The American Dream Isn't Dead... You Just Can't Afford It

Sign up for our FREE newsletter! - www.compoundeddaily.com/
Books we recommend - howmoneyworkslibrary.com/
-----
My Other Channel: @HowHistoryWorks
Edited By: Svibe Multimedia Studio
Music Courtesy of: Epidemic Sound
Select Footage Courtesy of: Getty Images
For sponsorship inquiries, please contact [e-mail]
Sign up for our newsletter compoundeddaily.com 👈
All materials in these videos are for educational purposes only and fall within the guidelines of fair use. No copyright infringement intended. This video does not provide investment or financial advice of any kind.
#business #finance #realestate
------
How much money would you need to buy the American Dream?
Not how much would you need to make in order to afford the REPAYMENTS on the American Dream… how much would you need to buy the house, the two cars, the family and a basic vacation every year?
Probably a lot more than you have, right?
I know it’s not going to blow your mind to find out that these (supposedly) vital ingredients to a good life have gotten kind of expensive… but it has reached a tipping point.
The American Dream is not dead, so much as it’s an extreme luxury that in many parts of the country can now cost as much as TEN MILLION DOLLARS to afford… that’s more than most of us will ever earn in our lifetimes BEFORE taxes, interest payments and basic essentials like… food…
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but holding onto the traditional financial wisdom of what you AUGHT to have in life is now permanently out of reach for most people and as more Americans realize this, it’s fundamentally reshaping our economy…
According to data from the US Fed and the Census compiled in the Cas Shiller Index, the average cost of a home in the US is now more than seven point six times [7.6X] median COMBINED household incomes.
That’s now significantly higher than it was in the leadup to the Global Financial Crisis, an economic meltdown enabled by… housing speculation.
If you think that’s bad, spare a though for the UK, which has lower wages but similarly priced homes or Canadians who according to data compiled by financial samurai have on average ten percent less [10%] less disposable income but live in houses SEVENTY FIVE PERCENT [75%] more expensive
New mortgage rates are also at the highest point they have been since 2000, when home prices were only four times household income.
The average person even IF they have a full-time working partner cannot reasonably afford to purchase an average home at current prices with current interest rates without paying more than HALF of their BEFORE TAX income in INTEREST.
That’s before principal repayments on the loan, and before income tax. In reality, the average bank wouldn’t even write this mortgage because it would be financially irresponsible.
So it’s time to learn How Money Works to find out why it might be time to let go of the American Dream…

[@HowMoneyWorks]

Sign up for our FREE newsletter! - www.compoundeddaily.com/

[@Mocktailmetal]

Something's not correct about this video, the youtuber of this video is talking about the digital nomads who are in IT, tech sectors. Last time when I checked, all the IT, tech companies are calling people back to office, and whoever is defying is getting boot! Also, the percentage of these 'digital nomads' are very low to almost nullable/negligible compared to rest of population. Most of core industry people still have to go to work to see how machining/fabrication of part is working. Or if you are a burger flipper then defiantly you have to be their since robots are yet to takeover.

[@rossturner3650]

Just so you know youtube unsubscribed me from your channel! Outrageous!

[@Mr.Autodelete]

Easy to write this in yalls home right? “Sorry kids the houses were for us not you but no don’t give up!” Pretty rough sell to me personally.

[@hebozhe]

How much would I need to buy a family? I'll need to check the price tag on my wife and kid.

[@MiggerPlease]

@@MocktailmetalI'm gay too buddy lol

[@Patriciabanks5]

I think the retirement crisis will get even worse. A lot of people can’t save because of low paying jobs, inflation, and insane rental rates. And now that home ownership is out of reach for middle class Americans, they won’t have a house to retire with either.

[@ScottArmstrong12]

Rising prices have affected my intention of retiring at 62, working part-time, and building my savings. I'm worried about whether individuals who weathered the 2008 financial crisis found it less challenging than my current situation. The stock market's volatility, coupled with a reduced income, is making me anxious about having enough for retirement.

[@KevinClarke9]

I completely agree; I am 60 years old, recently retired, and have approximately $1,250,000 in external retirement funds. I am debt free and have very little money in retirement funds compared to the total value of my portfolio over the past three years. To be honest, having a portfolio-advisor for investing is genius!

[@ritalorrigan]

who is your advisor please, if you don't mind me asking?

[@KevinClarke9]

Carol Vivian Constable is the licensed advisor I use. Just research the name. You’d find necessary details to work with a correspondence to set up an appointment.

[@ritalorrigan]

I just looked her up on the web and I would say she really has an impressive background in investing. I will write her an email shortly.

[@Hersatz]

When having a child is considered a luxury, you know you've fucked up.

[@axel3689]

Yeah, when the literal biological purpose of humans is a "luxury" I think fuck capitalism and let's revert everything to the primal state man. Just so fucking tired of these Uber rich motherfuckers content on working 23 hours per day and the mfers jealous of them eating mcdonalds everyday.

[@rustym.shackelford5546]

Actually, that's when you learn that you gotta leave your sheiße höle of a country...

[@ratsock]

Literally the whole purpose of existence of every life form on the planet is now a luxury….

[@xman7695]

​@@rustym.shackelford5546The comment is what I've been hearing from many people in Europe (Germany in my case) and what we've seen in Europe and Asia. The US still has a better replacement rate than both if I remember correctly.

[@eldrago19]

​@@xman7695🤷 we're all in crisis because we've all been messed up by the super wealthy. The sooner people realise it's a problem everywhere and start trying to fix it rather than thinking they can just run away, the better.

[@Greghilton3]

The U.S. economy can actually get better if only the govt can start making better decisions for the sake of it's citizens, cos' they've really made life more difficult for its residents. Hyperinflation has left the less haves bearing the brunt of the burden. Its already eating into my entire $620k retirement portfolio. Like where else can we invest our money with less risks?

[@ClaytonPaterson-uu6kh]

Just get a financial planner straight up! personally, I would invest in etf and also love investing in individual stocks. yes it’s riskier but I'm comfortable in my financial environment.

[@Davidstowe872]

I agree. Exactly why I now work with one. A lot of folks downplay the role of advisors until being burnt by their emotions, no offense. I remember some years back, during the covid-outbreak, I needed a good boost to stay afloat, hence researched for advisors and thankfully came across one with grit. As of today, my cash reserve has yielded from $350k to nearly $1m

[@SteveEstrada-js9nu]

Who is your advsor please? if you don't mind me asking

[@Davidstowe872]

The advisor that guides me is Amber Dawn Brummit, most likely the internet is where to find her basic info, just search her name. She's established.

[@SteveEstrada-js9nu]

Thank you for the lead. I searched her up, and I have sent her an email. I hope she gets back to me soon.

[@shellylofgren]

America is currently plagued by the hydra-headed evil duo of inflation and recession. The worst part about this recession is that consumers are racking up credit card debt. In April alone, credit card debt went up 20% while rates have doubled in a year. Inflation is so high that consumers are literally taking debt for basic life necessities. Collapse has indeed begun..

[@donna_martins]

Every day we have a new problem. It's the new normal. At first we thought it was a crisis, now we know it's a new normal and we have to adapt. this year will be a year of severe economic pain all over the nation.. what steps can we take to generate more income during quantitative adjustment?I can't afford my hard-earned 180k savings to turn to dust

[@robert-1miller]

This is precisely why I like having a portfolio coach guide my day-to-day market decisions: with their extensive knowledge of going long and short at the same time, using risk for its asymmetrical upside and laying it off as a hedge against the inevitable downward turns, their skillset makes it nearly impossible for them to underperform. I've been utilizing a portfolio coach for more than two years, and I've made over $800,000.

[@Trevor_Morrow_LTD]

that’s some interesting numbers, mind revealing this person guding you ? he/she must be a seasoned advisor

[@robert-1miller]

Vivian Jean Wilhelm is the licensed advisor I use. Just google the name. You’d find necessary details to work with and set up an appointment.

[@Trevor_Morrow_LTD]

Thanks a lot for this suggestion. I needed this myself, I looked her up, and I have sent her an email. I hope she gets back to me soon.

[@toddtheisen8386]

Fifty seven years old. Started working at 14. Fell for the "dignity of hard work" BS. Generated enormous profits for decades for employers. Rewarded with stagnant wages, slashed benefits and a body that is scarred by a dozen injuries. Little wonder young people are not falling for the working hero mantra.

[@princemc35]

I'm 19, no home, no income. Ask me how I survive

[@TheRm65]

@@princemc35 Try doing a service job (e.g., dog walking, window washing, simple handyman-type work that doesn't require a lot of tools). Recently I had the use of a vehicle and picked up dog shit from suburban lawns: $20 each time, did three jobs an hour. Gross= $60 an hour and business was picking up (sorry, couldn't resist the pun). It's all about the hustle.

[@princemc35]

@@TheRm65 Thanks for the advice But I had won a game of Roulette two days ago I grew my $100 to a lot I got kicked out for winning 5 times in a row 🥲 Then they only gave me $50,000

[@Demmrir]

I feel like Gen X (like you) and younger all get it but it's still nice to hear it. But boomers are the ones in charge of the companies and the government regulating the companies and they just think everyone is lazy.

[@bwofficial1776]

@@TheRm65 All of these people are going "woe is me, everything sucks and I'm not going to do anything about it." If you hustle, you can make it. Don't expect people to give handouts, seize them for yourself.

[@Susanhartman.]

Three years ago, nobody could have foreseen the current state of the U.S. dollar. The U.S. continues to repeat the same mistakes that have led to the dollar's current situation. As a result, there's no guarantee that the dollar's future will be as bright as it's hoped to be.

[@91ScottieP]

Indeed, you are correct! But on the advantageous aspect, economic downturns offer numerous prospects for ordinary individuals to create wealth from the ground up. Nevertheless, seeking guidance from an investment planner might be necessary if you desire a more assertive return.

[@mariaguerrero08]

I fully agree and place great value on my advisor's role in guiding my daily investments. They excel in both long and short strategies, managing risk for potential gains and protection against market downturns. Their access to exclusive insights and in-depth analysis makes exceeding expectations a regular outcome. In the two-plus years I've worked with my advisor, I've gained over 1.2million dollars.

[@mikegarvey17]

@@mariaguerrero08who is your advisor please, if you don't mind me asking?

[@mariaguerrero08]

"Gertrude Margaret Quinto" is the licensed advisor I use. Just research the name. You’d find necessary details to work with a correspondence to set up an appointment

[@ThomasChai05]

I just looked her up on the web and I would say she really has an impressive background in investing. I will write her an email shortly.

[@kortyEdna825]

More and more people might face a tough time in retirement. Low-paying jobs, inflation, and high rents make it hard to save. Now, middle-class Americans find it tough to own a home too, leaving them without a place to retire.

[@PatrickFitzgerald-cx6io]

The increasing prices have impacted my plan to retire at 62, work part-time, and save for the future. I'm concerned about whether those who navigated the 2008 financial crisis had an easier time than I am currently experiencing. The combination of stock market volatility and a decrease in income is causing anxiety about whether I'll have sufficient funds for retirement.

[@foden700]

This is precisely why I like having a portfolio coach guide my day-to-day market decisions: with their extensive knowledge of going long and short at the same time, using risk for its asymmetrical upside and laying it off as a hedge against the inevitable downward turns, their skillset makes it nearly impossible for them to underperform. I've been utilizing a portfolio coach for more than two years, and I've made over $800,000.

[@Pamela.jess.245]

How can I reach this person?

[@foden700]

‘’Colleen Rose Mccaffery’ maintains an online presence. Just make a simple search for her name online.

[@Pamela.jess.245]

I checked Colleen up out of curiosity and i must say i am impressed by her Credentials. i emailed her already, waiting on her response.

[@RedPilledFit]

“It’s call the American Dream, because you have to be asleep to believe it.” - George Carlin.

[@dowhatyouwill]

Came here to post this!

[@WiseOwl_1408]

Like a Sheep​ @@dowhatyouwill

[@carleonking1852]

Same ​@@dowhatyouwill

[@JimmyJim13]

This quote is so overused that now it’s just corny.

[@CaraMarie13]

It had to be someone. It might as well be you

[@victoriancu7358]

Everyone you meet always asks if you have a career, are married, or own a house as if life was some kind of grocery list. But no one ever asks you if you are happy. -Heath Ledger

[@baileymaloney1961]

Because those are usually the things that make you happy

[@afrivox]

How do u measure happiness though? Ans how many broke homeless people can we say are genuinely happy?

[@Demmrir]

@@baileymaloney1961 Are they? Everyone I've known who was married for long was absolutely miserable.

[@AlsadsajsAlsadsajs-vl7th]

Are they unhappy because they’re married or are they unhappy because they’re old

[@Curlsonaplane]

@@baileymaloney1961those are the things that typically make a person safe. Safety is the foundation of the hierarchy needs. Without it, self actualization isn’t possible

[@cole-3606]

People: can’t afford to have children or own homes Government: the nasdaq and GDP are at an all time high! We’re winning everyone the economy’s doing great!!!

[@evilds3261]

Until the next great depression. Those rich people will be crying when their gains just vanish without "explanation."

[@nattypatty3667]

The top 10% literally own 91% of the stocks. Nobody in the news or govt points this out...

[@nwatson2773]

People killing themselves too. Govt: self-care

[@sandermez3856]

in 1920s the stocks were also at an all time high...

[@evilds3261]

@@sandermez3856 Yeah, the 1930s were depressing. Pride goes before the fall.

[@Robertgriffinne]

Our economy struggling with uncertainties, housing issues, foreclosures, global fluctuations, and pandemic aftermath, causing instability. Rising inflation, sluggish growth, and trade disruptions need urgent attention from all sectors to restore stability and stimulate growth.

[@PhilipMurray251]

With the US dollar losing value to inflation and other currencies gaining traction, uncertainty looms. Yet, many still trust in the Dollar's perceived safety. Worried about my $420,000 retirement savings losing value, I seek alternative security for my money.

[@Patriciacraig599]

With my demanding job, I lack time for investment analysis. For seven years, a fiduciary has managed my portfolio, adapting to market conditions, enabling successful navigation and informed decisions. Consider a similar approach.

[@PhilipMurray251]

this is definitely considerable! think you could suggest any professional/advisors i can get on the phone with? i'm in dire need of proper portfolio allocation

[@Patriciacraig599]

Linda Aretha Reeves is the licensed advisor I use. Just research the name. You’d find necessary details to work with to set up an appointment

[@Christine-ce4xo]

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.

[@MiketheNerdRanger]

When literally giving life has become a luxury, something has gone horribly, HORRIBLY wrong.

[@lmnzguy]

all according to plan

[@HaggisMuncher-69-420]

THAT'S BIDENOMICS HAHAHAHAH

[@makuru_dd3662]

Biden was only in office for 4 years now. No, ​@@HaggisMuncher-69-420 Biden couldn't be at fault for it, only for not addressing the problem.

[@Nanook128]

​@@HaggisMuncher-69-420that's capitalism

[@mjolnir_swe]

To be honest I wonder if people prioritize other things? Surely cannot be eaier to rasie kids in countries like Malawi or Mozambique.

[@devourerinthemist]

Well no, if it's unaffordable to the average person, then it is dead. The point of the American dream is that the majority of people, with basic jobs can be prosperous, have their own land/property, and just generally be financially stable. So yes, the American Dream is dead.

[@Noah_527]

Depending on how you interpret the data, the majority of millenials (54%) do own property. Is it lower than 40 years ago, yes, but 54% is still the majority. Should 80% be able to own property? Maybe. Will that ever happen? No. Has it ever been that way? No.

[@carlossantos6683]

Images associated with the American Dream come from an era where the United States was responsible for 2/3 of manufacturing and half of the GDP of the world as a result left from the devastation of Europe and Japan in WWII. The prosperity of those times were a combination of New Deal policies with geopolitical circumstances that are both long gone. Although before 1946 the U.S. was not exactly an equal and fair society depending on the metrics life today for the average worker is as hard as it was in the 1930s.

[@RubenDeanda-lb9wr]

No it isn’t send me your income tax pay and I’ll a just your income to your expenses if you live where I’ll tell you send to school your kids were I’ll tell you and buy what I’ll tell you , I asure you , you can have a home in a future nor less than 20 to 30 years , you can have 2 modest cars and you can have some vacation but you need discipline

[@pritapp788]

​@@Noah_527property ownership isn't absolutely needed if affordable rental housing exists. But that too is dead.

[@LegendFromWoW]

Fact

[@waynesimpson4081]

Being old myself: there is a bit of historical revision of the American Dream from 50-70's. Cities were for the uber-rich and low blue collar. Post-war boom allowed (some) people to buy into modest suburban homes with usually 1 car. Vacations were expensive. (Roadtrips and camping were done because the were inexpensive.) Consumer goods and clothing were bought on "installment". Basically, the "dream" was always a degree of struggle.

[@conchobar]

I agree with your statement, but it was dependent on where you lived. My parents moved from the South to Detroit in the mid 60s and thrived, buying a home and car in the city, off a single income. They were Black on top of that and neither had a college degree. As you stated installment/layaway purchase plans was the norm, but local banks and credit unions banks offered better savings interest rates. Hell, even a Christmas Club savings account in the 70s offered better ROI than savings vehicles offered by local banks over the past 25 years. Add in the lack of pensions, little to no vertical career paths within corporations, and fewer career paths from minimum wage positions. Silent Gen and Boomers had to work hard for what they got, but there was also a massive amount of tools and opportunities available to make that happen.

[@butterman6872]

Agreed, I think most younger people’s definition of the “American Dream” now is “what I wish I could afford” or “how my parents / rich friends live”. If people are willing to learn a trade or get into nursing or government jobs, drive a 5-10 year old medium trim level car, live 1-2 hours away from major population centers, buy a house that’s 20-30 years old and do renovations themselves, buy groceries at Sam’s/Costco and Aldi, thrift their clothes from secondhand stores, and go on long road trip “cheap” camping type vacations instead of traveling the world or going to Disney World every year, the single-income household is very doable in the current economy. It isn’t glamorous, but it isn’t all doom and gloom. I think social media has given a lot of people FOMO. I’ve heard a lot of stories from older folks and most of them grew up that way and thought they were living the American Dream back then.

[@DJRenee]

Thank you for that accurate information.

[@CanadianJourney97]

@@butterman6872 dude look at housing prices. Housing is the vehicle for retirement. Trims a lot of your idiotic statements. You can look at stock market too. The intelligent investor by Benjamin Graham worked for 100 years. It doesn't work anymore. What does that tell you for economics?

[@mackenzie305]

Even camping is getting super expensive

[@gracebrebda7543]

If you are not in the financial market space right now, you are making a huge mistake. I understand that it could be due to ignorance, but if you want to make your money work for you... prevent inflation

[@gracebrebda7543]

A lot of people still make massive profit from the crypto market, all you really need is a relevant information and some ‹professional advice. ‹it's totally inappropriate for investors to hang on while suffering from dip during significant

[@gracebrebda7543]

No I don't trade on my own anymore, I always required help and assistance

[@gracebrebda7543]

From my personal financial advisor

[@gracebrebda7543]

Here is her line she’s always active

[@gracebrebda7543]

+1548

[@letsgobrandon416]

"...earns too much to qualify for any government benefits, but too little to actual afford what the benefits offset the cost of..." damn if that doesn't describe my life perfectly.

[@skilltreegaming4055]

Earn too much to get low income housing, don't make enough to afford my own place without a roommate.

[@vicvic2081]

That's called hell

[@nomaderic]

Food stamps tells us we don't qualify because we have a car. If we sell the car we get the stamps. However if we sell the car how tf are we supposed to go to work or a anywhere

[@jonnym4670]

@@nomaderic your allowed to have a car not many cars

[@jonnym4670]

living on government benefits isn't a picnic

[@H8B7L]

Its basically like that in all first world countries. Only after getting my master in computer science was I able to afford the same 3 bedroom apartment that my single mom could buy without a degree 25 years ago.

[@user-gz4ve8mw9l]

Same issues or similar everywhere for such pretty much yes. Except the USA is even worse due to a lack of universal healthcare, and mandatory need for a car.

[@cydonia3167]

@@user-gz4ve8mw9l Exactly! And free or heavily subsidized higher education, trade schools, job training, etc. It will cost you around $15,000 in the US just to get a license to cut hair.

[@H8B7L]

@@user-gz4ve8mw9l oh for sure. Im glad that Im not living in the US.

[@johnnydied9563]

@@user-gz4ve8mw9lUniversal Healthcare, would cost billions of dollars for taxpayers do you know why healthcare is super expensive? It's because hospitals and such artificially increased their prices so that insurance companies could actually give savings to their clients. 2nd of all you don't technically need a car, but it is hard to live in the U.S. without one.

[@X11CHASE]

@@H8B7Lcope

[@shinlanten]

*_"These companies don't make billions of dollars, selling $2,000 shoes by appealing to logic"_* 😆🤣😆🤣

[@Vyvyan_Bastard]

The economy is designed for ghays and women, and Constantly trying to get both to shop.

[@jablue4329]

​@@Vyvyan_Bastard You have no idea how wrong you are. The average sneaker-head is straight as hell... and is also spending hundreds on street ware with every new drop.

[@Parcha64]

​@WwVd0 tell that to the "tactical" bros who drop an extra $50 for a camo water bottle covered in useless staps and buckles. What about the ATVs, boats, and trailers that rot in sheds? Team jerseys, grills, sports cars and any other product designed to appeal to men. Don't act like a $2000 shoe is a woman problem when dudes out here buying Jordans and Gucci too

[@shanenice5380]

@@Parcha64 I buy non brand clothes.they still last long

[@seabreeze4559]

they last longer actually, just like mens brands charging the same price

[@kylemiller2067]

If everything we buy is “outpacing inflation” then wtf even is inflation based on? Food outpacing inflation. Houses outpacing inflation. Cars outpacing inflation. College degree outpacing inflation. Healthcare outpacing inflation. What the af is inflation?

[@nwatson2773]

It's based on the gdp and stock market.

[@shrunkensimon]

Inflation is a silent tax, imposed by the ruling class via central banks.

[@MrSteeDoo]

That's because you believe everything that you hear. Doom and gloom sells. You didn't know that?

[@rrs1912]

You are 100% right. Effective inflation is much higher

[@JB-mh5xy]

Replace "inflation" with "the ability for the wealthy to buy more yachts", and you'll understand what inflation is.

[@Tenamor]

It's me, I gave up! 33, married, dual income home, 1 child(toddler). Outside of hitting the lottery somehow, I won't be retiring or even likely owning a home. I will work until I am no longer useful and then I will die, just as the system intended. EDIT: I know everyone is coming at this from a place of kindness and wanting to help. I'm not looking for advice however. I live comfortably, family is fed and bills are paid. I have simply accepted the situation and changed my perspective. Instead of scraping every dime together for the next 40 years to enjoy being jobless for 4 and then dying, I am investing in my hobbies and enjoying myself. So congratulations to those of you on your second house and fourth child at 14 years old with a stay at home wife, thank you for having me in your thoughts today, and best of luck. ❤️

[@redparis9225]

How much do you have in retirement if you don't mind me asking

[@xyzmediaandentertainment8313]

​@redparis9225 how much is your salary and wife's boob size if you don't mind me asking

[@Tenamor]

@@redparis9225 idk maybe like 2-3k, I've held a lot of jobs; I don't even know where that money is anymore.

[@Tenamor]

@@redparis9225 like 2-3k total maybe if they weren't cashed out when I left the jobs, held a lot of jobs I don't even know where those are anymore lmao

[@Savvynomad225]

@An_Equalsingle income, bought in 2013, same low rate you speak of, I couldn’t buy a house today.

[@Flyoff1234]

The American Dream should be that if you work hard enough, you can become rich/sucessful/famous, while the American life should be if you work a good job you should be able to retire later. Sucks that politicians have tricked people into thinking that the “dream” is middle class. Middle class should be the norm, not the dream.

[@reinaldomartinez13]

Speaking facts

[@nevisysbryd7450]

The norm? The middle class has barely existed outside of the last few centuries over five millennia of _recorded_ history, and was a very small proportion of the population outside of a few decades in the 20th century. While I agree that the politicians are nefarious, middle class is anything _but_ the norm.

[@visoriannull832]

@@nevisysbryd7450 As little as two hundred years ago it was the norm for people to be property. The middle class SHOULD be the norm, and it's societies job to get to that point. If we aren't working together to give each other a better quality of life, there is genuinely no point to society.

[@grimaffiliations3671]

@@nevisysbryd7450 It should be the norm though, in by far the richest country in the history of the world. But thanks to fearmongering about socialism, most Americans are denied the quality of life found in far poorer nations

[@oriontigley5089]

@@nevisysbryd7450 What would you suggest? We accept a return to serfdom?

[@ckingdds88]

One of the downsides of digital nomads is that it heavily affects average native workers in the area they move to. Its happening a lot in Mexico city. Sure businesses benefit from all the new money coming in from digital nomads, but when prices raise to compensate demand all the regular people in the area get pushed out. The solution for unaffordable cost of living for digital nomads becomes a new problem for natives that feel are being invaded.

[@HealyHQ]

Mexico City is gonna have far bigger problems if they don't solve the water crisis within a few months.

[@estefbc2932]

THIS and it seems they don't care. That's why locals are trying to make foreigners go back to their countries. The whole world's economy is bad, we don't need to make it even worse to other countries

[@Armored_Ariete]

y que el estado di Mexico no tienes reason o amor para los que tienen no dienero

[@floadingtv1466]

It always shocks me when my parents say “you’re 29 when we were your age we had 3 kids a home and food on the table” and when I rebuttal them with an inflation comment they don’t see it they think it’s easier now than it was 25 years ago it’s insane to me

[@smallbutdeadly931]

It's always easier to say to just go get something when you already have one for yourself.

[@kendallevans4079]

Your generation is just lazy! It's was hard for us and it was hard for the generation before us and it will be hard for the generation that comes along in 2075. Being young means sacrificing and scrimping and DOING WITHOUT FOR NOW, always has....gen Zeros just want to have everything a 60 year old has and wants is now!

[@VCBird6]

They already got theirs They're living in a bubble they hope never pops Be ready when it does so you can get yours

[@kendallevans4079]

@@VCBird6 Bubble? Bubble of WHAT? We "got ours" because we worked and didn't waste time complaining or playing video games. Gen Zero is screwed and rightfully so! This is payback back for wasting your parents time and money. Yeah we got ours and I'm spending YOUR social security money, chump!

[@SpottedHares]

“What are you just gonna come home and play video game the rest of your life” I was told this in middle school and you know what it really sounds a lot better then the alternative I was being pitched.

[@Novastar.SaberCombat]

The wealthy want you to work for THEM. If you do not, you'll be utterly *destroyed* by them. That's the game; the system; the societal norm. Ultimately, if you ain't rich, you ain't NOTHIN'.

[@Sonofawildanimal4241]

Should have bought a home in sixth grade!

[@SENSEF]

I know a lot of adult guys with THAT lifestyle. Go to work, come home and play video games, and that's about it.

[@aliengreen2364]

At least it’s cost effective!

[@harrys2331]

@@SENSEF if you spend time playing video games, you aren't going out buying expensive shit.

[@stanton7847]

A major issue is expectations. Our boomer parents refused to accept that the system they created was going to make life worse for us. They spent our childhoods telling us how good we had it, when reality spoke differently. When you realize that things are worse than they were and are going to trend that way, you at least can make decisions in that mindset. It's freeing.

[@BTrain-is8ch]

I don't know of too many minorities whether they be racial, social, sexual, whatever trying to make their way in the world today that would prefer having been born during the baby boom instead. Pretty sure that for most of the American population the idea that things are worse today than they were through most of baby boomers' lives is just objectively false. It takes a pretty narrow view of history to claim things were better back then.

[@mrj8940]

Yet, no one is protesting, most of them are worried about foreign countries

[@SerfinBird]

There is hope, just not with our current politicians. Republicans right now just want to lower corporate taxes which just puts more money in the share holders and executives pockets. Democrats just want to raise taxes on everyone and give it to economically unproductive groups like the NY MET and bring in lots of foreign labor hurting the value of our labor.

[@Noah_527]

Expectations is absolutely the issue. The current generation unfortunately compares itself to previous generations where the world and society was a different place. Some things were relatively cheaper then. Some things are relatively cheaper now. And we know comparison is the thief of joy and millennials and gen z sure aren’t choosing joy but instead bitterness over what they can’t have. Ironically, if you ask them if they would have liked to grow up in the 60s and 70s without all the tech advances like internet, Netflix, electric cars and social media my guess is they wouldn’t choose it. Life was simpler 40 years ago. It was also slower.

[@tony_5156]

@@SerfinBirdrepublicans caring about the people? As much as a lie as the democrats caring lol

[@rightwingsafetysquad9872]

Ah, so we've arrived at the gaslighting stage of crisis management.

[@rorycolgan]

For real. The dream is dead, and thats a good thing🤣😅😑😆

[@justinr9753]

Yeah, no joke when gas goes up we see "retail spending is up"

[@Tchild2]

In 1993 I was hired on at Fidelity Investments in SLC. My salary was $18,000 a year (entry level). Rents were around $500-$700 for a two bedroom apt. and homes in the Salt Lake Valley were about $140K -200K for middle of the road 3-5 bedroom, 3 bath, 2 car garage 1/4 - 1/3 acre home. I could only afford to rent. Based on housing inflation and today's prices. My starting salary at Fidelity would need to be four times higher to be in the same situation, or an entry level salary of $72,000. How many people start without a degree with a $72,000 annual salary? Nobody. A person would not be able to afford any house in the Salt Lake City area on $72,000 a year. If you cannot get a home to purchase, there is no American dream.

[@Quacken705]

I immigrated to an EU country. I know three US-born folks who got citizenship here and immediately filed to renounce US citizenship to stop dealing with US financial regs.

[@TheAzul_Indigo]

One could only dream to afford such a luxury!

[@Vlad-bs1js]

It's not that great in the EU either and it seems to be getting worse

[@emilianoperez7977]

​@@Vlad-bs1jswhy do you say that can you elaborate please

[@numerologicatarot3333]

@@Vlad-bs1jslol if Americans are moving there, it’s def getting worse.😂😂

[@darksmith7318]

@@emilianoperez7977over aging population brings heavy burden on national debt, it is way worse in eu than USA. USA also have a booming tech sector which takes out more and more percentage of disposable from international customers and leave less and less disposable income to spend on the eu goods. High and persist inflation caused by the war and heavy reliance on Chinese goods makes eu will face way worse inflation at the time when eu and China relations are deteriorating. Massively increased immigrants lead to cultural and societal conflict and bring forward civil incidents that ordinary officers have much less experience to deal with than US officers

[@StreetsAhead120]

That’s absolutely not true. Dusty Rhodes AKA The American Dream has been dead for years now.

[@brooksd-lg9lg]

😂

[@dbldekr]

and now the American Nightmare is the champ

[@alphastratus6623]

Yes. The American dream includes that these goals are achievable by middle class by hard work. This isn't true at all, at least for decades.

[@borrago]

It was the generation between baby boomers and millennials who killed it.

[@mpmac12]

Hard times dadeh!

[@michaeltburdine3652]

It seems people expect 3000 or 4000 square-foot houses now where everyone has their own bedroom and bath. Houses were cheaper in the 50s but many were only about 1000 square feet. Sure it was cozier, but they did the job. we have to get back to appreciating just having a roof over our head and running water and so on. Also, thanks to overregulation cars are expensive now because they are overcomplicated. Let’s get back to basic cars with an engine, four wheels, a bench seat, stick shift, and no infotainment center. We already have all that in our phones, it does not need to be built into a car. Cars also used to have V8 and V6 engines that did not have to work so hard and lasted a long time. Now, auto makers are being forced to put in turbocharged 4 cylinders that are over stressed and barely last 100,000 miles.

[@mshepard2264]

sure but builders are not building small homes. and all the American car companies have cancelled the lines for small simple cars. GM doesnt even sell a small economy car not because they didnt sell any but because they can make more on an escalade or a suburban. A huge part of the problem is that American big businesses and private equity firms have rigged the system so they can provide quarterly returns for rich investors. they dont plan ahead like they used too or take care of their work force.

[@ryanjacobson2508]

​@@mshepard2264Vehicle regulations are more stringent for cars than they are for trucks and "light trucks" (SUVs). That's a big reason for the shift away from cars.

[@Joe-ij6of]

The American dream is to leave America while still earning an American wage online… great.

[@codacreator6162]

Stability is a necessity and should never be regarded as a luxury. Watch what happens to the next gen kids who are raised by vagabonds.

[@the_expidition427]

The ever bubbling ilk of society

[@jacobg8640]

There won't be any because their parents can't afford to have them.

[@zUJ7EjVD]

What kids, nobody's having any except by accident.

[@Pukeyray]

Like after the depression?

[@Sonny_McMacsson]

@@zUJ7EjVD By accident is still having them just the same.

[@WillMoon]

I'm 33, own a home, live with my wife on a single income. The ONLY reason I was able to get to where I am is because I started a business in college and worked my way thru school with no student loans when I was done, then worked that business for ten years until I quit for health reasons. I got REALLY lucky to get on the property ladder before COVID hit, so my home doubled in value... but this is going to devastate young families who are looking to raise another generation of kids. I feel terrible for Gen Z.

[@princemc35]

Im 19, no home, no income. The only reason I'm alive after leaving the house is because of my extra ordinary luck that has kept me alive

[@chinngis83]

There's no margin for error. If people didn't have their act together in their early 20s - that could be a combination of poor mental health, not saving, spending too much - they realize they missed out on what previous generations had by age 30, a house and family.

[@Lydynthmn]

I feel so bad for young people and how hopeless everything looks. I had a hard adolescence but always clung to hope that someday things would be better.

[@FrankieDiazabraxas]

Honestly: Mazel tov. I'm glad for your great planning and good fortune! Now, To Life! To Life! L'Chaim!

[@Dragon228833]

Im 23 with a kid on the way in nyc. Wish me luck 😂😂😂

[@therealmcgoy4968]

The new American dream is to leave.

[@burningsnow9870]

Personally I wouldn't mind our leadership and ruling class getting a French haircut. At this point I'm just waiting for the shoe to drop

[@MS-ty8eq]

We never had any housing crisis until we had investors gobbling up half of our housing stock for short-term rentals. Airbnb has decimated the housing stock single-handedly. If it's outlawed you will see a lot more housing come back into stock

[@DanielEdwards-]

This video almost got there, it’s called wealth inequality. The wealth gap between the rich and everyone else is widening. The richest people in society are buying up all the assets like housing and renting it back to you, when you could have owned it outright. Rich corporations just keep jacking up the prices and giving the profits to shareholders or keeping it for themselves.

[@AlsadsajsAlsadsajs-vl7th]

When a person’s assets makes more money than they do at their job they’ll know freedom

[@DoomLord1395]

sound similar to the feudal system

[@Naesen]

>increase prices and profits to shareholders [at all costs] This is law by precedent ruling. Take a look at Dodge V. Ford if you wonder why every single publicly traded company operates in this way

[@briannerk3373]

Meanwhile, the top1% hoards around 50 Trillion $$$$ of net worth in the US.

[@briannerk3373]

Meanwhile, the top1% hoards around 50 Trillion $$$$ of net worth in the US.

[@rambodude467]

CEO to worker wage compensation ratio is 320 times now as compared to 20 times in 1980s . only way to live the dream is to start your own company and exploit your workers.

[@nietur]

just employ one person for 50k and then you make 16 million

[@iller3]

@@bwofficial1776 Bullshit, most CEO have been failing upwards lately. ...heavily subsidized by the FEDs Money Printers

[@ShaneAndersonProductions]

Workers voluntarily choosing to work for you is not exploitation. They have to option to switch jobs whenever they want.

[@ShaneAndersonProductions]

Real exploitation is large companies buying up all the houses, forcing prices up, and then leaving us no choice but to pay artificially inflated prices.

[@ForeverDownByLaw]

@@ShaneAndersonProductions Bullshit. Without universal healthcare most workers are slaves to their jobs. And, this is not an accident.

[@bf6159]

Some of us got a clue back in the 1990's, when Retirees started taking the jobs held by High Schoolers. Back then I stated, less than 6 figures will soon be working poor. Folks on both sides of this debate refuse to acknowledge many things. Years back, most I knew were several to a rental until mid 30's, making it easier to save. Society's conditioning has altered that reality into a dangerous situation. The dollar was worth more and Corp America, while very Authoritarian, needed employees. Today, laxadaisy and disposable human resources. Back then Corp America wasn't compiling residential properties into investment portfolios as they do today. And, the dollar was worth more. As I tried to explain to my mother prior to her death. This isn't the America she grew up in, back in the 1950s/60s. It's not even the America I grew up in, in the 70s/80s. You cannot utilize the same units of measure when both economically and socially in nearly every aspect, things are different. Although, some refuse to take off the blinders, they were told something as a kid and that's that, they were fortunate enough to live at the moment in time were such was attainable, thus they were capable of establishing a foundation. I'm Gen X and I was told around 14 years old, that I was part of the first generation which will make less than the generatiuon prior. The Boomers knew this by the 80's, yet many behave as though they can't understand. They don't want to understand because it provides a false sense of superiority and accomplishment. Been working since 14, enlisted with a waiver following the 10th grade. Earned a GED, went to College and University, worked multiple jobs at a time from 21 through 40's. Been everything from homless to home owner. While it can still be done, there is no apples to apples compairson. Fortunatey, folks today have finaly realized company loyalty is for wilfull human resources, not for humans trying to advance. It's all about the money, as inspired by Corp Americas planned obsolescence.

[@sunso1991]

after paying for my taxes this year, i wondered whats the total tax we pay. i included Federal/state/city tax, FICA, Social security, property tax, utility tax, phone tax, sales tax, exercise tax, and assumed a typical person lived pay check to pay check unable to save any money but not get into any debt to make a straight forward calculation. the grand total for someone making $100k living in Maryland is...... 51.6% total income goes to tax. knowing that, i asked my boss if i can hybrid work 2 day from home, work 5 hours less each week for a 15% paycut. they are happy to reduce salary/payroll burden. i am happy to spend more time doing fun things instead of working for gov/stuck in traffic

[@ronaldmcdonald9322]

Don't care at this point.

[@HowMoneyWorks]

That's pretty much the point Ronald McDonald.

[@ronaldmcdonald9322]

@@HowMoneyWorks sorry didn't watch the video yet, busy being a good wagecuck at my job. 🙂

[@spacemannick1251]

I agree with the mc clown

[@darkdestiny3700]

Same

[@shiningdragon8737]

He's McRight though

[@Rakadis]

The "American Dream" is working exactly as intended...

[@aRandomPerson...]

Capitalism moment

[@MoBurna]

Or maybe it's intended to be a unachievable one

[@JeganBedpal]

In light of the current economic trends indicating a potential downturn in the stock market and an impending recession, coupled with falling inflation rates, investors are advised to consider diversifying their portfolios. Exploring alternative assets such as gold and crypto trading would be a strategic move to hedge against the expected market volatility and inflationary pressures. This approach is crucial in navigating the complex financial landscape shaped by fluctuating Federal Reserve policies and the broader economic climate........Amidst this the insights of a knowledgeable guide like Kerrie Farrell can be crucial. Her expertise in navigating the nuances of cryptocurrency investments has been the key to understanding and making the most of these emerging financial trends...managed to grow a nest egg of around 4 b,tc to a decent 21 b,tc in the space of a few months...

[@TedStalets]

Investing with an expert is the best strategy for beginners and busy investors, as most failures and losses in investment usually happen when you invest without proper guidance. I'm speaking from experience...

[@PatchettStalls]

The fact that i got to learn and earn from her program is everything to me think about it, it's a win win for both ways...

[@CsokiBabi]

On the grand scheme of things, once you understand the potential of trad!ng, you can bet on it but I think people need the education to fully understand...

[@JasonGavino-dj6ze]

This is exactly what Big time investors are talking about, not just you. key thing here is to always trades with a good strategy even if the price goes up or down...

[@swayhulio]

Access to good information is what we investors needs to progress financially and generally in life. this is a good one and I appreciate..

[@sandermez3856]

feudalism used to be AWESOME. ppl loved the freedom to travel anywhere, work a bit on someone's land and have no responsibility in their youth. Buy a peasant home (they are huge) or just travel or save up and eventually become a lord of the land yourself! but then something happened.... Peasant's freedom to travel was limited. They became part of the land and essentially slaves, working and barely surviving. Those lucky enough to buy land and become lords became greedier and greedier, abusing the peasants. today, feudalism isn't seen as this awesome arrangement where lords fork up a lot, offer security and a life for those living on their estate. no. its synonymous with exploitation and abuse. Eventually revolts and riots happened and it all ended badly. the same thing is happening today with landlords and tenants and employers and employees!

[@KGBSpyGeorgeCostanza]

Oh it isn't dead, you just gotta be sleeping in a rich mattress full of money to see it It gets worse for what the high class calls, Peasants

[@Zieg_Games]

Or, hear me out, work in the trades. This includes high end tech jobs. Gender Studies degrees are dogshit.

[@HackersSun]

A guy who was talking to why he gave up his American citizenship had 7 houses in 7 countries He was a rich mfer and he was the problem

[@zaco-km3su]

It's dead. Quit the bs.

[@mikesteelheart]

When I was growing up in the 90's I remember seeing all the wealth my grandparents had thinking it would be great to acquire that someday. Little did I know 20 years later it would be more of a necessary starting point than end goal.

[@KGBSpyGeorgeCostanza]

@@zaco-km3su for the poor, it's always been dead, it's false hope and trying to make a corpse move

[@chadsmith1200]

I'm in my early 40's and do not own a house. Usually, women ask me if I own a house right away after matching on dating apps or meeting in person. When I tell them I don't, they unmatch or just walk away. So no house means no woman for me..

[@Awareness_With_Dennis]

Women want positions not a meaningful relationship

[@stephenh9905]

Wow one of the struggles with being a man. Honestly.

[@sumit4yt7]

One thing I find surprising is that how much of luxury Americans call as bare minimum standard of living and then complain about how they cannot afford it. It is true you cannot get a house less than 1 million in Bay Area but these are big luxury houses with backyards. However, they won't let you build small affordable apartments in the suburb. So either you have to drown yourself in debt or live homeless.

[@saltyBANDIT]

“Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.” Don’t you lie to me like that, youre not sorry at all.😊

[@RedPilledFit]

The new American Dream is getting your passport and moving overseas to greener and affordable pastures. That’s what I’m doing in October. Good riddance America.

[@nietur]

and other's dream is getting a green card xd

[@notsojharedtroll23]

​@@nietur yep

[@gtbkts]

Ngl, that's sounding nicer and nicer, every year. Find a good (management/high paying) job, and live like I'm high class. 😅

[@furTron]

@@nietur it its their dream, because they are still blinded by Hollywood movies and pop culture. Those people didn’t even invest 10 minutes to search and compare life quality in different countries.

[@SystemBD]

@nietur but when they get it and see the current situation, they'll try to get out as well. And if not them, their (subsidized) children will.

[@SaltLifeLady]

My husband and I achieved the American dream from a combo of hard work and luck. Luck, because we both were in the military able to purchase a home in 2011 on a VA loan, at a time when housing prices were bottomed out. Hard work because serving in the military was not easy, but helped both of us not have to have any student loans. We couldn’t afford kids until we were almost 30, and now our household income is around $110k/yr. But we live humbly, and that amount is enough to support two adults and two children, a mortgage, both our cars are paid off because we purchased them prior to 2022. Florida isn’t cheap to live, but we can also finally afford little $3,000 vacation where we couldn’t afford it for at least a decade before. All that being said, we feel blessed, but also empathetic to those who can’t help the part we got lucky for, that our home cost $143k. Adjusted for inflation, that’s $200k. That doesn’t exist anymore. 😢

[@flyboymb]

I feel like I've gotten darn close to it. I started out going into a career in Biology, but figured out that the whole field is based on "publish or perish" and that my wellbeing would always be based on my popularity with academic bigwigs and digging out some new idea to publish. Instead, I went into nursing. I'd make more as an RN than as an adjunct, and the field is understaffed enough that jobs are always available. I joined the military, opening up cheap home loans, health insurance, and extra income (National Guard). I'm living in a low cost of living state (Oklahoma) where you can live quite healthily if you aren't cramming fried butter and meth down your throat. Combine all these factors together, and I'm paying off a 215k 3 bedroom house. My wife is stay at home (due to epilepsy, not by choice) and we still have money to pay down debts. I'm climbing up the officer ranks on the military side, and I've gotten my nursing career to the point that I get paid full time to be on call 48 hours on the weekend. Now, before you take this as bragging, let me tell you the pitfalls. I earned my way into medical school, and was kicked out. I spent 17 years floundering in the lower NCO ranks. I didn't stay with a woman longer than a month. My success was half hard work and half luck. My wife was an LPN before her seizures got too bad. We were looking for an RN program at the local community college and found a 10 month program for people who already had a Bachelors. I got my Biology degree thanks to tuition waivors provided by the National Guard. The college I went to accepted me to a BSN program without a second thought because I graduated and used to work for them in my Biology days. That BSN allowed me to direct commission in the Air Force instead of continuing my deadend Army career. My weekend position only came about because I had filled in for the previous weekend nurse which unlocked a specific paycode that can no longer be given to employees that don't already have it. I'm the only one able to keep the rest of the nursing staff from rioting by being required to take call on the weekend. I only found my employer by chance after being gaslit and fired from my previous one. Said previous job had a travel nurse who was my current Chief Nurse in the Air Force. I know that I could lose a lot of this. I'm paranoid about it. I chose the military because they still do a pension and it would be political suicide for anybody to try to take that away. I hit 20 years in October, and then I'm locked in. Keeping my current rank for 6 months locks me in on that level of pay. I'm destroying as much debt as I can right now instead of relying on fickle markets. I'm assuming my employers will screw me over at this point. I really don't think it should be this difficult. I'm not rich or famous, but I think I've stumbled around life enough to find a way to retire in my 60's. I worked my butt off, but I'm in a happy place at 41.

[@Doood692]

A fruit based diet with regenerative herbs like Robert Morse nd teaches has helped people with seizures

[@__lim494]

You work hard and you seem to have a wonderful life in your own way. A life where you can draw happiness, if not perfect. Your success is wonderful, even though the comments section is filled with despair. I wish you and your wife full of happiness.

[@Corndogg316]

Having children is free?? Not sure what you’re talking about there brah. Just the delivery costs thousands of dollars. Which is free in every other civilized country

[@user-gz4ve8mw9l]

People in the USA spend 6 to 8 figures on wealthcare by the time they've finished existing.

[@johnnydied9563]

I spoke to a person who says his parents are like doctors or something (I think), but he said it costs like $80,000 for the delivery I believe.

[@kendallevans4079]

Insurance covers delivery

[@1whospeaks]

If I was playing a video game where the more gold I made the more expensive all the upgrades got, and the upgrades I can afford end up making my character weaker, I'd ask steam for a refund and renounce my worldly posessions to live overseas too.

[@AlsadsajsAlsadsajs-vl7th]

Or just fire your accountant and get a new one. Taxes go down as wealth and income go up in Amerca.

[@1whospeaks]

@AlsadsajsAlsadsajs-vl7th Exactly NOT how taxes work, unless you tie up all your liquid money in assets in order to duck taxes by using loans, which places more stress on the credit payments of the other customers, you know, the people living paycheck to paycheck using credit cards to buy food. If you say "F the banks!" You think billion dollar banks will roll over and take the beating? No, they'll pass the losses onto the poor and destitute. Their insurance premiums go up. So do their interest rates. The become more and more homeless. They skip meals. They sleep on the streets in winter. Of course if you have no morals life does get easier as you get wealthier, because it gets easier and easier to unknowingly and indiscriminately step on the weak and powerless. Honest work used to buy you multiple houses, and now it doesn't. Your point about being wealthy is moot, because most people arent so sociopathic that theyll sacrifice watching their children grow up and their soul for money. People need to stop defending wealthy people thinking they'll be wealthy themselves in the future.

[@Novastar.SaberCombat]

One must be wealthy in order to become financially free. Just be rich. If you can't become rich, then get wealthy. Boom; problems solved. 💪😎✌️

[@Rebecca-bq4ez]

@@AlsadsajsAlsadsajs-vl7th not true

[@dustinb4286]

There's an important distinction here that HMW doesn't make. "The American Dream" is that there's no cap to what you can do and no cap to what you can achieve. You can do what you want. THAT is the American Dream - freedom and autonomy. In reference to the "luxury child" idea: In my area, if there was a daycare that opened charging $500 a month per child - they would DESTROY the competition. Low cost day care would be huge, there's just nobody doing it because they "can get more".

[@joeblack3878]

I have an MBA, great career, earn over 200k annually, have a 401k, I’m married, have a mortgage sub 2.5%, two cars (one being for the kids), send them to private school… And, lemme tell you… I’m one sickness away from poverty. That’s my reality. I have to wake up and contribute every day or else life would fall apart for everyone around me…. That’s a heavy responsibility…

[@badass6300]

It's not even supply and demand. It's companies buying out homes or straight up building them and then price fixing based on what loan two median salaries can give you for the median home... Loans and public stocks need to go. Edit: My country went from 11 million population to 6 million population from the year 1990 to 2023, in that time we have built 3-4x more homes than there were in 1990. Yet the median home(which went down from 74m^2 to 48-51m^2) used to cost 2-3x individual median salaries, but now it costs 9-12x individual median salaries. So we have 3x more homes for almost 2x fewer people while the prices have gone 4x up. If it was supply and demand they'd be 8x cheaper than 30-35 years ago. Edit: Oh yeah and now the majority of homes are owned and built by private companies, private companies that are partly owned or heavily invested by politicians.

[@Syzygy_Bliss]

It’s even simpler than that. Wages just aren’t being forced to keep up with inflation because companies lobby to keep minimum wages low and to keep from being prosecuted for price gouging by oligopolies and in “investment” assets. The necessities are made more expensive while cheap junk is made less so as an illusion to depict affordability.

[@mystraunt2705]

If there werent so many damn hurdles to just build a ton more homes, and laws were made to keep companies from buying houses, we wouldnt be talking about any of this, as there would be no problem. Its so simple but the people in the government benefit from our suffering so nothing will ever change. Doesnt matter who you vote we are fucked

[@zUJ7EjVD]

It is supply and demand. It's always supply and demand. Supply is constrained by local laws.

[@WarningStrangerDanger]

​@@Syzygy_BlissThe minimum wage wouldn't even touch this problem. Most people aren't working minimum wage jobs. Wages did not keep up with inflation, and deflation is the answer. This terrifies Boomers on both wings. It would gut the value of their assets if we forced deflation, but these assets are only highly priced because of inflation.

[@badass6300]

@@mystraunt2705 The government working with private companies for their mutual benefit is also known as fascism, remove the private companies/property and it's communism. What it is not is capitalism nor socialism, because those are unrealistic ideologies that can't exist. Also they'd(the companies) buy out as many as needed. On top of that the government doesn't build houses, they hire private companies to build houses and they can charge whatever they want. Oh and yeah if voting mattered, we wouldn't be allowed to do it. XD

[@Igor-ge1py]

Home builders are making record profits. They used to make $50k profit on a cookie cutter house now they price them to make about $100k per house. Unfortunately many still use “supply chain issues” as an excuse for hiking the prices. Im all for capitalism and what not but a lot of these builders are not being honest about the price increases.

[@andreaslind6338]

Which is the rational thing to do under capitalism if you have a position of power.

[@andreaslind6338]

Which is the rational thing to do under capitalism if you have a position of power.

[@vincemartin5323]

Maybe you should get a job in the trades 😂 🤑

[@bwofficial1776]

So? If buyers weren't willing to pay it, they wouldn't sell. Don't blame the seller, they're just taking advantage of the market as is their right. If you can make money, why wouldn't you?

[@davida730]

@@bwofficial1776 A few different lawsuits are finally coming down the pipe because of collusion among these companies. Buyers are only willing to pay it because it's the only option and isn't really a capitalistic economy.

[@amandasunshine2]

I thought the American dream was if you worked hard enough, you could afford a house with a white picket fence, wife, 2.5 kids, and a dog.

[@rafadydkiemmacha7543]

The worst part of it all is that people got used to this absurd reality we live in. No matter how hard financially it is for most people, there is always this convenient excuse of "work harder". The blame is being pushed on people for not trying hard enough. It's disgusting, given that most of the essential professions make ridiculously low incomes comparing to the cost of living. I'm not sure if I have any hope for the better, because humanity loves to blame itself for clearly broken systems and greed of the elite.

[@seabreeze4559]

just world fallacy

[@trumptookthevaccine1679]

Work harder

[@LiveTilliDie]

We can't afford kids, financially it wouldn't be good for them or for us. It is so sad.

[@mystraunt2705]

Thats where Im at. I barely know who my parents are because they work so hard. I’ve literally dreamt of all the fun things Id do with my kids, building cardboard box forts and going to war, telling them stories Ive made up and give them illustrations every once and a while to show them what the characters look like and what not. But theres no way I can afford to have kids and raise them at the same time. I want better for my kids than what I had, and at the moment that seems impossible

[@gordontaylor2815]

When it becomes unaffordable for many people to have children, the system is planting the seeds of its own downfall. Eventually population, and thus demand for goods and services, will be constantly decreasing and the resulting deflationary pressure will cause the entire system to collapse under its own weight.

[@Nitzpitz]

Kids are not a luxury, they are a necessity for societies. Adjust your expectations, not your life choices.

[@nwatson2773]

@@gordontaylor2815 I say this often. I give the US empire another 100 years, give or take.

[@HealyHQ]

@@Nitzpitz screw society, society screwed us.

[@viceverse11]

You can still attain The American Dream. It has just been shipped overseas like everything else.

[@garethbuckeridge6910]

Well it ain't here in the UK either and watching various vlogs, I'm not sure which parts of Europe it exists in nowadays?

[@pritapp788]

In your dreams yes, in reality the forces that make such a dream unattainable are at play everywhere else. Concentration of wealth in a tiny few who then lord it over the rest, income work rendered meaningless by absurd taxation.

[@alanj9978]

It hasn't existed in most of Europe for centuries. That's why our ancestors moved to North America, so they could actually own property.

[@TheNaldiin]

I suspect they're advocating for life style arbitrage somewhere where your currency goes further, like parts of South America or South East Asia.

[@junyaiwase]

Doesnt sound so American does it?

[@dogetaxes8893]

I’d say the biggest factors that allowed the “American dream” was every advanced countries manufacturing outside of Americas being destroyed from WW2, the Cold War economic model, years of suppressed demand from the depression, income inequality lowered by a WW2/depression and lastly asset prices being suppressed for so long so housing was cheap. Having an unskilled single worker (male breadwinner) supporting an entire family while affording a house was an economic abnormality which took 2 world wars, depression and Cold War to occur. This is not the norm and shouldn’t be seen as the norm.

[@CDeuce152]

Breaking away from an established tradition is not a norm, it's a cure to an over established practice.

[@jasonlib1996]

The american dream exists buy you paying into it. The reason everything is getting more expensive, whilst wages remain well below inflation is because more and more of that money is being funnelled upwards to the already wealthy, its just being consolidated. Homes arent increasing in price because of supply and demand, they're increasing because they're being bought as assets instead of as home, when one company owns half the rental market in your city, they can set whatever price they want and their competitors with just follow suit and increase as well to not miss out on that extra money. Meanwhile, you as a person who needs a place to live have no choice but to pay the insane rates they charge or be homeless. theres nothing you can do about it

[@bwofficial1776]

There is something you can do about it: stop being poor. Opportunities abound, seize them instead of complaining "woe is me." Own some of those rental houses. Make money.

[@Talon97]

@@bwofficial1776 Boomerist mindset...

[@FoolyCharged]

​@bwofficial1776 Is your argument literally "can't buy one home? Then just buy two homes, dummy." Because, uh, there's a wee bit of a gap in that there logic.

[@seabreeze4559]

a monopoly, end REITs and ban unearned income (buy to let ponzi)

[@seabreeze4559]

@@bwofficial1776 STOP BEING POOR? PARIS HILTON, IS THAT YOU?

[@jeffc1347]

I seriously think cities like Detroit and Memphis are going to boom over the next few decades for no other reason other than people want to live in cities with all the entertainment and amenities, but can't afford to live anywhere else.

[@bernadetten.8751]

Memphis and Detroit used to be great cities.

[@GodlyAwesome]

Detroit's prices are fucked since all the big companies are buying homes and land there

[@narcoleptic8938]

As a 27 year old with a wife and kids you can do it. But you're not going to have an expensive wedding, you're not going to have a massive home, you're not going to drive a nice car, you're not going to go in expensive trips, you're not going to make elaborate meals every single night, you're not going to get to spend a lot of time with your kids, you're not going to enjoy 90% of it. But every day I come home and see my wife and my kids say "I love you daddy" makes it all worth it. Life has never been easy, but if you want something you can make it happen, but.. YOU ARE GOING TO SACRIFICE.

[@ericwall872]

It’s not really feeding the child, or birthing the child that breaks us. It’s the wanting a third child, but can’t afford to move out of our $300,000 2- bedroom condo to a $600,000 3-bedroom home. That’s what makes having children expensive.

[@fabledreamor]

When houses become a commodity, you have a tulip-mania economy.

[@grimaffiliations3671]

land value tax!

[@SmartChannel01]

Except it probably won’t go down

[@vylbird8014]

When houses become a commodity, a lot of people have an incentive to keep prices rising.

[@evilds3261]

@@vylbird8014 Now if only workers would keep the price for their labour rising to offset this dynamic.

[@qrzone8167]

@@evilds3261 Except it won't. What's hilarious is that as time goes on, productivity always rises and things become easier to make. In theory that means you should get more bang for your buck no matter what inflation does. However under capitalism that extra productivity is always siphoned to the very top and only when the owners are held at gun point by either competition or labor organizations do they finally relent and stop hoarding wealth. This is the inherent flaw of the system, simply no incentive to do the right thing unless you have good morals, and people who have good morals don't make it to the top.

[@Mocktailmetal]

Something's not correct about this video, the youtuber of this video is talking about the digital nomads who are in IT, tech sectors. Last time when I checked, all the IT, tech companies are calling people back to office, and whoever is defying is getting boot! Also, the percentage of these 'digital nomads' are very low to almost nullable/negligible compared to rest of population. Most of core industry people still have to go to work to see how machining/fabrication of part is working.

[@dkail08]

The video almost entirely is taking fringe examples and making poor comparisons in order to fit the common narrative of the youth being screwed. The reality is that everyone is screwed right now 😂 Just wait ten years. It'll be fine.

[@reinaldomartinez13]

​@@dkail08how? By magic? Youth is definitely being screwed over the most.

[@solracer66]

My company isn't, they went as far as selling our office building. Most non-IT workers have been called back but for IT it's all remote work or outsourced to a third party.

[@MysticGohanVegeta]

@@GothamsFinestdang that comment just hit me like a bus

[@shosetsuninja3112]

You don't have to work for a big company. You can collaborate with people all over the world and build things on your own now.

[@gdubaz]

I asked ChatGPT to compose the most nonsensical, illogical and childish essay possible on the current economic state, and it generated this exact script. Anyway,the whole concept of “Digital Nomads” who eschew their parents generation’s goals and choose to live an ungrounded life “traveling the world” is nothing new. It’s been around for about a century now. They used to go by the term “hobos”. They traveled around hopping rides on freight trains, picking up odd jobs whever they could find someone that would pay them and not ask too many questions. Same thing.

[@VBoo459]

I'm constantly having to justify to my parents why hubby and I are not buying a house right now. We REFUSE to live under constant anxiety of morgage payments and only survive until "retirement" age to actually enjoy this 1 life that we have. f*** that. No debt, good savings and investments, no problems. We want children, health and happiness, we DON'T need to own our home or own anything for that matter. This existence isn't all about owning nor should it be (and I'm fine throwing money down the drain in rent, because its not going down the drain on interest and my "deposit" money is actually working to make much more money).

[@gb4939]

Totally understand. I never accepted to take a morgage for anything. And I highly prefer to throw money in a rent than in a morgage payment. To my eyes, having no debt is always being a step closer to freedom.

[@MuMTcT]

So the question should be, why haven't wages kept up with inflation? How do we, the average people pry our hard earned money out of the hands of the corporations and government?

[@Novastar.SaberCombat]

You don't. Without coin, connections, crews, clout, computer code, control, corrupt communities, and shady opportunities... ya got NOTHIN'. No power, no resources, no influence. That's the 99%; the nothing-burgers.

[@martinlutherkingjr.5582]

You don’t want their money, you want real money - Bitcoin. They’re running a ponzi scheme called the US dollar.

[@MrSteeDoo]

Because the CEOs and rich investors have taken a bigger share. They make the rules.

[@Rebecca-bq4ez]

raising wages causes more inflation not less

[@esotericcommonsense6366]

Surely this will lead to a long and stable civilization

[@thebadassofthewest6022]

You should start prepping if you haven’t already.

[@Novastar.SaberCombat]

The wealthy will eventually shift everything over to A.I. and watch from on-high as the 99% (the poor and destitute) d13 of starvation, thirst, lack of healthcare, no home, no work, and no money. At that point, society will be "utopian", but only at the cost of... well... the 99%.

[@CivilizedWasteland]

109 times!

[@HealyHQ]

When in Rome... oh, yeah, whatever happened to that place anyway? 😏

[@Rando-hg7uu]

Good day Mr Bogdanoff is everything going according to plan?

[@user-vr5fi8kj4y]

I make 87k and have 2 kids and live in a small suburban home in the midwest. Lifestyle expectations influenced by tiktok and instagram are unrealistic. Stop buying shit you don't need, with money you don't have, to impress people you don't like. If you truly want kids make concessions and you'll be just fine.

[@seabreeze4559]

oh look a fight club quote, truly you must be an avant garde thinker

[@martinlutherkingjr.5582]

And stop eating steak, it’s too expensive, just eat dog food.

[@user-vr5fi8kj4y]

@@seabreeze4559 its also a dave ramsey quote and many other people use it. Whats your point? It's a universal opinion.

[@MrSteeDoo]

You have it exactly right. Expectations are too high.

[@MrSteeDoo]

@@seabreeze4559 So being an "avant garde thinker" is what is needed?

[@benkromphardt1916]

Since nearly every product is marketed as a "luxury" item or experience, it's no surprise people get used to the idea. Remember when cars had radios, crank windows, and three dials for HVAC? Up-selling even base models as "luxury" bloats costs - what if a reasonably decent new car cost you $15k? What if that same principle was applied to nearly everything else? (Luxury apartments? What about just apartments?)

[@DoolallyProductions]

I wanted to take a trip to England last year. By the time I added up everything it was going to be $6000...for one week. I've always wanted to go but that's just ridiculous. I took that money and paid off my car instead.

[@Hans_Peterson]

You’re doing something wrong…. I’m going to Europe for two weeks this summer for about 3k

[@andre1987eph]

Smooth move! Hopefully you have a Japan or Korea car and change oil every 5k miles

[@cameroncook2048]

$6000 is twice the UK monthly salary! You've clearly done something wrong. As a Brit, I can't think of how to spend $6000 on a holiday here that doesn't involve 5* hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants

[@DoolallyProductions]

@@cameroncook2048 Most of it was transportation and lodging, none 5*. It was just bad timing and a couple things were driving the price up unfortunately.

[@seabreeze4559]

It sucks here don't bother. The castles are kinda nice that's it. London is full of shops you can get at home plus thieves with weapons.

[@dabluflcn]

Countries could do any number of things to address and fix this to avoid a collapse in the not too distant future, but they’re so determined to keep things the same and have their cake while eating it too that nothing will change until it’s too late to sustain the ouroboros we currently live in. I like being able to turn the phrase to the rich “let them eat cake”

[@AlexsGoogleAccount]

At this point, my assumption is that the situation will get worse and worse until a sufficiently large % of the population is crushed and a collapse is happening. And then things might finally be addressed. My shot to be where I want in life is to be doing just slightly better than that % who gets crushed so that when things get better, I'll benefit from it. It's a dark, morbid way to view the world, but what else can you do than to try to do things right and pray that you make it through?

[@pritapp788]

​@@AlexsGoogleAccountalready happening with lower and middle classes who are first hit by lower marriage rates and lower birth rates. Which will have ripple effects on everything else. The wealthy asset owners want others to deliver more babies (i.e. Future labour) for them after doing all they can to starve these people from a present and future.

[@andrewwebster4348]

37 here. I have a house. Bought it before the rates went up. The only way I could do it was by not having a new car payment. I'm still driving a 2012 Subaru Outback. I think historically, the middle class never had more than one new car. If it had a second car, it was clunker. Usually both cars were used. The idea of owning a large home and two new cars was only achievable for a short window of time. A window that has now closed.

[@artvandalay6216]

My wife and I have lived in the same house for twenty two years. We saved and paid it off early. Lots of my colleagues kept buying bigger houses commensurate with their increasing incomes. Now they’re still paying and will be doing so for years, just to live in a house with more rooms that they never go into. Life is about choices.

[@artvandalay6216]

Also, the average house in the 50s, 60s, and 70s was a lot smaller and more modest than the mini-mansions most “middle class” families live in today.

[@lolbored801]

And lots of luck...

[@artvandalay6216]

@@lolbored801 yep, and none of us can control chance or fate. The quicker you learn to accept that fact, the happier you’ll be.

[@Nitzpitz]

Exactly, people need to adjust expectations not life choices

[@GreySergal]

Yeah i chose to be born in the worst part of the state, where there were no options, and a lot of at the end undiagnosed mental illness. I should have worked for more than 60 hours a week. I'm just lazy

[@thehogus]

Well it's a dream right? Not a reality.

[@thomasj3421]

The American dream is leaving America. I know a ton of people that left or planning to leave.

[@mystraunt2705]

And go where? Its bad here, but its worse in most other places? Housing is even more expensive in the Uk and about double the price in canada. Where are yall moving?

[@Talon97]

@@mystraunt2705 Nunya business that's where...

[@thetapheonix]

@@mystraunt2705It’s a cheaper cost of living most places in the world.

[@HealyHQ]

Spain looking pretty good right about now.

[@rodeaglerod2715]

American here, and I wish I could return back to the USA, but its just so expensive, where I live, job covers private healthcare, government pays part of my mortgage, I also have government health care, own a house with private security, my wife doesn't have to work, If I would move back to the USA I would be living in a trailer park or paying half my income in in rent just so I can say I live in the US and would have to slave up with wife also working just to afford rent, healthcare payments, car insurance. USA needs reforms ASAP, I miss the 90s.

[@ROMANTIKILLER2]

One issue that is not being addressed in this video is when enough "digital nomads" with US salaries move to cheaper country to work remotely, they quickly unwillingly destroy the local ecosystem, as their comparatively high income eventually drives up prices in those areas, especially housing, thus making life unaffordable for locals with their far lower salaries.

[@stevenrowlandson9650]

Real estate prices need to be ruthlessly regulated and indexed to 3 years pay at minimum wage as a maximum price limit and based on one income.

[@belangp]

"The American Dream" has changed. I remember my both sets of my grandparents had a modest home (less than 1800 sq. ft. and less than a quarter acre of land) and they had one car. An expensive vacation for them was driving an hour away and renting a spot at the shore for a few days. And this was later in life (after the period of time when it is natural to scrimp and save and sacrifice). They were perfectly content. All this talk about "The American Dream being dead" seems to be based upon expectations that were never realistic for the average person. The median home size has increased by more than 100% since 1980. On top of that families now aspire to have 2 cars (and sometimes even more). Add in vacations that require air travel and you have a dream that would seem pretty extravagant to those who were a couple of generations before us.

[@Alex090]

"You shall own nothing, und be happy".

[@gdj777]

While eating ze bug

[@Gnomezonbacon]

@@gdj777 und pegging ze plastic robot.

[@princemc35]

Im chilling right now

[@fuckshit8208]

This partial quote is really starting to get annoying.

[@evilds3261]

If they can overcharge us, we can overcharge them. We do own something they can never take from us - our labour. We choose to give it to them, otherwise we could all just lay around doing nothing. Power is controlling access to a resource - you can use people's expectations of you as leverage, as a bargainning chip, that if they expect those to be met, certain conditions must also be met or else the deal is off.

[@dovakeen1179]

The American dream was the idea that a Puritan and a catholic could live across from each other and not kill eachother. The house and white picket fence was a commodity version, just as diamond rings became the symbol of marriage.

[@afrivox]

Really? Thought the American dream was really a reference to personal success....and in particularly economic success. 😂

[@zaco-km3su]

No, don't lie. It was about having a better life.

[@vylbird8014]

I understand it was supposed to be upwards socioeconomic mobility. America was supposed to be (and is, on paper) a society with no rigid class system. There's no titled nobility - the constitution expressly forbids it. The dream is that even the poorest immigrant or child of poverty can, with hard work and talent, earn their way to wealth and comfort. There's no formal nobility, but rich and well-connected parents still count for a lot.

[@seabreeze4559]

diamond is a roman symbol of love so nah

[@the_bush_family]

32, own two homes (both investment properties), single W2 income north of $100k, wife, 1 kid and 1 on the way. Only way we got here was literally working 3 jobs each for 2 years straight to pay off $125k worth of cars, student loans etc. to become debt free. Then that money started going into the investments and properties we have today. Sounds glamorous, but with how expensive everything has gotten, we wouldve thought we'd be WAY further along, but it feels simply 'comfortable' (which is still a blessing of course).

[@fsdfgasgfisd]

Wealth inequality has now made basic human reproduction unaffordable, that's wild.

[@Athena1592]

Am I the only one that's getting tired of these sponsorship drops? Just rips me out of the video.

[@CharlyCD93]

Food, water and utilities are basic necessities that we need daily and require a infrastructure/supply chain. On the other hand housing once the building is up will last decades but people abuse real estate to extract as much money as possible from other people.

[@evilds3261]

Once the price of food goes up way too high, child poverty rates in the USA will go down.

[@GreySergal]

Because people don't want to view housing as a right, then people abuse it. But you know they say water isn't a right too.

[@SF-fb6lv]

2:06 Look it up ("house price vs income by country"): In terms of home-price-to-income ratios, homes in the USA are relatively inexpensive compared with the rest of the world. Argentina is 21X income, Ethiopia is 43X income, The USA is near the BOTTOM of the list of how-many-times-annual-income-a-house-costs. Only Puerto Rico, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, and Oman are even EASIER to afford. Even in Egypt, it is FOUR TIMES as expensive for nationals to buy houses on their income.

[@kittendkat5100]

I take it this takes into account people making 6-8+ figure incomes, if that's the case then yeah.

[@Throarbin]

My main thing is that all these studies going into living a "comfortable" life always leads me to ask "what do you mean, 'comfortable'"? People are quick to point to people living out of a van in desperation but that's people living below the poverty line. What about the middle class? By appearances, the "comfortable" life includes living a lifestyle where you shop at more pricy convenience stores such as Whole Foods or Giant Eagle instead of the more affordable options found at say, a Kroger or Aldi. As for caring for children, I have to ask how they price what a child "costs." Are the parents buying brand new clothes for them every year from name brands or going to the local Goodwill or simply using hand-me-downs to cut down on costs? A single child can have a wildly different "cost" depending on how the parents shop and every child after the first will likely not be as expensive as the first as you'll already have some of the supplies needed after the first child.

[@Rebecca-bq4ez]

People want to at least be able to give their offspring what they themselves experienced as a child. If the outlook looks worse for their children, they figure why bother.

[@Iscream4j0y]

Can confirm, I save waaaay more money being a digital nomad than living in the US, got rid of almost all my possessions and living out of a suitcase while traveling abroad.

what is it exactly that you do?

[@Iscream4j0y]

Official job title is Software Architect, but I'm really just a regular software engineer, I work in the healthcare industry using web technologies like Javascript and PHP, also Rust, Go, and Java, as well as managing servers, databases, API integrations, dealing with customers, feature planning, etc. My job has always been remote, I went from New York, to Virginia, and now I've decided to become a perpetual expat, as long as I have a laptop and an ok internet connection, I'm solid. I've moved from developing pages and stuff to full on engineering, solving server load and connection issues, writing my own tools and microservices

[@Iscream4j0y]

My work gets tested by tens of thousands of users a day, just one of our clients will have 2k check ins in a day, and my stuff is used by both staff and patients, I'll get requests for features, and develop processes to make it happen, form builders, insurance handling, multi step check in processes, kiosk concepts, etc

[@trumptookthevaccine1679]

You’ll own nothing and be happy

[@thedude7319]

the digital nomad lifestyle will create what the wealthy class has done to the housing market in the usa. and once every country is infected by this flywheel effect. all roads are used up and the crumbling can start

[@OM-pu9yi]

Could you elaborate more my dear fella? It seems interesting

[@the_expidition427]

@@OM-pu9yi People from California moving to Nowheresville, Indiana

[@HammamHraesha]

@@OM-pu9yi Digital nomads inflate the housing market in host countries because their US salary is much greater than the average salary in the host country they've emigrated to. Having rich foreigners come to a country and inflate the housing market will make it very hard for local citizens to buy a house, so indirectly the digital nomads are doing to the host country they've emigrated to what the boomers have done to the nomads in the USA. An example of this is Portugal which was friendly to digital nomads and investors, however, this has led to a housing crisis where your average Portuguese citizen cannot afford a house in major cities because the salaries in Portugal are a fraction of what the United States. Imagine if a very rich country where its workers are paid over 4 times the average US salary started moving to the US and working remotely for the companies in their home country because housing in the US is cheaper than in their home country. You wouldn't like that, right? Unless your country's economy has no meaningful sectors to stand on its own, no one really wants digital nomads.

[@Vlad-bs1js]

@@the_expidition427 Or Europe. Look at what happened in Portugal

[@nietur]

@@Vlad-bs1js bet Portugal has better laws for more houses, so it'll be fine

[@dameazize]

I kind of question the “digital nomads priced out” idea. Not that there aren’t people like that, but a majority of remote jobs are things like tech and marketing that generally pay well above the average income. I think for most people, the digital nomad lifestyle is more a luxury than a necessity; a luxury of not having children, of having a flexible job, of being healthy enough to not have to worry about constant medical needs, if not having to take care of other people, and of having the resources to cover the financial and social cost of picking up your life and going

[@dcastnick7064]

cant believe how far down this comment is, not everyone works in tech and have the option of remote work.

[@Briluvr]

My wife and I saved up for a house, bought it, then had kids and now single income to continue to pay the mortgage. It's not easy but not impossible.

[@Lonovavir]

I'm reminded of the economically viable scene from Falling Down. If you fall behind, you'll be left behind. Hopefully you won't be forgotten.

[@elrondes1]

What even is this title? If most middle class Americans can't afford it, then it is dead. This is like saying "winning the lottery isn't impossible, you just won't get lucky".

[@jaredkennedy6576]

This whole situation pisses me off to no end, mostly because I had it. Six figure income, home ownership at an affordable rate, improved quality of life, and family vacations. Then my wife decided I was an asshole for controlling the family finances, filed for divorce, lost the house and truck despite getting $3k+ per month from me and her own $45k+ income, and has ruined my credit to the point that bankruptcy is starting to look like a good option. She was why I had taken finances back over, when she managed them it was constant chaos, utilities getting shut off, evictions, and crap cars, with absolutely nothing to show for my 60+ hour a week work.

[@halukgul]

damn homie i feel you. thanks for sharing your story. experiences like this at least help others not go through this bullshit. hope things get better.

[@pritapp788]

Be careful, people here will take issue with your story and tell you marriage is the first step to living the dream. Female oversight of finances is indeed a major reason why I intend to stay well clear of marriage.

[@kevangrenda7746]

On my way there: 30yo girlfriend doesn't cook, minimally cleans, and gets agitated when doing the dishes... but thinks she'll be a good mom. 🙄

[@jaredkennedy6576]

@@kevangrenda7746 Get out while you can. They don't change on a fundamental level like that. She isn't going to wake up tomorrow and say "I'm really looking forward to washing dishes and doing laundry". I doubt you'll find anyone like that, but I hope you get my point. Things will only be worse with a tired mother and kid/s running around. Take some time to figure yourself out, make sure you know how to take care of yourself and be a functional adult, then invite another functional adult into your life.

[@roguered706]

​@@pritapp788My ex had the same misogynist ideas about women and finances as you guys. And yet, in the 3 years since my husband and I got divorced I've saved $100k for retirement and gotten multiple raises, while my ex husband (who is almost 50) makes 2/3 of what I do and will never be able retire. And no, I get zero financial support from him. In face, he still owes me for half the equity in our home. Making broad generalizations about one gender just shows a level of ignorance and sexism that is probably why women don't want to be with you.

[@frequentlycynical642]

Part of the problem is housing expectations coupled with certain land and development realities. My parents paid cash, saved during WWII, for our new home in 1948. No drapes, no flooring, but they owned that 3 (small) bedroom, 1 bath house free and clear. My ex and I bought a 925 sf house, 2 bedrooms, 1 bath with full basement for $21,000 in 1974, built in 1926. Our neighbor had the same house and raised six kids in it! In the 1970's average house size was 1500 sf. The house we moved into in FL in 1959 was the largest in the post war neighbohood: 1600 sf. My house was built in 1974, 1164sf, 4 smallish bedrooms, 2 full baths. Today's average house size is 2400 sf, so right there you have a huge inflationary multiplier if the cost of construction was constant. But costs per sf have actually declined. It is the LAND that has gone up so much. As Will Rogers said 90 years ago, "They ain't making no more of it." So let's say someone is willing to live in an old home with fewer amenities. In many cities, those homes have been razed to build big modern houses. And sometimes, even if you can find such housing, middle income educated people many not want to live in that neighborhood. Crime, schools. The old neighborhood I lived in in Denver decades ago was the hood. Now, when I've visited, new homes on what were vacant lots, others taking the place of old ones scraped off. And Yuppie mama's pushing strollers where once there were drive by shootings.

[@nwatson2773]

That was over 50 years ago! Apples and oranges.

[@frequentlycynical642]

@@nwatson2773 As I succinctly pointed out what has changed.

[@tektak2400]

​@@nwatson2773 The point is to show what the idea of an American Dream meant, originally.

[@unconventionalideas5683]

3:46 The stock market is incredibly stagnant outside of AI. AI is just propping it up, and that will _not_ last. AKA: the stock market is actually not to hot right now. Also, food prices are really low by historical standards. In 1950, the average US household spent more money on groceries than housing, and the spending on housing, while lower, was still one of the largest expenses. Yet still, more than a quarter of income in those days went to food. Let that sink in. Groceries are also levelling off, while car prices are actually declining a lot, too. That means that certain things are easier. Still, the suburban dream was never financially sustainable; Strong Towns has some good information on that.

[@JustinLewis7326]

Market is still down from 2021 in real terms