew up on the very lower end of the income scale, and I believe that is what lit the fire to succeed. Myself and 3 siblings are all doing better than our parents did. Never received a dime of inheritance / hand up to get things going, and will not receive anything when they are gone. The older I get the more I reflect on this. I always wanted my kids to have a much better life than I did growing up, and I was able to do that for them so far.... but the more I think about it now... this could be a downfall for them, because things are just too easy, they live a great life, and don't really yearn for much of anything. Growing up, anyone who lived in a house (whether they rented or owned (I didn't know the difference)) was RICH in my standards, first bike was from a swapmeet, I would cut out ads from the kmart advertisements of Nintendo's and tape it on my wall... 2 years later, my parents maxed out their credit card and got us one for Christmas. The more time that goes on, the less likely I will pay for their college like I always thought I would. I will most likely help along the way, but not the full ride that I always planned on. I also am not worried about grinding myself to the bone to build "generational wealth" in order to leave them something behind. I hope they blaze their own success trail and could care less about any sort of inheritance. If they are looking forward to a potential windfall when we die, then I'd feel like I failed in raising them right. Most people I know that came from money or had a very good lifestyle growing up, never went on to level that up. They either stayed the same, or went backwards... and most of that kicked down wealth is gone by the next generation.

That's all I got for now

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

You guys do realize every generation said this about the generations before them. Look what all the hippys turned into.

Every generation in the western world has been softer than the generation before it.

 

[Orange Juice]

All these YOLO knuckleheads are in for a rude awakening down the line, especially if they have no inheritance to fall back on.

If they stay out of debt, they’d be doing better than many of their parents.

 

[was thatguy]

This thread is full of different opinions.
And most of them take almost no consideration of the fact that this country can not be taken for granted.

The USA is the only country on the face of the earth where we just always think the sun will rise just like it did yesterday.
The reason we are able to live as we choose, and not even think about any major upheavals in our world, all of us, is because people have fought tooth and nail from day one.
Who is going to do that in the future?
The non binary community?
I saw one of those really lame “survival”shows the other day. “Survive the raft” for the record it’s the worst one of all. (I like N&A and a couple other decent ones)
Anyway, one guy told another guy who is obviously flaming gay that, having been to other countries while active duty, he knows first hand the liberties we have here, including the freedom of expression.
The gay dude told him more or less that “that’s a typical cisgender opinion rooted in transphobia and white privilege”…huh?
Idiot had zero clue.
So…who will save our nation?

 

[JDKRXW]

If they stay out of debt, they’d be doing better than many of their parents.

This x100
There's massive opportunities and big cake to be made for young people right now.
My daughter's a 27yo high school teacher who's putting zero woke shit into what she's doing and excelling with school administration because they know she gets things done... unlike 1/2 of her co workers. Teachers actually decently compensated in Canada.
My 22yo son is a philosopher who's favorite quote sources are Neitzke and Descartes. He also averaging 76+hrs /wk on a wind tower top out crew - and I don't even want to know what he's going to bank this year.

If they want it - it's out there.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

This thread is full of different opinions.
And most of them take almost no consideration of the fact that this country can not be taken for granted.

The USA is the only country on the face of the earth where we just always think the sun will rise just like it did yesterday.
The reason we are able to live as we choose, and not even think about any major upheavals in our world, all of us, is because people have fought tooth and nail from day one.
Who is going to do that in the future?
The non binary community?
I saw one of those really lame “survival”shows the other day. “Survive the raft” for the record it’s the worst one of all. (I like N&A and a couple other decent ones)
Anyway, one guy told another guy who is obviously flaming gay that, having been to other countries while active duty, he knows first hand the liberties we have here, including the freedom of expression.
The gay dude told him more or less that “that’s a typical cisgender opinion rooted in transphobia and white privilege”…huh?
Idiot had zero clue.
So…who will save our nation?
View attachment 1277335

Well that community will die off because they can’t reproduce .

Your point however is well rooted. We seem to protect our children from bullying at all costs in today’s society. So what happens in their adult life when they are bullied? When we as a country are bullied?

Behavior is learned, as are coping skills. We are teaching people narcissism instead of perseverance. Rewarding victimhood instead of accomplishment.

The pendulum will swing back, but there will be strife before that happens.

 

[clarence]

The more things change . . .

Published 1991:

Generation X is Douglas Coupland's classic novel about the generation born from 1960 to 1978 ―a generation known until then simply as twenty somethings.

Andy, Claire, and Dag, each in their twenties, have quit pointless jobs in their respective hometowns to find better meaning in life. Adrift in the California desert, the trio develops an ascetic regime of story-telling, boozing, and working McJobs―"low-pay, low-prestige, low-benefit, no-future jobs in the service industry."

https://www.amazon.com/Generation-X-Tales-Accelerated-Culture/dp/031205436X/

 

[Socalx09]

I think every generation has had their problems. I’m 33, so the major headlines growing up were the columbine shootings, 9/11, and the crash of 2008. So I think we we were coddled more for sure. I remember when state colleges weren’t accepting applications basically and you had to waitlist and fight to be in college classes. Community colleges were so full since parents who originally planned to pay for their kids college couldn’t it. I grow up in Irvine and there were a lot of divorces during the crash. I think I only remember one suicide of a parent, but I’m sure the rates were up when people lost everything. I think kids watching their parents lives fall apart during the crash was huge. I know every generation has had their major issues, but that’s what I saw growing up.

I think parents became more friendly with their kids. My mom use to tell me she couldn’t imagine going into her parents bedroom. Or, telling them how she really “felt.” I use to walk into her room all the time and we would watch movies. Parents became best friends with their kids. I know some parents will pay to keep their kids close by because they do not want to lose that relationship. I don’t know if that’s because a lot of my peer group stayed at home during the college years and commuted or just parents wanting a different relationship than they had with their own parents. Again, I think we were and are still being collded.

I do see a shift in multi generational households though. I think it has to do with affordability and Covid with the visitation rules. I come from a Lebanese background so keeping grandparents at homes as they grow older is normal. The youngest, unmarried woman would take care of them. That was me at the time. Now, I see a lot more grandparents moving back in, ADUS or bringing their kids families to live with them.

As far as motivation, my husband (33) works in the commercial AC and refrigeration field. He wakes up at 230am on average and puts in 12+ hours a day. He is exhausted. Our friends don’t understand when he’s not there on weekend events since he’s on call or an emergency happens. Or, even if he chooses to just stay at home and rest on a Saturday. I usually make a joke that’s it’s overtime or double time and will pay for our gas in the boat/RV on our next trip. They just shake their heads and say that he needs a better job. I do wish he could relax a bit more, but he is completely set up for the future and won’t have to worry about anything down the line. He would also choose to work this hard if he had money lined up, he just doesn’t know how to live any other way. He got that from his parents. His family has great work ethic.

The problem with that thinking as well is my grandpa thought like that and put away so much, he didn’t live in the moment either and sadly, his wife passed away before they could enjoy all those trips they wanted to go on. I worry a lot because I have health issues and sometimes I will push to do things we can’t afford to live in the moment. Now, I’m not sure we can have kids. My health issues have put a damper on that plan. It will most likely cost us 100k to have a child. We would have to sell something or wait until rates go down to refinance and pull money out of the house.

Social media has definitely pushed a different lifestyle. I see two extremes on instagram. There’s beautiful expensive homes that 30 year olds live in with the latest and greatest that you wonder how they can afford that. And, then you see people living out of vans and traveling. Both are being pushed hard, and I know people who are trying to keep up with the jones, except they don’t know the jones and the jones are online influencers. It is weird.

Live now, live later, pay now or pay later. It really doesn’t matter as long as you are enjoying your life and aren’t stopping someone else from living theirs. There has to be a happy middle somewhere.

 

[jetboatperformance]

“For many generations…they obeyed the laws and loved the divine to which they were akin…they reckoned that qualities of character were far more important than their present prosperity. So they bore the burden of their wealth and possessions lightly, and did not let their high standard of living intoxicate them or make them lose their self-control…

But when the divine element in them became weakened…and their human traits became predominant, they ceased to be able to carry their prosperity with moderation.​

 

[Member: 71]

Hey @wash11 great thread - easy fix.

Tell them no inheritance, it’s all being donated.

Ranch: Scientologists
Cash/valuables: Mormons

That should get the wheels turning.

 

[hallett21]

Hey @wash11 great thread - easy fix.

Tell them no inheritance, it’s all being donated.

Ranch: Scientologists
Cash/valuables: Mormons

That should get the wheels turning.

I get the sentiment but then you miss out on growing businesses and estates.


Everyone here likes the show Yellowstone. The entire premise is growing the family ranch/business.

 

[was thatguy]

I get the sentiment but then you miss out on growing businesses and estates.


Everyone here likes the show Yellowstone. The entire premise is growing the family ranch/business.

I actually can’t stand Yellowstone! (Seriously)
Lol

 

[wash11]

Hey @wash11 great thread - easy fix.

Tell them no inheritance, it’s all being donated.

Ranch: Scientologists
Cash/valuables: Mormons

That should get the wheels turning.

I don’t feel like anything needs my meddling, or fixing. They are capable of whatever- this is the life they choose at this time. And, they seem to be happy about it. I’ve been open about there not being much in the way of inheritance from us. We’re pretty healthy and will likely use up anything we’ve put away as we grow too old to produce a bunch of income.

They both know how to work hard and don’t mind doing it when they need to fund something. I guess they just don’t see the value in funding a future. Yet.