people still cant afford to live...

[@jjbuckner]

► Get FREE Stock When You Sign-Up For Robinhood Using This Link: join.robinhood.com/jjb10

[@yourmainful]

I know what that lady at the beginning can do. Etransfer her income to Israhole, for Zionist toe jam in return. Better yet, run and give it to the local politician to hand it to em. America is a pure con job which has its populace mind raped and 100 percent misinformed.

[@marym922]

This is not HALF as bad as what is going on in China! In the west there are thrift shops, garage sales, friends and family to pass things around as needed, public libraries, and (as everywhere) a good solid DIY attitude is a great thing. For example, cutting your own hair can save a huge amount. When I said things are way worse in China, I really meant it. Take a look at "lying flat", and "let it rot", "youth nursing homes"... that last one might be more accurately called a modern commune, or kibbutz.... but anyway, a very interesting cultural phenomenon.

[@richardhudson1243]

Things are getting worse! Low-paying jobs, inflation, and insane rental rates prevent many from saving. Home ownership, a traditional retirement asset, is now out of reach for middle-class Americans.

[@jackson-z7o]

I'm 62, and rising prices have derailed my retirement plans . I worry that today's economic conditions are more challenging than ever. The stock market's unpredictability, coupled with reduced income and soaring inflation, makes me anxious about having enough for retirement.

[@DerraKormino]

working with a. fiduciary advisor has been a huge help in managing market uncertainty. Their advise on risk management and hedging has played a key role in growing my retirement savings to nearly a million. I've learned how to diversify, manage risk, and adjust to market changes. Thanks to their guidance, i feel more confident about my financial future.

[@JacobsErick-u8r]

Can i get a recommendation on who you are working with?

[@DerraKormino]

Melissa Terri Swayne is the licensed fiduciary I use. Just research the name. You’d find necessary details to work with a correspondence to set up an appointment..

[@JaneAnna-j6x]

I appreciate it. After searching her name online and reviewing her credentials, I'm quite impressed. I've contacted her as I could use all the help I can get. A call has been scheduled.

[@TheDowntownHermit-xj6rq]

I am 63 years old. I bought my first and only home at 59. I paid it off early. I live in a small Midwest town so the home was not expensive. I drive a 31 year old Jeep that's paid off. I'm debt free. I don't go out to eat/drink, I don't have a credit card. I use a debit card to pay bills. I eat one meal a day. I don't own a TV, I'm watching this on an old burner smart phone. 95% of everything I own is second hand. I am so grateful for everything I have.

[@corinth1121]

One meal a day? Snacks too!?

[@joec5544g]

Ya, I was with you till the one meal.... Generally I don't think that's healthy... I'm not a doctor but.

[@thebigcum6297]

@@corinth1121 We aren't really designed to eat as much as we do now tbh so I'd say they're fine with that one meal especially if it's a pretty good one.

[@thebigcum6297]

@@joec5544g Our bodies are designed to be good with one good meal especially now in modern times where we can so easily get nutritious foods 2 meals is actually fine and honestly breakfast is a waste. About brunch time is good because it's midday pretty much and it's given your body a chance to burn any excess calories from the day before.

[@osuk1]

OMAD is 👍 ❤

[@sarahharvey7844]

I told my son yesterday that he can't eat out for lunch everyday anymore. He's spending $20/day. I bought him lunch meat and told him to make a sandwich.

[@xaldath4265]

I regularly comment on this at work. My coworkers are lined up to spend $10-$20/daily for lunch...and we do not make the kind of money that makes that reasonable. *This* is the exact type of thing the "normalized" guy was talking about. 40 years ago it was normal to bring a lunch to work and the past decade made it so convenient to get food...and people just ate it up. I hardly ever see a lunchbox anymore and it's disheartening to see the causes without being able to convince people *they* are the cause. It's like people driving around complaining about traffic. Dude, you *are* traffic. 😅😂

[@Jordan-co2re]

I've only been able to eat once a day for a year now, now I have to skip entire days it's getting so bad

[@annoravetz5188]

Buy a Santoku knife and a cutting board, and learn to cut vegetables.

[@nicoleavery7238]

Is he an adult..? Sounds like he’s old enough to make his own decisions

[@xaldath4265]

@@nicoleavery7238 Sure, maybe he is. That doesn't mean the suggestions from a parent are no longer impactful, especially one that is still supporting the child. What are your thoughts on children doing work?

[@TRUTHbomb2.0]

We only eat out for birthdays. We drive well used cars. We let our adult unmarried children live in our home while they save money to buy a house. They help us with heavy lifting and other chores. We do staycations with our 20 year old above ground pool, and 30 year old pontoon boat. We have zero debt. What is crazy is our friends who take expensive vacations, and drive new vehicles are jealous of us.

[@joec5544g]

You're probably making memories.. Take care.

[@TheyCallMeJTK]

Yeah I used to be one of those people that always took the lavish vacations and spent money on the dumb stuff on friends who really weren't our friends and now I live a more humble life in Costa Rica and I couldn't be happier

[@TRUTHbomb2.0]

@@TheyCallMeJTK It took me about 12 years to figure it out, and drop out of the "keeping up with the Jones'" cult. We even had to distance ourselves from some who just look at you as someone "to beat" or "one up", even when you've stopped "playing the game". The old adage is true. We buy things we don't need with money we don't have to impress people we don't even really like. I have been much happier since I stopped trying to live my life by others' expectations, to stop "competing" with everyone else and just chart our own course in life. We are the 1st to retire in our friends group, 1st to have our home paid off, we don't follow the latest trends in anything, our home improvements are for practical reasons not for resale value (we might do that when or if we ever decide to sell). We made our home fit our needs, we like carpet it's cozy and warm, wood floors are too slippery for our old dogs, we have linoleum in our kitchen because we often drop things that would crack ceramic tile, we like the honey oak wood throughout that everyone else is painting over, we even still have the original washer and dryer that came with our house 30 years ago (maintained and fixed many times by husband) it still does the job and is easy to fix because it is not full of computer chips. This was the example my parents set, you don't replace something until it's broke or worn out. We NEED to change the culture back to how it was.

[@cosmictraveler1146]

@@SuzyQ528and their lives are empty.

[@kooweirdkid]

You can't pay for peace of mind, that's why ❤

[@slimsautomotiverepair8714]

MY GRAN IS 100 THIS WEEK SHE TELLS ME STORIES OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION AND SAID THIS IS HOW IT STARTED AND IT WILL GET WORSE BUT WE ARE IN THE BEGINNING OF A DEPRESSION NOW AT THIS MOMENT

[@h33-q8w]

Yep! 💯 They think it's bad now.. by 2029 it's gonna be a full blown depression. Just like 100 years ago 1929.. 😢 so depressing

[@espada9]

I'm 60 and I can say that this is by far the worst I've seen this country in regards to culture, trust and affordability. And as someone who is very economically literate, it's going to get much worse.

[@nychris2258]

Trump ruined the American psyche

[@spaceindian3769]

I'm 61 and seen this coming for decades😮

[@4040smokey]

Come on....the Carter recession was way worse than this.

[@onthecase1002]

thats fine if you got your health, i had a heart attack last year and my world is wrecked. cant even get a job, get dizzy standing up now.. wish me luck...

[@iNeverSimp]

I wish you find God. Try. He is the only real hope.

[@honestwords4997]

Good luck and prayers for you

[@js77z]

​@@iNeverSimpI tried to find God, but apparently he's ignoring me

[@sunniertimer598]

Turn to Jesus Christ, be saved, and then ask HIM for the help that you need and he will come through for you. He takes good care of his own. Get baptized too. It made all the difference for me. Read the good word. In the Bible, it says the word of God never returns void, but accomplishes his will in our lives. I will pray for you.

[@justme-ti1rh]

You should apply for disability.

[@Whoa_Nisha]

I’m a mail carrier and deliver to a retirement community, I’ve asked my customers that same question- if it’s been this bad… I’ve got mixed reviews on yes it is and no it’s not… but they’ve all said one thing similar is to just prepare for the worst. Change your habits money wise. Spend on only the necessities, save save save. Do side work to make extra cash if you can….

[@daronjohnson9095]

The dollar is straight up going to crash, collapse, and crumble within the next 10 years, maybe even 5 years, to bring in a digital currency system, you will not be able to buy or trade without it either. It's the new world order, you will own nothing, eat bugs, and be happy, on top of that any dollar you save, goes down in value every single day, 10k today will be what the value of 5k is today, in 10 years, do not hold on to dollars, buy land, buy gold and silver, buy Bitcoin, buy real estate, buy guns, buy ammo because if you hold on to dollars you will absolutely regret it. The collapse is coming soon, very soon, and a man will rise up and bring us out of it with a new system , but only for a very short time. It's coming.

[@larkatmic]

Im 80. Our country is way worse than ever before. So much delusion and degeneracy being embraced. I blame it on social media, screen addiction and a government that keeps printing money. It’s setting an awful example for young people. Many spend and don’t save. We need everyone to stop spending money they don’t have and inflation will come down. Then they must learn to live below their means and pay yourself first. Save save save. I have no idea how to change the degeneracy that has become main stream culture today. It came so fast is taking us down quickly. Unfortunately social media seems here to stay. Before social media we learned to overcome the ego. Today the ego is embraced and so is mental illness. What a mess.

[@TravisPluss]

Dude! You boomers are the ones in power and government. It’s your generation’s fault - not social media.

[@lot2196]

Trump 2024!!!

[@lot2196]

All the democrats can focus on is murdering babies.

[@adriansanchez4875]

it's a controlled demolition, meant to put up a replacement

[@kurtsherrick2066]

We have pushed God out of everything. The System wants to destroy the Nuclear Family which is the bedrock of a Healthy Society. Yes Social Media has destroyed personal associations and the young peoples minds. Then put corrup, irresponsible and evil people in control of the Government and depravity is rotting Society. We are living in Roman's 1;18-32. When God Abandons a Nation. I am Disabled and on my own. I am blessed but it gets tougher every month. But I am thankful to be hanging in here.

[@civicsi_702]

Someone said "100 dollars is the new 20 dollars"

[@helena3631]

This is true

[@karek4635]

That's been true since 2022. Worse now in late 2024.

[@Kevin-tn5rr]

Minimum is $100 bucks a day to live

[@madisonstone3258]

@@Kevin-tn5rr Barely if you live in parts of Canada. $3,000/m you're gonna be living in a room or have roomates. You'd need more like $5,000 to be able to pay rent, bills, food, bus and your taxes. Not sure how much having a car is because I walk, ride my bike or take a bus. You'd have maybe $200 left over.

[@Kevin-tn5rr]

@@madisonstone3258 location. But yeah here in USA they are behind on math and cost of living for people born without wealthy parents or rich family's that pay non survival level wages in big retail business and not paying for inured people at there premises

[@josiegarcia994]

husband is 71 years old and he says the US economy has never being this bad in his lifetime

[@FULANODETAL]

err he was in coma during the double cut oil crisis= ?

[@kayanoreeves1949]

The stock market is at an all time high, inflation has come down, gas is $3 a gallon, everyone I know has a fuk ton of equity in their homes. Things were much worse less than 20 years ago. Was your husband in cryo sleep during the housing crisis of 2008?

[@FULANODETAL]

@@kayanoreeves1949 Also i Guess he was in coma in 1973 when árabs CUT the oil..

[@IAm-pi7kf]

​@@kayanoreeves1949how's that crack pipe you're smoking? Inflation going down doesn't mean deflation, it just means things go up slower. This economy is good if you had previously made the right decisions before the downturn. I.e. its a good economy for owners. Most people arent owners, because of monopolies and oligopolies, therefore there is s systemic issue facing us.

[@justme-ti1rh]

Was he in a different country during Carter Years as president .

[@kristinarawlings2258]

These videos are more motivation to keep living below our means.

[@Melanierose.821]

I haven't seen anyone comment on this: $1040 rent isn't getting you much in safe neighborhoods. Coffee isn't the problem... I'm not saying daily Starbucks is good for anyone and we need to adjust lifestyle. But don't just ignore the fact it is tough out there.

[@maceynichole5522]

$8x 30 days is $240/month. For many people, the coffee is a huge problem

[@_Y.Not_]

@@maceynichole5522 nobody is paying $8 every single day of the month for a coffee even the die hards but you know that. I am 62 years old and I have never seen it this bad out there, I have seen other tough economic times in our country, been through a couple of recessions but this is on another level. I am financially fine but I can totally understand why others are not, as he said groceries have doubled in some cases tripled, rents/mortgages have doubled (at least), car payments are through the roof and many people have some debt, wages have been stagnant and have not kept up, it is NOT the coffee.

[@Anniieee92]

My husband was laid off, thankfully we had savings! We r doing ok now!

[@xlasvegan7x]

You can absolutley eat pretty well on a hundred bucks a week. Just don’t eat out and make coffee at home.

[@DD-qi1lf]

I agree. Grocery is not that expensive if you can cook.

[@ladyzeta6]

I can feed a family of 4 on $100/week and we still can eat ribs, chicken, etc. Definitely have to know how to cook and no prepared or frozen premade foods. Shop with the sales, freeze meats for later, etc.

[@mikehawk302]

If you also regularly eat yogurt you could easily make your own and save a decent amount of money compared to store bought.

[@jgringo5516]

I do. I hammer eggs, steak, chicken, fish, tomatoes, blueberries, and blackberries. That’s all I eat. I just drink water or whole milk. I’m ripped at 52. All I do is save money. I never eat out. What’s the purpose of eating out paying high prices when all you do is poop it out the next day?

[@Kevin-tn5rr]

It's how you all have been programmed is to spend and eat out

[@karyn552003]

JJ people don't want to work 9 to 5 jobs anymore because you can no longer make a living off them. There is nothing deep about it. They pay the bare minimum, while posting record profits. The answer is always get a second job or do a side gig. Never see your family or kids. If you ate awake, you should be working. You are allowed no hobby unless you can make money off it. There are people who can't live below their means because they make 18 bucks an hour. That is half the damn country. To answer your question, I am 54 years old and this is the worst it has ever been. No other time in my life has even come close.

[@IAm-pi7kf]

That's usually how these enlightened centrist types are. They deviate to the most common mean, which happens to be the platitude "just work harder and smarter bruh". However they leave the other systemic issues out of it, probably don't support unions, and fail to mention any mass cooperative effort to make everybody's lives easier. The working harder and smarter is fine, but we also need supplemental systemic change.

[@karyn552003]

@@IAm-pi7kf we really do. I feel for the youngbloods now. Everyone is telling them to work 2 jobs and not drink Starbucks. Coffee is not the damn problem. Telling people who work full time that they dont deserve coffee and Netflix is ridiculous. Spend no money until you retire is effing asinine. That's probably what the lady who died in her damn cubicle at Wells Fargo was doing. I am Gen X and the system is broken.

[@ladyzeta6]

@@karyn552003 everything you said is so true. I’m roughly your age and I remember moving out at 24, could afford an apartment with my boyfriend (now husband), a brand new car, could take vacations, enjoy life and still save. We are alright because there’s been two incomes since back then, only had 2 kids and APRs for the home (2.75%) and car (1.9%) are reasonable. I’m not even thinking about moving because of my interest rate alone. Young people can’t get a start in life like we could. And back then you could work through and pay for college (not community college) reasonably. Paid off my student loans in a year after I was done. I told my daughter to stay home and save. It’s a shame things are so tough. There’s some things people can do with how they spend but it’s sad because it’s hard to make it for many people nowadays.

[@TLA123y6f]

I agree. It's not just economic, either. It's the level of anger. Corporate mentality - people are disposable - it's the stockholders/profits that matter while giving the CEOs multi-million $ salaries. Greed and corruption has become the norm. Violence and mass shootings. The overall mental state - half the country is on meds just to cope. Despair. Poverty and homelessness. Having to work 3 jobs just to survive. And I can't even THINK about AI without feeling paranoid. The list goes on. If things don't change our future looks bleak.

[@cookinthekitchen]

If you think the government is going to change your economic situation, you are sadly mistaken.

[@4309chris]

oh they can change it, and do, but only for the worse

[@IAm-pi7kf]

Tell that to the illegal immigrants that we pay for

[@derickz03]

Paid 10k less in taxes under Trump vs Obama. 10k more take home a year is equivalent to 20k or more a year raise. That’s a big deal for me, maybe not for you.

[@trex7359]

Your paying 10 grand more a year for Gas food insurance and rent under the current administration .Yes the government can change your economic situation but if your budgeting and living within your means and dept free your situation is still good. Unfortunately most people don't live that way so the economic situation for them is hurting and they feel it .

[@derickz03]

@@trex7359 more. My rent alone went from 1350 to 2750 a month. Im paying closer to 25k a year w this administration

[@brianmurphy7372]

You can only work so many hours before your healthl is destroyed !!😢😢😢😢😢😮

[@MuahMan]

Make 80k, single, home is paid off (VERY small home), live in Miami. Still can't afford to live with no kids, no vacations, no nothing. Car insurance alone is $400 a month in FL. It's just stupid. People are giving up and I'm about to join them. I don't hate my job, I hate my career (IT). Staring at a screen 10 hours day has ruined my eyes. I'm about to quit and try and get a job selling cars or something.

[@KARS215]

$400 bucks? For 1 vehicle? I’m assuming you have a car note. I live on the west coast. My car insurance is less than $100 bucks but I own my vehicle.

[@IrisP989]

What car are you driving? We are paying almost $147 per month for our Tesla.. Is your property tax very high? Are you putting more than 20% in your retirement?

[@MuahMan]

@@IrisP989 My car is a 2019 Chevy Impala. Still own 9K on it. Only 6% of my salary goes into an 401k. Company sucks and doesn't even match. Miami has the highest ins rates in the nation thanks to fraud, and illegals. Trying to move someplace else... like North Dakota. LOL

[@Brian_Barby]

Car accident/s or points on your record? That seems very high unless you're driving a new car you're still paying on.

[@IrisP989]

@@Brian_Barby It doesn't apply to everyone. We are driving a car that we purchased brand new and are still paying for. Our insurance is much cheaper than $400. It was even cheaper until it went up by $200 and something recently.

[@Joce123]

I think that you are wrong about why prices are going up. I believe it is sheer greed because huge company CEO salaries are so high.... They're just finding ways to equal more money out of poor people by forcing them to choose between food and rent while they have multimillion-dollar parachute contracts.

[@mostmost1]

That's what it is. That money they printed was put right back in the economy. Except for these greedy corporations.

[@justme-ti1rh]

Greed has always been around . You are blaming the wrong people .

[@ThroughHe]

You are so dumb you should slap yourself. It’s not greed. It’s not CEO salaries. It’s idiots like you who gush and glee when celebrities and athletes earn $30 per year but get stupid and angry of a CEO to manages 5,000 employees $5 million. Shut up.

[@zline-sp2fs]

I'm a PRIME example of the person who doesn't know what to do anymore. It's 2025, and I'm stuck, lost, and feel defeated. I'm as frugal as they come. No I don't rinse and dry paper plates but my money stays with me. I don't spend. But even with no spending, I'm just not making enough money. I live and work in NJ, and while I understand whats going on around the nation, NJ put itself on a whole other level in 2025 and no one is talking about it. Single, no kids, I make $90k a year, work 1 full time job and 1 part time job. Soon i'll be working 2 part time jobs. I work 80+ hours a week and have been doing so for 20 years. I live in the area I was born and raised in. I own a home thank god because rent in my area is $2600-$3k for a studio! But the issue is NJ taxes your soul. What I make on paper and what I actually bring home are 2 very different numbers. My mortgage, taxes, insurances and regular bills total $42,000 and a big chunk of that believe it or not is eaten up by insurances and NJ taxes. I'm also a food prepper because of the hours I work. I refuse to go out and eat anywhere so 90% of my meals are cooked. But even then, the groceries have hit an all time high. I used to spend $42 a week (aside from meat and protein shakes) and cook a weeks worth of meals. Now it's grown to $200/week. I even quit my gym and made a home gym. (Gym's in my area are $100/month and that's cheap). The working class is being pushed out of NJ. It used to be certain areas of towns, but now it's just the entire state. The Gov of this state who isn't even from here stated if we don't like high taxes, then get out. Basically kicking people out of their homes, everyone who grew up here is fed up. With that being said, I'm lucky if I have a little bit of cash on hand. I don't ever vacation, I don't go out to eat, I brew my own coffee, and somehow, I'm left with nothing.

[@CharlieNelson8]

High prices for everything have severely affected my plan. I'm concerned if people who went through the 2008 financial crisis had an easier time than I am having now. The stock market is worrying me as my income has decreased, and I fear I won't have enough savings for retirement since I can't contribute as much as before.

[@DhanaPayar]

It's recommended to save at least 20% of your income in a 401k. You can use online calculators to estimate how much you should save based on your age and income. Saving at least 20% of your income in a 401(k) can help ensure that you have enough money to retire comfortably. By saving this much, you can take advantage of investing in the stock market and potentially grow your retirement savings over time.

[@Grace.h-t8o]

It's often true that people underestimate the importance of financial advisors until they feel the negative effects of emotional decision-making. I remember a few summers ago, after a tough divorce, when I needed a boost for my struggling business. I researched and found a licensed advisor who diligently helped grow my reserves despite inflation. Consequently, my reserves increased from $275k to around $750k.

[@Richard.raspberry]

That's fascinating. How can I contact your Asset-coach as my portfolio is dwindling?

[@Grace.h-t8o]

My CFA ’Stacy Lynn Staples’, a renowned figure in her line of work. I recommend researching her credentials further. She has many years of experience and is a valuable resource for anyone looking to navigate the financial market.

[@Thompson-e7h]

Thanks for this. could easily spot her website just after inputting her full name on my browser. she replied my inquiry and we scheduled a consulting session sometime tomorrow.

[@MattAK]

The costs of everything have skyrocketed, but wages have stayed fairly flat. Where is all that extra money we're paying going? Not into our pockets. I'm moving into a travel trailer in the Spring to try and get ahead of things.

[@daronjohnson9095]

I'm doing the same, gonna get a van and build it out

[@MattAK]

@@daronjohnson9095 I considered that, but decided a trailer would work better for me. still might do a van someday.

[@daronjohnson9095]

@MattAK it's a great idea, trailers are where it's at if you can find a decent one, I live in a small one RN and rent the lot, not fancy and I gotta do all the repairs myself but I live comfortably

[@OUFan2]

Every time I drive down the road, all I see is large SUV and Truck payments going up and down the road. I can't see the beauty of the vehicle anymore, l just see America going broke

[@sprint7412]

Most people I know have newer cars than me and I have to keep reminding myself there is nothing wrong with my sixteen yo fully paid car.

[@DanGilliland-pi4vh]

2 of the vehicles we own free and clear is well maintained and more than 20 years old. The best vehicles to own are ones that are paid for.

[@OUFan2]

@@DanGilliland-pi4vh I agree.

[@marcoAKAjoe]

​@@sprint7412100% debt-free is freedom

[@DanCooper404]

We as a family own 3 vehicles. Two are completely paid off, including my truck.

[@javajunkie517]

Yes, age 55 and this is the worst state of the country and economy. I did not grow up in such an angry enviornment. We were generally proud to be American and honestly race was never an issue between 99% of us normal people.

[@marybowers6090]

Younger people you gotta make lifestyle changes if you are struggling. I worked 3 jobs, had a roommate. Clipped coupons, did dinner parties and pot lucks with friends, never went out while trying to save. I drive a Chevy nova used car that I paid cash for. Cut out entertainment and vacations. We would do day trips skiing and use points from the gas we purchased for our lift tickets. We made brown bag lunches and made hot chocolate with baileys or Irish coffee, we were t buying anything at the lodge. You can do it till things improve. We’d do out door community free concerts and pack picnic dinners. I’d run the beach and do workout videos at home. Make coffee at home. Make family style meals where you’ll have leftovers to freeze . You might have to move to another state that you can afford to live in.

[@nicoleavery7238]

I’d rather die than have 3 jobs which leaves you with no actual life left. Why is that a normalized idea? Toxic.

[@eunicef1]

I like the hot shower gratitude comment, bro. Too many people wastefully spend due to feeling unhappy.

[@Takashii85]

And people still ask me "bro you're nearly 30 and you still aint got kids??!!"

[@CSpottsGaming]

Lol who is asking you that, 12 year olds? 😂 I'm 30 and nearly everyone I know isn't having kids yet.

[@Takashii85]

@CSpottsGaming my 30 year old friends who have kids

[@CSpottsGaming]

@@Takashii85 Maybe it's a cultural/regional thing but only 2 of my friends have kids. They are the notable outliers.

[@garethwilliams4467]

@@Takashii85 you do that and you are tied to the state.

[@daronjohnson9095]

I have one friend with two kids, the other 8 and myself are all in our 30s, no kids, no spouse

[@djrickyb]

The problem with renting apartments is that MOST people become perpetual renters STUCK renting an apartment. As time marches on especially in the last 5 years, but honestly every year this happens, the rent increases are far exceeding wage increases. Without a major injection of money, or obtaining a life changing job leveling up with way more pay...you are going to be stuck as a renter today.

[@KayFabe87]

American citizens struggling to make ends meet, but somehow we “need” the 10 million “newcomers” who have poured in over the last 3 years and are completely dependent on taxpayer support. This is simply not sustainable.

[@Foxy_bbb_b]

The US Congress has not kept to their own created budget IN ANY SINGLE YEAR since I started voting and that’s a loooooong time. If I spent household money as irresponsibly as CONGRESS does, I would be the next guest on the Caleb Hammer show

[@joelabella750]

I’m a 62 year old retired senior citizen who only makes $18K and I’m perfectly fine with the Social Security check that I’m getting and I actually save half of this amount, I have no credit card bills or any unpaid student loan debts….

[@adriansteele7023]

Bro, i just finished working 83 hrs in 4 days. Im shaking

[@maceynichole5522]

God bless you

[@sue9550]

I'm 66 and agree -- with everything we've been through since I've been alive, things have never been this bad. It's scary to be growing old in this time.

[@chrisniner8772]

I'm living 6 pack to 6 pack.

[@architran5562]

Do not forget you have to pay taxes on your paycheck, there is not much money to spend afterwards.

[@michaelhammond5895]

No one has seen anything yet. The biggest economic disaster since the Great Depression was 2008. I worked for a civil engineering firm for 20 years and got laid off for 2 years things were so bad. Thank God our house was recently paid off so we didn't lose our house but lost my 401k money because I had to cash it in to survive to pay utility bills, food, insurance and property tax. It was the worst I've ever seen & I'm 65.

[@BK12310]

Not a fan of this opening statement about blaming this administration for today’s problem. Definitely more complex than this. Policies throughout each administration has led us here. Allowing cooperate greed to flourish, poor regulation of big pharmaceutical/insurance companies, supporting the “trickle down” theory when making laws and other economical factors play a role in how are we are living today.

[@DistrustHumanz]

Excellent comment

[@roscosandoval127]

💯👏🏽

[@BK12310]

@@DistrustHumanzThank you! I really dislike when people generalize things just to fit their narrative

[@Krazybonejabs]

Just paid off 1400/mo in debt. Now putting all that extra cash in an E fund. Once that reaches 30kish I'll start putting extra principal payments on the house, all while DCA'ing and maxing out my 401k, ira, and hsa. It's been a LONG journey (20+ years) but I am finally making huge progress. I was making 50k at 35yr old. Every 20 yr old is crying they're not making 100k.

[@Helldivecat]

Bro, let me explain something to you I’m a trucker I make $23 an hour and I still can’t afford to live I make minimum wage. Basically I work a hard blue-collar job I should be able to afford an apartment. I can’t do that I’m living out of my car and crashing at my girlfriends crib, regularly I’m dealing with BS court case from my ex girlfriend and even if I wasn’t dealing with all that, I still wouldn’t be able to get ahead if you’re going to call something out, do the right thing and call out the obvious problem the economy is in this crap hole. Our government is responsible and we need rent control in this country point-blank that’s good. People are getting too greedy, we need more housing less legislation to block it and food monopolies need to be broken up. There shouldn’t be four companies, controlling the entire beef industry. Vegetables should be factory farmed in every community and we should be exporting everything we make this country has an abundance of stuff we could export it’s greed, point blank.

[@Jordan-co2re]

Facts !!!!

[@garethwilliams4467]

how do you suggest rent control works ? what unintended consequences do you forsee ?

[@ASOUL-rb9re]

Life is not expensive. Being taken advantage of is expensive.

[@joec5544g]

Being financially illiterate is expensive.

[@ASOUL-rb9re]

@@joec5544g Not mentioning a lick of financial education or advice in the time taken without consent and wasted in public schooling is malicious intent and warfare against your own future generations and your own people. This alone proves malicious intent and that you are in competition with your own future generations. This nullifies your idea that you are any type of authority or that any of us or our labor belongs to you. Narrative controllers that's all you are. Control the narrative so that we never define you as Betrayers of Humanity.

[@evanbutt2344]

Glad to see there are others with brains in these threads lol

[@callumortiz6723]

I am 71 and I agree that the last few years are definitely the worst it’s ever been.

[@4040smokey]

Worse than the Carter recession? Not a chance.

[@contextual_investor6139]

Biggest issue I constantly see is people don’t invest. They work hard, earn some money, spend it, and then wonder why 5 years later they are in the same paycheck to paycheck cycle despite getting raises or changing jobs. People view investing as optional, or something they would “maybe do someday” but it’s one of the most important things you can do. It should be a matter of survival. I pay rent so I don’t get evicted, I pay my phone bill so I can still contact people, I invest my money so I can survive in the future. It should be a life or death concept in a budget but nobody recognizes the value of it

[@kinggeoffrey3801]

Agree, investing has been a game changer for me. Whilst the people I know go on fancy holidays and buy flashy car's, I'm over paying my mortgage and investing. All about priorities.

[@reginafisher9919]

Then why don't they teach it in school!! They literally don't teach anything in school you need, other than reading and arithmetic you could probably start working at 12 years old at Amazon, the rest is just a waste!!!

[@ryanra44]

Missouri has 1/1000th of the jobs that pay $100k a year as California does

[@cajsecret25]

People are too spoiled to sacrifice and they just don't understand prioritizing

[@dreanichols1520]

I refuse to eat out now. I went to buy dinner for my partner and I, two chicken rolls and small fries. $48 AUD (I'm in Australia). I said oh I think you're charging me the wrong order ... Nope ... So I won't be buying out anymore

[@SkywalkerPMs]

What the hell is a chicken roll?

[@matthewallman3500]

Some land down under cuisine I assume.

[@dreanichols1520]

@@SkywalkerPMs it's I guess a subway bread chicken and mayo? Lucky I said fries and not what Aussies call it chips haha

[@dreanichols1520]

@@matthewallman3500 basically a chicken sandwich but subway bread?

[@cosmictraveler1146]

Yeah I haven’t doordashed or ate out in years now

[@SashaEllie-zc4ql]

Love the hot water analogy! Yes times suck right now but find the good in everyday. Leaves falling, grab a cup of hot chocolate and go for a walk. That’s free. Find free options with what you are now paying for. Lower your monthly expenses little by little. It all adds up.

[@ROCKINWV]

As a new person in the workforce in the late 70's, I'll have to say, it was horrid then with double digit inflation. I wasn't financially stable, unlike today. I feel for folks just starting out, it's tough.

[@victortin559]

So, why are people even considering to vote for Kamala and co.? She has been in office for the last four years! Wake up people!

[@joeriveracomedy]

Winning arguments is more important than winning life to certain people.

[@xperyskop2475]

Gold fish memory

[@nychris2258]

Trump was president four years ago. All the covid stimulus started under Trump.

[@nychris2258]

Trump was president four years ago in case you forgot.

[@Flipo_99]

Trump is the one that increased the money supply with stimulus checks during covid, combine that with supply chains issues and you get inflation. Not saying trump is to blame (covid is actually). That's why cost of living increases were a worldwide phenomenon. Trumps proposed tariffs would actually worsen inflation going forward and his administration would be to blame this time.

[@nicolehenry6264]

Corporate greed is the reason why people are suffering. All time high profits for them b/c of layoffs and risen prices. Corporate greed

[@jameson4420]

Hey JJ. Love your channel. I like how you talked about how we have so many modern conveniences these days that make life better, and easier, for so many people around the world. I wish more people would realize this and not take it for granted. We would have a lot less entitled people out there

[@waynebollman]

Help me out with something here. Why is it that anyone gets surprised when they order food at a restaurant and then are told how much the total is? Aren't the prices for each item shown on the menu? Can you not perform basic grade school addition?

[@PatrickFoley-vf3lr]

I'm 75 and you have no idea how bad things were in the early 80's. Today companies can't find people to hire but back then you could not buy a job. Interest rates were 19%.

[@4040smokey]

Agree. So many older folks saying this is the worst they've seen it. Horse crap. The early 80's made this look like a cake walk. They are cray cray to say otherwise.

[@ripeundead8239]

I wonder how these people are gunna feel with all these tariffs... and loss of government assistance now that theyve voted for their own demise

[@laurijohnson7754]

I have a hard time with a lot of this. My husband and I are retired. But the oath wasn’t easy. We both put in tons of overtime. I cleaned houses while my kids were little so I could be home around their schedules. I remember having 5.00 in the checkbook at the end of the month. I wore 5.00 Walgreens Tshirts and couldn’t afford to cut my hair so it was pulled back. We never went out and I couponed and cut my kids hair. Everything was budgeted. But we put 400 a monthinto an IRA for years. My friends were out buying cars and eating out and going on vacations yearly. We never could afford vacations. But now these same people are crying they can’t afford to retire. People many times are where they are because of the choices they make! Life is tough!

[@Souleater7777]

Nah

[@HappyDogAdventures-h4l]

Very true. The choices we make affects our lives.

[@prismbrandingrealestatebra6301]

The inflation is often used as a cover for what is actually the result of price collusion. Grocery stores over the past 20 years have been merging without changing the sign or the name so the public still sees the industry as competing when in fact they are the same company behind the scenes and colluding on price.

[@GergonX]

A couple of hours ago, my wife emailed me to say she just had her work hours cut significantly. I had a doctor's appointment next week that I will have to cancel. I am going to lie to everyone and tell them I feel better so that's why I didn't see the doctor. This is just awful. I am 60 years old and worked in IT. Tech jobs disappeared and age is working against me. When times were good, I was proud and felt optimistic about the future. Now I can't provide for my family and it seems I really screwed up.

[@garethwilliams4467]

THat was me in my thirties. My wife left me and took our daughter. Be grateful that didn't happen ot you

[@E.GuzMarkn6272]

I left home at 17years old in the 90's. Only a bag of clothes. I lived with 15 other dudes, slept on the floor, got 2 part time jobs and still hustled for extra cash. My situation forced me to do so many sacrifices. Now I own 3 houses live in one rent 2. Don't have a car payment. Think smart, make sacrifices and you will succeed.

[@josueflores8684]

Its more our fault for spending money that we don’t have

[@khaitran3709]

Can afford to live , but nfl n NBA stadium all get filled..!

[@rdallas81]

Good point.

[@cherfrench6087]

Even better...look at the people at Taylor Swift concerts. You know those tickets aren't cheap!!

[@bellalettyandally7549]

Put it on the credit cards. Credit card debts in America is at all time high.

[@MikeJohn-hh8no]

I raised my kids I'm divorced I'm eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and drinking water at home everyday

[@missmrice91]

“ Comparison is the thief of joy” so true

[@joec5544g]

I hear many people speak of wages and how they don't keep up with inflation/prices... That is unfortunately a reality... Here's one more reality... In the last 53 years, household income is only up 700%... The S&P is up almost 5,700%... The reason times are hard and the middle class is disappearing isn't primarily because of "corporate greed" or "price gouging", but rather it's simply becoming an era of investors and non investors... It is very rare that income alone builds security, let alone wealth... People can believe me or go get a third job.. Your choice....... Love the content, take care.

[@Mylife-g2z1g]

I’m waiting with bated breath to see how those political changes work out. Especially since Republicans just voted to increase the federal spending budget. Ridiculous

[@waynemitchell9]

JJ, No matter who's president, they can't control your rent, how much you pay for groceries, your car payment, etc, that's all from corporate greed which really started and got worse with the pandemic. People need to battle with corporate CEO's not politicians. In my 70 years, I never ran my life according to politics. You try and get the best career you can, be wise with your money and be good to others. Don't worry about elections, no politician can save you. Thanks.

[@jkseraphim4]

Excatly. This was what people thought after Bush Jr. left, and Obama became president. I still blame Bush Jr for all this.

[@FooFan-b3k]

Amen! I'm in my 60's and things have been worse than now and better and the one thing that never changes is some win and some don't.

[@Barfclips]

Bs.. trump will shake up industries to protect us. That’s why they try so hard to make us hate him

[@Bitcoin_Gold]

Wrong blame all this on worst President in history Joe Biden & Useless Kamala for destroying America's economy using there bad policies

[@10leomessi]

It's frustrating trying to explain this to people. I'm 29 and even I see that it's both corporate greed AND people trying to flaunt a life they can't actually afford. But no, they want to blame who's in office and think this next election will somehow make a positive impact on their financial health if the "right" person gets elected. No politician can fix your problems if your monthly take home pay is $4k but you spend $4,200 taking on $200 in debt a month.

[@ThePetit1989]

It’s bad out here. Company just did another re-org and laid off nearly 5% of the workforce, sent a number of jobs to India. I think at this point people at work are just preparing for whatever may happen. Just try to pay off your debts and wait for the shoe to drop. At least that’ll save you from accruing interest on owed money.

[@leee3880]

Not only were credit cards not around, neither was social media, which I think also helps entice people to live like out of control spending fools. They will see what others have, and believe they “deserve” it too.

[@laurettespann3951]

I raised my kids in the high inflation 80s and 90s. Absolutely used credit cards. I stopped reading the newspaper and magazines because of the adds promoting consumism. If I didn't know about it I didn't want it. My husband worked at a job and found a new job making more money and we scrimped and saved and invested. We didn't eat out much and I started small businesses to have spending money and pay for inexpensive trips for my 4 kids and us. The 80's were tough. We had an 11.5% mortgage. Car loans we paid 13-14% for cheap used cars. Yes houses and cars cost less but wages were so much less. We made 15,000 ayear and had 4 hungry kids that outgrew everything quickly. No today isn't harder. Everyone just watches KZbin and other social media and wallows in it. The problem isn't how much you make, it's how much you spend

[@chuckstercam]

The government is not the primary reason. Yes, the over printing of money has certainly not helped. It's not that simple, though. Corporate greed, deregulation, the stagnation of wages, just name a few. The government is not the answer to our problems. The government's behavior is a symptom of a greater problem. Big business is doing great, and everyone else is at their mercy. Laws like Citizens United have destroyed the economy inside out. There have been 4 Republicans in office and 4 Democrats over my lifetime, meaning from birth until now, and nothing has changed for the better.

[@7Write4This9Heart7]

As someone who lives in CA and still lives with her parents and other adult siblings who also can't afford to move out because of it 'cause NOTHING around me is affordable AT ALL, even a ROOM in a stranger's HOUSE ($1.5-2k/mo! WITHOUT kitchen, parking, or laundry privileges!), I'm heavily considering moving to Texas. My toxic job (and toxic mother) is literally KILLING me from stress, and I can't take not being able to be independent anymore. It sucksssss! And this is WITH 2 part-time jobs and a side hustle and saving like a crazy person! ;A;

[@johntaylor4093]

Kroger admitted to price gouging

[@Barada73]

I make less than $30,000 a year and I'm in a pretty good place right now financially. I'll be in a better place once I pay off this last $6000 worth of credit card debt, but I'm definitely not struggling just to survive. A lot of my specific situation has to do with the relative low cost of living of the state I currently live in and I keep my expenses as low as possible. I do have hobbies that I occasionally spend too much money on, but it's 100% my fault if I blow my budget on a hobby related item. I'm not going to blame my job, the economy, capitalism, whatever, when I really just need to look in the mirror to explain why I'm broke.

[@joec5544g]

Like any type of "bad habit" admitting it is the first step... Take care.

[@jeffk3368]

You say you aren’t doing do bad, but having 20% of your yearly income on credit cards is a serious problem. Sounds like you know what you need to do to get out of the hole. Don’t give up and don’t lose steam!

[@paimond223]

Global inflation wasn't caused by printing money, btw...

[@kinggeoffrey3801]

If you have to work 60-70 hours a week to survive, then that's what you need to do. Me and my wife did it for 20 years and now in our 40s in a comfortable position. As Dave Ramsey said, Suck it up buttercup, nobody is going to save you.

[@Calinative0523]

@@SuzyQ528The guy over here acting like Property taxes/car insurance/home insurance/food/energy/etc didn’t go up 😂😂. The Dave Ramsey excuse was good before 2020.

[@IAm-pi7kf]

When you're forced to work that much just for survival you're not really living, i.e just paid enough to survive makes it so that way you can't save any money or invest into your future. It also sets a bad precedent for work culture, for instance we could all just employ children to do 80 hour work weeks to make things easier for all of us, but that wouldn't work for obvious reasons. Instead of constantly putting it on the individual to work more and more, we also need to refine our work culture and restore the economy to accommodate a 40 hour a week wage on average. We start by taxing the rich, proper management of the tax ofc, get rid of blackstone/rock, and not allow people to generate artificial scarcity with real estate.

[@mikehawk302]

I would rather drop dead than work 60-70 hours a week, not how I would want to live my life.

[@garethwilliams4467]

@@IAm-pi7kf why tax the rich ? What do I owe you . If youwant more money ... try adding more value. I'm guessing you vote "left" I notice yu don't talk about how eqaulity for the global south has taken away your comfortabel lifestyle. YOu want me to share with you ... but you're upset you have to share with the global south. Sounds like hypocrisy

[@garywarren3600]

When you fail to plan, plan to fail...

[@SL123-zd6kf]

corporate greed and price gouging! Those are facts

[@tammyflashy9328]

Don’t vote

[@wan3416]

Let’s be real, there is no stigma behind the 9-5. Only whiny underachievers trying to motivate themselves to get out of their $30k per year entry level desk job

[@cocktailonion696]

I was always under the impression that it was the goal to have a regular job with regular and dependable hours and a living wage.

[@economicallyshort5184]

4:52 this rhetoric is stupid - if you can’t afford a $4 cup of coffee, you’re not an adult and your employed in a role that is not paying enough to afford a $4 cup of coffee along with your essential expenses. Find a higher paying job or income source to accommodate your $4 cup of coffee.

[@turnipfarmer_retired]

Hey, I just wanted to thank you for the reminder to stay grateful. It's really the foundation for content, I think. I was at my desk reading a message from "someone" and was tempted to be grumpy at the very moment you spoke the words. Lol.

[@dreao276]

My starbucks is usually 8 dollars and some change w the tip 😅 that's why it's an ocassional treat and I get my free coffee at work and on the weekends I make my own ❤😊

[@nicoleavery7238]

It’s trash coffee

[@jessicamarieporter5391]

Its not just Americans struggling, its literally every country.

[@BREEZYM6015]

I make $3,600 a month net and have a mortgage of $1,550. I'm good.

[@Tony-mq5yo]

No you're not, very soon they going to raise taxes and insurance and utilities while YOU making same wages. I hope not, but this is what I see.

[@kzvlllll709]

I think hes being sarcastic.

[@CC_2000-z5t]

Not just the past few years. The past decades. Trump printed a LOT. But supply chains got messed up when everything shut down. Prices rose due to lack of supply. Then companies saw a chance to use inflation as an excuse to double down and raise them 2x inflation. Now inflation has come way down. So please extend your analysis to look at the big picture.

[@SafeTopps]

Money sent to Ukraine could have been utilized to benefit US. We don’t need to send any other NATO countries money!

[@MKiurinuRigold]

In my country you can get a cup of normal beans coffee for $1.65 in usd - the shop is air conditioned too (toast box, yakun or kiliney) Go ahead and coming over to SE Asia folks You can get economic rice which is plain rice with 3 kinds of vegetables for $2.68 US dollars

[@harveythecat]

If you make more than 60k and are still broke, it’s your own fault for not knowing how to prioritize your spending and lifestyle

[@phillyd4874]

Depends where you live because if only making 60k where I live is poverty

[@harveythecat]

@@phillyd4874 I live in San Francisco, the most expensive city in the USA, where 100K is considered low-income, and yet I’m still able to save and invest $1,800 per month with a salary under $65K. Do you have any more excuses?

[@harveythecat]

@@phillyd4874 I live in San Francisco, the most expensive city in the USA, where 100K is considered low-income, and yet I’m still able to save and invest $1,800 per month with a salary under $65K. Any more excuses?

[@harveythecat]

@@phillyd4874 I live in SF, where 100K is considered low-income, and yet I’m still able to save and invest $1,800 per month with a salary under $65K. Any more excuses?

[@harveythecat]

@@phillyd4874 I save and invest $1800 per month in a city where $100,000 is considered low-income with a salary under $65K. Any more excuses?

[@Susan-iq2di]

The younger people I am around do not know how to manage money! The problem is that they think debt is normal. If you think it is normal, you will never get out of debt. No, debt is like poison. If you want to be financially healthy, you need to avoid it. Younger people also tend to have a herd mentality. They copy what others say, do and buy. And then one day they wake up with student debt, a car loan, credit card debt and family handouts. I am financially comfortable at 71 because when I was growing up, my dad and grandad built our house for our large family. We walked and rode bikes to places. My dad drove a 25 year old truck to work. We ate simple meals, had a garden and NEVER had dessert. Dessert was an extravagance, except for Christmas and Easter. Rarely had chicken or beef, mostly cheap pork. We made our own toys and created our own fun. Our whole neighborhood did the same and all of homes were paid off, we had food and we prospered in life. Prosperity starts with good decisions. Change your thinking and change your life!

[@mostmost1]

Tiktok beghing is the new hustle. They in cars doing videos and asking for donations. They struggling but getting $75 hair cuts, ordering uber eats, and buying the best mics to make videos.

[@JB-kx9bx]

There’s no context with all these TikTok videos about not affording life. What’s their income, what are they spending money on? People doing dumb shit with their money.

[@OneIncomeSuperSaver]

Being immature and irresponsible makes one broke! Life simply and frugally..you will never be broke

[@Tailionis]

Off what ramen noodles? Living in your car? How simple must we be? This is ridiculous like your comment. Just lost my home from flooding. Now what? Wtf are we supposed to do!?

[@OneIncomeSuperSaver]

@@Zx6rBlue Yet many people are still living comfortably on one income. 🤨🤔🤷🏻‍♀️

[@OneIncomeSuperSaver]

@@Zx6rBlue Yet many people are living comfortably on one income 🤨🤔🤷🏻‍♀️

[@ladyzeta6]

@@OneIncomeSuperSaver starting out in this economy is rough for young people. It’s different if you’re older, college years behind you, have had years to earn and save, have low APRs on mortgage/cars, etc. Those things make a difference. There are people who overspend and don’t save and yes that plays a factor but when your large fixed expenses are manageable, life is easier. My boyfriend (now husband) and I had an apartment, we were mid 20’s, $440/month, I had a brand new car. Wages were good. I took trips, could still save. I paid off my student loan (out of state university) in ONE YEAR. All while living in a major city. My daughter would be looking at $2000/mo for an apartment (or live with a random person to split expenses), brand new cars are unaffordable and college is insanely priced even if you go to an in state school. Keeping all things equal, she literally can’t do what her father and I did 30 years ago. People do have to save and adapt but it definitely isn’t as simple as it used to be, many jobs pay horribly and it sucks to say, “You can’t live the life I could at your age, oh well.”

[@abrareads]

The average car payment is over 600 dollars a month so some is still poor choices. I love seeing people rethinking expensive colleges.

[@HayesChad]

Amen about taking for granted what we have now in comparison to what we didn't have just 100 years ago.

[@cassecassss]

I hear you suggesting people to move all the time and I get the thought process behind that but in reality it isn’t that easy. You moved to Missouri I’m sure because it’s cheaper but you also have family there which is so important when you’re raising a family. Secondly, most jobs that people have would be paid drastically less if they were to move. For example, my husband is an iron worker in the union in Boston, if we were to move he would make on average- $30 less an hour anywhere we moved and most places don’t include health insurance or annuity. I am a bartender in Boston and make close to 100k a year- that’s not something that happens in other places. Please take these things into consideration before you suggest for people to move.

[@real82it]

That explanation for the cause inflation does not work this time. That explanation relies on the fact that there are more dollars chasing the same amount or fewer goods. The vast majority of people I know in the last four years have not had more dollars, they have had noticeably less. It is to the point now where people I know that make into the six figures are broke. People don’t have excess dollars yet inflation persists. Something else is causing this drastic persistent inflation. Supply side? Taxation? Other?

[@SycoticReaperMk]

Trillions printed by government and given to their rich friends

[@jeffk3368]

Feeling broke while making six figures is because of spending habits and inflation. That amount of money just doesn’t go as far anymore. With interest rates being at a more normal level instead of dirt cheap, mortgages have become tremendously expensive compared to even just 4 years ago.

[@garethwilliams4467]

people with 6 figure incomes AND BRAINS are NOT broke! THat is still a very high wage and comfortbale in most parts of the western world

[@maxwellsterlingYT]

what's deep is realizing that 3 generations from now the levy would have broken completely.

[@joseCalderon1976]

I'm 48, born in central America, I went through a civil war and revolutionary war back when I was a kid in Nicaragua. I beg to differ with that lady. Yeah, things are more expensive and it's harder to make it, BUT I cannot stand here with a straight face and say the cost of living is WORSE than an active war. Do you really think that veterans that have been through active war think that it's worse right now than back then? A lot of us make it much harder on ourselves by buying "needs" that are way too much for us, like very experience cars, huge houses, living in areas that are way too much for our salary, etc. Now is that former government worker talking about the economy? The state of people's minds? I don't know. Yes, it's harder, but not impossible to make it. My honest opinion. I make about $120k with my wife combined here in San Antonio TX, and we can save, go out, save for retirement, do stuff with our kids and other things like that. And we don't live pay check to lay check? Why? Because we have a modest home (we got into it back in 2012. $165k at 3.5% interest), we only drive good reliable used vehicles, and we don't constantly buy crap that we don't really need. Just my opinion.

[@LIVINGMYBESTLIFE198]

You are so right with everything you said, I am in my thirties and only just now realizing how much better life is cutting back on your expenses. I don't eat out anymore like that only once a month. I now have a full time permanent job so I am now able to control my finances better. Without living beyond my means. It feels great to be stable. Sorry to all those people having a hard time but try doing what he said in his videos. Cut back on your expenses. It was hard for me to do so but I am so much better for it. Thanks for your video's I just subscribed.

[@h.y0134]

This is so real😢.. I feel the struggling. Everything gonna collaps... Be carefull with your money❤❤❤❤ 2025 to ... 2030... gonna be crazy Big depression and big crash is coming!

[@CSpottsGaming]

"This is Economics 101." That's sort of the problem, though. Economics 101 is a bit like Physics 101 in that it makes unreasonable assumptions in order to vastly simplify the calculations. In actuality recent inflation was demand driven not supply driven. In other words, it was sudden consumer demand after the pandemic that caused supply chain issues and ultimately led to higher prices, it wasn't "money printer go brr." You can't entirely isolate the effects of one from the other, and the fact that people had spending money on hand after pandemic stimulus hit absolutely didn't help the situation, but the stimulus alone wasn't the cause. We know this because stimulus money in the past has not driven similar inflationary outcomes.

[@nychris2258]

Just in case everyone has forgotten, Trump was president four years ago in 2020 when all the stimulus happened.