Budgets and priorities

[CBH Australia]

I’m so tired of hearing “Our grandparents could buy a house on one salary, but now we can’t even afford rent on two!”
Yeah, because Grandma wasn’t blowin’ half her paycheck on $12 iced coffee and avocado toast, that’s why!

Back then, if they wanted coffee, they made it at home. With grounds so strong it could remove rust. You didn’t drink it… you survived it.

And Grandma wasn’t out there “brunchin’.” You think she had time for brunch? No! She was at home, cooking something called whatever’s left in the house.

And don’t even bring up Uber Eats.

These people today are crying about money while living in a 4-bedroom house with two SUVs, six streaming services, and matching sleeve tattoos. You think Grandpa had a tattoo? Yeah it said “Korea, 1951.” And it came with nightmares, not realitic shading.

Oh, don’t even get me started on the kids. “We can’t make ends meet, but Brayden needs the new iPhone!” No, he doesn’t! You’re giving an $1100 phone to a kid who still eats glue and boogers.

When we were kids, the family phone hung on the wall. It had a cord long enough to jump rope with, and if you wanted privacy, you had to go stand in the pantry. And somehow, we survived.

And the TV? There was one. One.
It was in the living room, and Dad controlled it. If he wanted to watch bowling, guess what? You liked bowling.

Now every room’s got a 65-inch screen, the baby’s got an iPad, and you’re sitting there wondering why you can’t afford rent.
Because you’re living like rappers, that’s why!

Grandpa wasn’t out here leasing Teslas and buying $12 smoothies called “Detox Sunrise.” He was driving a truck that sounded like thunder and smelled like oil and cigarettes.

They lived within their means. Whatever Grandpa’s paycheck bought, that’s what they had. They didn’t try to keep up with the Joneses. They were just trying to keep the family fed and a roof over their heads.

So yeah, Grandpa could buy a house on one salary. But he also didn’t have 47 subscriptions and emotional-support crystals. He had one support system, Grandma, who told him to suck it up and mow the yard.

Now folks are broke, tired, and stressed… and it’s not because of inflation… it’s because y’all keep ordering tacos from DoorDash like you’re royalty.

Wake up and smell the truth!!

 

[DieJager]

Best rant of the internet and funny because it's true

 

[Badjer]

TRUTH!

 

[mark-hunter]

Wake up and smell the truth!!

"My friends all run Porsches, Oh lord buy me a...."
Buy me a plains game safari!

I drive my second hand car, second in a row, and previous one had 20 years of service till he died of natural causes.
I will run this car to its natural end, and when I am deep in retirement, maybe, I will buy retirement car. That would be my third car in a lifetime.
Or, if I am lucky, the second hand car, that I run now, will last till I can drive.

On the other hand: my hunting friends, who "have no money to afford safari, because it is to expensive" run better cars than I do, and change them every few years, on lease or on the loan, and keep paying monthly dues - draining their bank accounts. One of my friends has no money for rifle (after he made his hunting exam), but yet he bought second new car in the family, just few months ago.

In target shooting community, most of my friends have more money invested in guns, then in car. They have passion for punching holes in paper and collecting medals. Often, one gun in the trunk is more expensive then the car itself.
Its all about priorities and passion.

But in general, people are spoiled, and do not invest in real values. In busy life they loose the greater picture.
I often say, money you own is really the money you spent.
Buying cars and goodies is just changing one commodity for another. I dont see much thrill in it.

Spending money on safari or other pursuits of passion, is getting the experience and memories, and this never looses the value and hopes you invested in.

My buffalo, as much as it costed, will never be taken away from me, and from my memories, and my DG experience engraved in my mind. This is the money spent that I will always have with me, without inflation.

Car?
I already forgot about my last one. Its only a vehicle to drive from point A to point B. Luxury or not, it is the same. Not much experience there, and every car looses value 10% per year - after 10 years you have nothing. Money wasted.

It is all about priorities, and vision, and greater picture of very short lives that we enjoy now.

 

[R eight]

Ahhh that’s nothing. You New South Welshmen don’t know what doing without is…

 

[thoma018]

@CBH Australia, happened that way were I grew up also; makes one question the survivability of the future with the values so many seem to have today. You forgot to include the jacked up truck with monster offset tires and aftermarket wheels on their "work" truck along with the "Gucci" out door clothing !

 

[uplander01]

All personal choice and attitude I guess. Every generation bitches about something, young people nowadays are IMO facing different times than we did 30-40 years ago. Me personally, I more or less believe there are rich and there are poor, and 95%+ of us fall in the poor category...some have and get to do more than others, but don't shit yourself, you're poor. That being said, get out and enjoy the life God gave you and get the most out of every day.

 

[deewayne2003]

I’m so tired of hearing “Our grandparents could buy a house on one salary, but now we can’t even afford rent on two!”
Yeah, because Grandma wasn’t blowin’ half her paycheck on $12 iced coffee and avocado toast, that’s why!

Back then, if they wanted coffee, they made it at home. With grounds so strong it could remove rust. You didn’t drink it… you survived it.

And Grandma wasn’t out there “brunchin’.” You think she had time for brunch? No! She was at home, cooking something called whatever’s left in the house.

And don’t even bring up Uber Eats.

These people today are crying about money while living in a 4-bedroom house with two SUVs, six streaming services, and matching sleeve tattoos. You think Grandpa had a tattoo? Yeah it said “Korea, 1951.” And it came with nightmares, not realitic shading.

Oh, don’t even get me started on the kids. “We can’t make ends meet, but Brayden needs the new iPhone!” No, he doesn’t! You’re giving an $1100 phone to a kid who still eats glue and boogers.

When we were kids, the family phone hung on the wall. It had a cord long enough to jump rope with, and if you wanted privacy, you had to go stand in the pantry. And somehow, we survived.

And the TV? There was one. One.
It was in the living room, and Dad controlled it. If he wanted to watch bowling, guess what? You liked bowling.

Now every room’s got a 65-inch screen, the baby’s got an iPad, and you’re sitting there wondering why you can’t afford rent.
Because you’re living like rappers, that’s why!

Grandpa wasn’t out here leasing Teslas and buying $12 smoothies called “Detox Sunrise.” He was driving a truck that sounded like thunder and smelled like oil and cigarettes.

They lived within their means. Whatever Grandpa’s paycheck bought, that’s what they had. They didn’t try to keep up with the Joneses. They were just trying to keep the family fed and a roof over their heads.

So yeah, Grandpa could buy a house on one salary. But he also didn’t have 47 subscriptions and emotional-support crystals. He had one support system, Grandma, who told him to suck it up and mow the yard.

Now folks are broke, tired, and stressed… and it’s not because of inflation… it’s because y’all keep ordering tacos from DoorDash like you’re royalty.

Wake up and smell the truth!!

Classic…. Every OZ boomer rant includes Avocado toast and high priced coffee!

Seriously though I agree with some of what you’ve said, but it also expands across generations.

I recently listened to a squad of boomers go on for half an hour about how they can’t live on social security, then spend another half hour arguing over Harleys and where they would go on their next cruise.

I’ve driven the same truck for 13 years, it’s only my second vehicle since graduating highschool and I bought it used at 3 years old.

DoorDash- never used it and I find it lazy and wasteful.

I don’t own a home and never have, I bought acreage because the cost of ownership was lower and I could buy the property for less than a mortgage payment on a house that comes with taxes and other cost of ownership.

I own 1 TV - it’s the first new TV I’ve ever owned and I haven’t had cable in years and don’t miss it.

Avocado toast - I’ve spent a total of 3 months traveling around OZ and I can’t recall seeing Avocado toast on the menu and never seen a $12 cup of coffee. While I did have Starbucks the other day in the US and the most expensive drink was $7 and yes I do see it as a waste.

By far the biggest waste of time and money I’ve ever experienced in my life was college; time and cost is simply not worth listening to people pontificate about how the world should be when they couldn’t feed themselves if not for the academia slave trade.

 

[275r7x57]

@CBH Australia, happened that way were I grew up also; makes one question the survivability of the future with the values so many seem to have today. You forgot to include the jacked up truck with monster offset tires and aftermarket wheels on their "work" truck along with the "Gucci" out door clothing !

I have guys that work for me that run around in jacked up diesel trucks and wide tires, the truck has never seen a trailer. When the first set of wide tires are worn out, they can’t afford the second set, so they will literally run them bald with cords showing. They all get paid good money, they just have no priorities.

When times get hard this happens.

https://external-preview.redd.it/pkhtkhO4xYWfUoIjRkQ_dJnstYUckYeH63-L7GbThO8.jpg?width=640&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=8866dce0c3df14d27368224e95a27f4b4a64cea5

https://www.reddit.com/r/Trucks/comments/1m5gyc/that_awkward_stage_where_the_lift_is_installed

 

[deewayne2003]

I have guys that work for me that run around in jacked up diesel trucks and wide tires, the truck has never seen a trailer. When the first set of wide tires are worn out, they can’t afford the second set, so they will literally run them bald with cords showing. They all get paid good money, they just have no priorities.

When times get hard this happens.

https://external-preview.redd.it/pkhtkhO4xYWfUoIjRkQ_dJnstYUckYeH63-L7GbThO8.jpg?width=640&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=8866dce0c3df14d27368224e95a27f4b4a64cea5

https://www.reddit.com/r/Trucks/comments/1m5gyc/that_awkward_stage_where_the_lift_is_installed

Notice the California license plate….

He’s probably headed to get his vehicle inspection done, which would fail if the big tires were on.

 

[RLD]

I’m so tired of hearing “Our grandparents could buy a house on one salary, but now we can’t even afford rent on two!”
Yeah, because Grandma wasn’t blowin’ half her paycheck on $12 iced coffee and avocado toast, that’s why!

Back then, if they wanted coffee, they made it at home. With grounds so strong it could remove rust. You didn’t drink it… you survived it.

And Grandma wasn’t out there “brunchin’.” You think she had time for brunch? No! She was at home, cooking something called whatever’s left in the house.

And don’t even bring up Uber Eats.

These people today are crying about money while living in a 4-bedroom house with two SUVs, six streaming services, and matching sleeve tattoos. You think Grandpa had a tattoo? Yeah it said “Korea, 1951.” And it came with nightmares, not realitic shading.

Oh, don’t even get me started on the kids. “We can’t make ends meet, but Brayden needs the new iPhone!” No, he doesn’t! You’re giving an $1100 phone to a kid who still eats glue and boogers.

When we were kids, the family phone hung on the wall. It had a cord long enough to jump rope with, and if you wanted privacy, you had to go stand in the pantry. And somehow, we survived.

And the TV? There was one. One.
It was in the living room, and Dad controlled it. If he wanted to watch bowling, guess what? You liked bowling.

Now every room’s got a 65-inch screen, the baby’s got an iPad, and you’re sitting there wondering why you can’t afford rent.
Because you’re living like rappers, that’s why!

Grandpa wasn’t out here leasing Teslas and buying $12 smoothies called “Detox Sunrise.” He was driving a truck that sounded like thunder and smelled like oil and cigarettes.

They lived within their means. Whatever Grandpa’s paycheck bought, that’s what they had. They didn’t try to keep up with the Joneses. They were just trying to keep the family fed and a roof over their heads.

So yeah, Grandpa could buy a house on one salary. But he also didn’t have 47 subscriptions and emotional-support crystals. He had one support system, Grandma, who told him to suck it up and mow the yard.

Now folks are broke, tired, and stressed… and it’s not because of inflation… it’s because y’all keep ordering tacos from DoorDash like you’re royalty.

Wake up and smell the truth!!

While this simplistic condescending approach may make older folks feel superior. It basically is not true when it comes to many areas. Particularly housing.

BTW, I am almost 60 if it helps give you perspective.

Where I live housing costs have gone insane, Starbucks Latte or not.

Let me give you a simple example. My dad bought a house in 1972 for $32,000. The raw number is not important. It was about a 2000 square foot home in a nice neighbourhood and at the time $32,000 was a solid middle class income. So the ratio of home cost to annual income was about 1:1.
Now where I live the average home costs just over $1,000,000. And the average income is probably around $100,000 a year. That makes the home cost to income ratio about 10:1. A staggering difference.

There are also demographic issues going on. There is a large cohort of people who are not empty nesters and retirees who are now downsizing their homes and competing with first time homebuyers for bungaloos and townhomes driving up the proportionate cost of entry level homes even more. The young folks can't outbid the old folks for entry level homes and they can't afford to buy the big places they are leaving. Tough spot.

If you want a ton more data to support housing costs going up way faster than income it is not hard to find.

Employers now are much less likely to offer pensions than they used to, making it harder to achieve retirement income.

The cost of a post secondary education has gone up way faster than inflation or wages, and many more jobs now require a post secondary degree to even get an interview. The topic is well studied and is often referred to as "education inflation." It's a real problem, even in Canada where tuitions are often subsidized.

Even on the manufacturing end it is a tougher way to make a living than ever. In the United States the year with the highest manufacturing output (adjusted for inflation) was 2024. However the year with the highest employment in manufacturing was 1972 (or 74?). So while worker productivity has gone up over the last 50 years has gone way up, the number of manufacturing workers needed has gone down due to mechanization and computerization. This trend looks to accelerate rather than reverse.

I could go on but the picture is clear. It is tough out there for young people.

To be honest I get a little bit embarrassed when people who are established (like me) sit back, pat themselves on the belly and rant on about how "if only young people were more like us they would all be fine." The fact is we grew up in a rare period of great opportunity. We should be grateful not condescending.

Perhaps instead of blowing hot air about young people we could turn some of that supposed wisdom we have accumulated to helping young folks solve the new challenges they face. But that would require us to stop patting ourselves on the back and give a shit about the young people in our communities so I guess it is a huge ask.

 

[275r7x57]

Notice the California license plate….

He’s probably headed to get his vehicle inspection done, which would fail if the big tires were on.

Maybe, not sure what California laws are.

In the midwest when times are tough guys go back to stock wheels and tires because they can’t afford the bigger tires. During and after the 2008 housing crisis there were countless jacked trucks running on stock tires for many years after and countless jacked trucks for sale, they couldn’t give them away. I know a few guys that removed their lift kits when they had time and money.

 

[RLD]

Maybe, not sure what California laws are.

In the midwest when times are tough guys go back to stock wheels and tires because they can’t afford the bigger tires. During and after the 2008 housing crisis there were countless jacked trucks running on stock tires for many years after and countless jacked trucks for sale, they couldn’t give them away. I know a few guys that removed their lift kits when they had time and money.

Same thing happens with bass boats up here during a downturn. They end up being a dime a dozen.

 

[275r7x57]

Same thing happens with bass boats up here during a downturn. They end up being a dime a dozen.

I know a RV dealer in Missouri, last year they sold 153 units, this year to date 13 units.

And people think things are good.

 

[275r7x57]

While this simplistic condescending approach may make older folks feel superior. It basically is not true when it comes to many areas. Particularly housing.

BTW, I am almost 60 if it helps give you perspective.

Where I live housing costs have gone insane, Starbucks Latte or not.

Let me give you a simple example. My dad bought a house in 1972 for $32,000. The raw number is not important. It was about a 2000 square foot home in a nice neighbourhood and at the time $32,000 was a solid middle class income. So the ratio of home cost to annual income was about 1:1.
Now where I live the average home costs just over $1,000,000. And the average income is probably around $100,000 a year. That makes the home cost to income ratio about 10:1. A staggering difference.

There are also demographic issues going on. There is a large cohort of people who are not empty nesters and retirees who are now downsizing their homes and competing with first time homebuyers for bungaloos and townhomes driving up the proportionate cost of entry level homes even more. The young folks can't outbid the old folks for entry level homes and they can't afford to buy the big places they are leaving. Tough spot.

If you want a ton more data to support housing costs going up way faster than income it is not hard to find.

Employers now are much less likely to offer pensions than they used to, making it harder to achieve retirement income.

The cost of a post secondary education has gone up way faster than inflation or wages, and many more jobs now require a post secondary degree to even get an interview. The topic is well studied and is often referred to as "education inflation." It's a real problem, even in Canada where tuitions are often subsidized.

Even on the manufacturing end it is a tougher way to make a living than ever. In the United States the year with the highest manufacturing output (adjusted for inflation) was 2024. However the year with the highest employment in manufacturing was 1972 (or 74?). So while worker productivity has gone up over the last 50 years has gone way up, the number of manufacturing workers needed has gone down due to mechanization and computerization. This trend looks to accelerate rather than reverse.

I could go on but the picture is clear. It is tough out there for young people.

To be honest I get a little bit embarrassed when people who are established (like me) sit back, pat themselves on the belly and rant on about how "if only young people were more like us they would all be fine." The fact is we grew up in a rare period of great opportunity. We should be grateful not condescending.

Perhaps instead of blowing hot air about young people we could turn some of that supposed wisdom we have accumulated to helping young folks solve the new challenges they face. But that would require us to stop patting ourselves on the back and give a shit about the young people in our communities so I guess it is a huge ask.

There is a reason why we are starting to see 50 year mortgages.

My local Ford dealer said that Ford my be offering 15 year loans on trucks in the near future.

 

[jomw10]

I don't think the problem is with people expending money on things like uber eat, African safaris or new cars. The problem is with people expending money they don't have and then complaining that they cannot save enough like their grand parents!.

Typical case, this used to cost pennies, now so many dollars... Yes and what where the salaries back then?.

Houses are so much bigger, same with cars.

 

[CBH Australia]

@RLD @deewayne2003 and others. I should have put Author unknown. In principle I still think there are some takeaways from this.

@uplander01 I am definitely one of the 95%

I can see where it is getting harder but some are not willing to trim the budget to get ahead.

They still refuse to trim the budget of the small non essential items because they do add up.

 

[Daniel Cary]

"You think that most people want a House, two cars, a Family & Career. But they don't .. They want something sacred"

Jim Morrison.

 

[TXhunter65]

Don't forget select sports!!!! If they're not on the best most expensive travel sports team, they'll never get that free ride to college much less punch their tickets to the NFL, MLB, NBA, WNBA, etc. etc. etc. known plenty who've spent close to college tuitions on select sports and cheer in travel costs alone.

 

[Flbt]

I’m so tired of hearing “Our grandparents could buy a house on one salary, but now we can’t even afford rent on two!”
Yeah, because Grandma wasn’t blowin’ half her paycheck on $12 iced coffee and avocado toast, that’s why!

Back then, if they wanted coffee, they made it at home. With grounds so strong it could remove rust. You didn’t drink it… you survived it.

And Grandma wasn’t out there “brunchin’.” You think she had time for brunch? No! She was at home, cooking something called whatever’s left in the house.

And don’t even bring up Uber Eats.

These people today are crying about money while living in a 4-bedroom house with two SUVs, six streaming services, and matching sleeve tattoos. You think Grandpa had a tattoo? Yeah it said “Korea, 1951.” And it came with nightmares, not realitic shading.

Oh, don’t even get me started on the kids. “We can’t make ends meet, but Brayden needs the new iPhone!” No, he doesn’t! You’re giving an $1100 phone to a kid who still eats glue and boogers.

When we were kids, the family phone hung on the wall. It had a cord long enough to jump rope with, and if you wanted privacy, you had to go stand in the pantry. And somehow, we survived.

And the TV? There was one. One.
It was in the living room, and Dad controlled it. If he wanted to watch bowling, guess what? You liked bowling.

Now every room’s got a 65-inch screen, the baby’s got an iPad, and you’re sitting there wondering why you can’t afford rent.
Because you’re living like rappers, that’s why!

Grandpa wasn’t out here leasing Teslas and buying $12 smoothies called “Detox Sunrise.” He was driving a truck that sounded like thunder and smelled like oil and cigarettes.

They lived within their means. Whatever Grandpa’s paycheck bought, that’s what they had. They didn’t try to keep up with the Joneses. They were just trying to keep the family fed and a roof over their heads.

So yeah, Grandpa could buy a house on one salary. But he also didn’t have 47 subscriptions and emotional-support crystals. He had one support system, Grandma, who told him to suck it up and mow the yard.

Now folks are broke, tired, and stressed… and it’s not because of inflation… it’s because y’all keep ordering tacos from DoorDash like you’re royalty.

Wake up and smell the truth!!

No
Money has changed.
A 20$ bill or a double eagle would buy a colt saa or Winchester 92 rifle. In 1900
A 20$ bill want buy a box of shells the double eagle will still buy the gun.

In 1960 you could get payed in silver a silver dollar is worth close to 50$ today.
Min wage in ga 7.25 $ a hr.
Compared to 1960 min wage of about 1.25
That 1.25 was worth about 50$ in today’s money

I think there is a lot of wast in today’s spending.
Like the coffee or buying lunch every day vs bring food from home.

But the government has stolen a large % of value out of today’s money.

In 90
I could buy a 10 year old top of the line f150 4x4 with every option on it pay the insurance and have money left over I think min wage was 3.80$ then

A win or marlin 30-30 was 156 and 159$
There was money left over for 2 week pay check
What’s a Winchester classic $1400?
At min wage I think it would take around 194 hr of work
Where it took less than 80 a lot less 3.25$ x 80 $304