Your take on what our (society) future looks like...

[Defiantly_Not_Bender]

Personally, I see it less as an insult and more of proof that boomers just can't banter over the internet with the younger crowd. I've noticed that the average boomer on the internet has skin that is thinner than a nanometer. They feel they're entitled to trash talk anyone they want in the younger generation, but the second the trash talk gets reversed, they run and cry to the admins complaining about they aren't being respected. Fuck off! Both respect and disrespect have to be earned and not given away like some faggy participation trophy. The amount of entitlement they feel they deserve is so far off the charts it almost seems like a shitty SNL skit.

Anyways, the "mom's basement" thing obviously doesn't apply to me because I moved out of my parent's house when I was 17, but I would much rather be known as a mom's basement dwelling millennial than a thin skinned boomer who gets their feelings hurt by random strangers on the fucking internet!

Watch out, you’ll get a reply from a boomer proud that he will give his money to live in a “nice” rest home owned by blackrock. The hubris to the end.

 

[Defiantly_Not_Bender]

5 years ago I thought I might retire at 55. Now that I am 55, I wonder if I will be able to retire at 60. The money you saved is worth 1/2 of what is was a few years ago. If you use gold as a realistic track of inflation, 50% is about from mid-2022 until now. (CPI is a joke of a measure). That period is pretty selective for gold, but five years is a pretty justifiable period for your dollar to be worth 50% of what is was.

The corporations buying up single family homes is real. When insurance companies couldn’t get yield from bonds during low interest rates, they invested billions in these ventures (I know first hand). It made sense, but we are seeing the downside of it.

I’m 47. I decided in high school that I’ll never retire. Inflation will never allow it. “Just work harder!” Says the tone deaf boomers. In 1970, minimum wage had the same buying power as $180,000 a year does now. So fuck right off boomers with the boot-strap talk. You’re all literally retarded.

 

[doubloon]

I’m 47. I decided in high school that I’ll never retire. Inflation will never allow it. “Just work harder!” Says the tone deaf boomers. In 1970, minimum wage had the same buying power as $180,000 a year does now. So fuck right off boomers with the boot-strap talk. You’re all literally retarded.

I'm 70+, haven't retired yet.

Minimum Wage Has Never Been $66/hr

5/18/2025 (Transcript of my TikTok Video) This week’s viral economic claim: We would need a $66/hour minimum wage to keep up with the purchasing power from the 1970’s. Here and Here. Of…

econchrisclarke.wordpress.com

 

[Thumper580]

I have a few life time friends [i am 72] that i look at and say to myself what was their plan for retirement . We worked very hard and made good money but many of them just blew through the money chasing skirts ,drinks and lines of dope and now they live SS check to check . I came from a broken home and did not like being poor so i learned to save and invest but mostly not waste money . I am at my status I guess because of luck/chance/good decisions [ in any order] and yes i did pull myself up with my work boot straps along with good wives [3rd] .

Few people plan to fail...., however many people fail to plan...for the future, retirement, etc. I agree a lot of people made decent income, but pissed every nickel away as fast as possible..... Then ask "how come I'm broke"?. I was never a financial genius, but I was always scared shitless about ending up poor... As a result we are debt free, retired and comfortable.

 

[Thunderkok]

You know what the bitch of inflation is that is never talked about? Let’s say your stock investments have doubled over the past five years to keep up with real inflation. When you sell, you pay capital gains tax based on the dollars invested. It totally ignores what you would need for the same buying power.

 

[Edsel]

I’m in a good situation. Not a single thing in my life is as a result of “luck” or “good fortune.” I was jumping out of airplanes at 17, after an early graduation, and used my GI Bill to get educated.
I busted my ass, I planned and laid out a course with a destination in mind (honest work, doing good and an early retirement, comfortable easy living). I hunt when I want, live where I want go to or have whatever I want. Nice home, good woman, plenty of ducats and lots of hedge between me and the frightful world. Not a single thing was luck. Most men who are men are able to achieve that. Race, position in life at the start, education, physical handicaps, none of that really gets in the way when one is determined and thoughtful. Those are excuses.

There are many things in the path of life that could have derailed your fortune that you have no control over the luck /chance.

I’m in my mid 70’s. Nothing happening now is a tragedy. And I overcame every single obstacle. I retired fully at age 55. Been on vacation ever since.

70?

Are you kidding me?

I'm much older than you and recognize that It's not over until you're six feet under.

It’s all hunky - dory until something like cancer pops up.

A little humility and gratitude for your good fortune is a good thing.

 

[Defiantly_Not_Bender]

I'm 70+, haven't retired yet.

Minimum Wage Has Never Been $66/hr

5/18/2025 (Transcript of my TikTok Video) This week’s viral economic claim: We would need a $66/hour minimum wage to keep up with the purchasing power from the 1970’s. Here and Here. Of…

econchrisclarke.wordpress.com

You prove how retarded you are with this statement.

 

[doubloon]

You prove how retarded you are with this statement.

Thanks!

Don't have enough hobbies to fill al the free time.

 

[LuckyLuke80]

Op, start an only fans and I’m sure a few on here will support you and the rest of us will pay you to NOT see your videos.

 

[Defiantly_Not_Bender]

I'm 70+, haven't retired yet.

Minimum Wage Has Never Been $66/hr

5/18/2025 (Transcript of my TikTok Video) This week’s viral economic claim: We would need a $66/hour minimum wage to keep up with the purchasing power from the 1970’s. Here and Here. Of…

econchrisclarke.wordpress.com

Ok I was being generous. My math was off. Not $180k a year.

It’s $320,840 a year.

 

[ColinW]

I'm just waiting for the next manufactured disaster & crisis. Part of me believes 9/11 was a coordinated effort and demolition to, in some format, weaken the strongest nation on earth. Why the "World Trade Center"? Well, the answer to that lies in the building titles themselves. International trade to weaken the dollar as reigning world currency. Perhaps I'm wrong on that one. God only knows.

However, I can say for statement of fact, the worlds politicians are doing "The Great Work" (IYKYK ) to destroy the U.S dollar and by doing so, bring America down to its knees financially in order to create a world governance and singular world currency. I'll probably get banned by some foxtrot on here for saying this......But, this little fact of world governance and global currency goes into biblical teachings. The world stage is set and the technology is here for it to happen. *edit Crypto currency, anyone?

The Beast is rising up and about to report in for work here shortly, IMO. There just needs to be an incredibly large manufactured crisis for it to happen.

 

[ironpony52]

I'm just waiting for the next manufactured disaster & crisis. Part of me believes 9/11 was a coordinated effort and demolition to, in some format, weaken the strongest nation on earth. Why the "World Trade Center"? Well, the answer to that lies in the building titles themselves. International trade to weaken the dollar as reigning world currency. Perhaps I'm wrong on that one. God only knows.

However, I can say for statement of fact, the worlds politicians are doing "The Great Work" (IYKYK ) to destroy the U.S dollar and by doing so, bring America down to its knees financially in order to create a world governance and singular world currency. I'll probably get banned by some foxtrot on here for saying this......But, this little fact of world governance and global currency goes into biblical teachings. The world stage is set and the technology is here for it to happen.

The Beast is rising up and about to report in for work here shortly, IMO. There just needs to be an incredibly large manufactured crisis for it to happen.

Did you know there was more gold stored in the basement of the WTC than Fort Knox, where did it all go.
Did you know the buyer of the WTC had it insured and took the terrorist attach option

 

[101st 2.0]

View attachment 8753792

70?

Are you kidding me?

I'm much older than you and recognize that It's not over until you're six feet under.

It’s all hunky - dory until something like cancer pops up.

A little humility and gratitude for your good fortune is a good thing.

I'd say that's pretty good banter from some guy whose much older than 70.

 

[Edsel]

I'd say that's pretty good banter from some guy whose much older than 70.

Grandkids and Great - grandkids.

You’d be amazed.

I am a “biologically successful male” with high - achieving progeny.

 

[Thunderkok]

Did you know there was more gold stored in the basement of the WTC than Fort Knox, where did it all go.
Did you know the buyer of the WTC had it insured and took the terrorist attach option

And got paid twice. Once for each plane as independent events.

 

[doubloon]

View attachment 8753742


View attachment 8753746View attachment 8753747

Ok I was being generous. My math was off. Not $180k a year.

It’s $320,840 a year.

Now do it in loaves of sunbeam bread. Cost of "living" not cost of "bling" and "grilles".

We dropped the gold standard a long time ago.

 

[ColinW]

Did you know there was more gold stored in the basement of the WTC than Fort Knox, where did it all go.
Did you know the buyer of the WTC had it insured and took the terrorist attach option

I'm not surprised. I'll stand by my belief that it was a coordinated effort to destroy on purpose. I would think buildings that massive don't just crumble with topside damage. But, i'm no civil or structural engineer. So, wtf do I know? Jack shit. But, i stand by my opinion. Same goes for the moon landing too. A big NOPE!

 

[Camelfilter]

I'm not surprised. I'll stand by my belief that it was a coordinated effort to destroy on purpose. I would think buildings that massive don't just crumble with topside damage. But, i'm no civil or structural engineer. So, wtf do I know? Jack shit. But, i stand by my opinion. Same goes for the moon landing too. A big NOPE!

 

[Thunderkok]

“Moon landing”

 

[Thunderkok]

This one will put you on another list.

 

[widefat77]

And nobody will remember you’re even there.

ho lee fuk, that's mean.

 

[widefat77]

I’m 47. I decided in high school that I’ll never retire. Inflation will never allow it. “Just work harder!” Says the tone deaf boomers. In 1970, minimum wage had the same buying power as $180,000 a year does now. So fuck right off boomers with the boot-strap talk. You’re all literally retarded.

I am a 'late boomer'. I used to believe and regurgitate the "just work harder' philosophy - I'm sorry I did. I finally realized how difficult is now to build wealth by simply working hard. Yeah, I have mine, but the deck is now stacked radically against anyone not born wealthy. If I followed the same path 'now' that I followed 'then' I would most likely be renting an apartment and have no hope of ever retiring.

 

[sloporsche]

I am a 'late boomer'. I used to believe and regurgitate the "just work harder' philosophy - I'm sorry I did. I finally realized how difficult is now to build wealth by simply working hard. Yeah, I have mine, but the deck is now stacked radically against anyone not born wealthy. If I followed the same path 'now' that I followed 'then' I would most likely be renting an apartment and have no hope of ever retiring.

All the hard work can be for naught if one doesn't manage their assets wisely

 

[BuildingConceptsllc]

We should stop the hedge funds buying single family homes. That said, the only thing wrong with housing is that we had zero percent rates for a while and then printed a ton of money causing mass inflation. This is horrible thing to do. We should never have super low rates but we were forced into it so to speak, by the rest of the world and the elite. Super low rates are very damaging for this reason. Who's going to sell a house at 2.5% to buy a much more expensive house (thanks inflation ) at a much higher rate? no one, unless they have to. This is why it will take a while to get out of it. More good jobs will help this a ton though.

Getting lots of foreigners who shouldn't be here out will help a lot too as many are taking good jobs and scamming the h1b system, but the main issue is the period of super low rates plus inflation.

 

[sloporsche]

We should stop the hedge funds buying single family homes. That said, the only thing wrong with housing is that we had zero percent rates for a while and then printed a ton of money causing mass inflation. This is horrible thing to do. We should never have super low rates but we were forced into it so to speak, by the rest of the world and the elite. Super low rates are very damaging for this reason. Who's going to sell a house at 2.5% to buy a much more expensive house (thanks inflation ) at a much higher rate? no one, unless they have to. This is why it will take a while to get out of it. More good jobs will help this a ton though.

Getting lots of foreigners who shouldn't be here out will help a lot too as many are taking good jobs and scamming the h1b system, but the main issue is the period of super low rates plus inflation.

We have bought/sold quite a few pieces of real estate both commercial and single family not once to/from a hedge fund

 

[BuildingConceptsllc]

We have bought/sold quite a few pieces of real estate both commercial and single family not once to/from a hedge fund

yeah I'm sure you have. I have built hundreds of homes and not once for a hedge fund. Be that as it may, it is a fact that hedge fund corps are buying single family homes by the thousands, as well as small businesses.

 

[Herb Stoner]

I’m 47. I decided in high school that I’ll never retire. Inflation will never allow it. “Just work harder!” Says the tone deaf boomers. In 1970, minimum wage had the same buying power as $180,000 a year does now. So fuck right off boomers with the boot-strap talk. You’re all literally retarded.

Not defending boomers but these numbers are overstated. Inflation adjusted minimum wage from 1970 ($1.60 / hr)is about $28,000 /yr. Minimum wage, now as then, isn’t going to get you anywhere.

Home prices adjusted for inflation are comparatively higher but once you start adjusting for square footage (the average single family home is quite a bit larger now), more modern features (central AC/heat, indoor laundry,etc) the gap closes quite a bit. I agree some neighborhoods have higher housing inflation so go somewhere else. Buying my first home at 24 was financially terrifying even though I had a prettty good down payment I’d saved. Nice place but not a “dream home”, by any means. But sucking it up for the first few years was a great move.

I know lots of young people who bought homes - far from impossible. My daughter and her husband bought thier first home in their mid 20s. It wasn’t much and they cashed out nicely after a few years and recently upgraded nicely to a newer home that is much more comfortable. I have two sisters in-law that are much younger than my wife and they both bought homes by the time they were around 30 - nice places with one on Oahu’s north short with a beautiful view. Just yesterday I visited a friends daughter in thier first home - nice place! All did it without anyone handing them the money. It’s choices - do you want a home or a bunch of other crap. Get out of debt. If you’re 40 and have a car payment because you don’t have enough to pay cash - you’re already in financial trouble.

As for investors buying homes it’s nothing new. I had a large insurance company client and worked on closing deals for them buying large, high-end hotels and resorts on the west coast back in the late 90s. They need to invest thier cash reserves somewhere. This has expanded to SF homes. Was at a lunch with the state chair of the Republican Party with 15-20 business owners. A lot of the chatter was many of them had formed LLCs and were buying up distressed SF homes. This was about 10 years ago and there were still areas with a lot of forclosures around here. Not a hard thing as they had cash and existing relationships with willing banks through their businesses.

 

[ironpony52]

So I was just reading on another forum about a guy buying several tractor implements, probably about 10k worth, it got me to thinking about this thread.
People bitch about not being able to afford stuff because of boomers, LOL. So if you look around the same demographic has 1k car/truck payments, a camper, a boat, a SXS, a ATV, goes on vacation 2-3 times a year, a bunch of high end guns............Maybe they should look in the mirror first.

 

[theLBC]

i'd be so much better off if i had just saved 10% of my take home pay my entire working life.
if i took home $500, pretty sure i could have figured out how to live on $450.
but noooooooooooooooo.

 

[Singuy]

Income inequality is mathematical inevitability. There's no way to stop compounding interest from wealth, and compounding interest from debt. You either planned and invested early to become wealthy, or you f-ed up beyond your means and become poorer.

There are two major problems that are preventing youth from becoming wealthy.

1. High level education. The lost from 4 years of opportunity cost and living off government loans for the same 4 years really just sets MOST young kids up for failure. Only 63% of these kids graduate after 5 years and the majority of their majors are just trash. Instead of compounding your earnings from a young age of 18, you decided to have the government compound your debt indefinitely for the rest of your life.

2. Smart money management

Just to show people how easy it is to have wealth. Put 3 summer jobs worth of earnings into the S&P 500 from year 15 (if you don't have F-up parents then your expenses should be minimal). At 63 yo this money becomes over a million dollars.

Here's another idea, get a job that pays 18 bucks/hr at Panda express from age 18. Pay your parents for electric and cable while living with them. Save 20k a year in the S&P 500 and do this for 10 years. Then move out and live paycheck to paycheck if you want for the rest of your life. By the time you are 60, you'll have 3.2 million dollars.

Of course these plans rely on your parents. However when talking about compounding from an early age, every dollar cannot be wasted on rent/living expenses you don't need. They need to be making money in the S&P.

 

[Defiantly_Not_Bender]

I'm just waiting for the next manufactured disaster & crisis. Part of me believes 9/11 was a coordinated effort and demolition to, in some format, weaken the strongest nation on earth. Why the "World Trade Center"? Well, the answer to that lies in the building titles themselves. International trade to weaken the dollar as reigning world currency. Perhaps I'm wrong on that one. God only knows.

However, I can say for statement of fact, the worlds politicians are doing "The Great Work" (IYKYK ) to destroy the U.S dollar and by doing so, bring America down to its knees financially in order to create a world governance and singular world currency. I'll probably get banned by some foxtrot on here for saying this......But, this little fact of world governance and global currency goes into biblical teachings. The world stage is set and the technology is here for it to happen.

The Beast is rising up and about to report in for work here shortly, IMO. There just needs to be an incredibly large manufactured crisis for it to happen.

It was. It was the tiny hat club.

Not defending boomers but these numbers are overstated. Inflation adjusted minimum wage from 1970 ($1.60 / hr)is about $28,000 /yr. Minimum wage, now as then, isn’t going to get you anywhere.

Home prices adjusted for inflation are comparatively higher but once you start adjusting for square footage (the average single family home is quite a bit larger now), more modern features (central AC/heat, indoor laundry,etc) the gap closes quite a bit. I agree some neighborhoods have higher housing inflation so go somewhere else. Buying my first home at 24 was financially terrifying even though I had a prettty good down payment I’d saved. Nice place but not a “dream home”, by any means. But sucking it up for the first few years was a great move.

I know lots of young people who bought homes - far from impossible. My daughter and her husband bought thier first home in their mid 20s. It wasn’t much and they cashed out nicely after a few years and recently upgraded nicely to a newer home that is much more comfortable. I have two sisters in-law that are much younger than my wife and they both bought homes by the time they were around 30 - nice places with one on Oahu’s north short with a beautiful view. Just yesterday I visited a friends daughter in thier first home - nice place! All did it without anyone handing them the money. It’s choices - do you want a home or a bunch of other crap. Get out of debt. If you’re 40 and have a car payment because you don’t have enough to pay cash - you’re already in financial trouble.

As for investors buying homes it’s nothing new. I had a large insurance company client and worked on closing deals for them buying large, high-end hotels and resorts on the west coast back in the late 90s. They need to invest thier cash reserves somewhere. This has expanded to SF homes. Was at a lunch with the state chair of the Republican Party with 15-20 business owners. A lot of the chatter was many of them had formed LLCs and were buying up distressed SF homes. This was about 10 years ago and there were still areas with a lot of forclosures around here. Not a hard thing as they had cash and existing relationships with willing banks through their businesses.

you need to adjust for the buying power of gold in 1970 versus now. How many ounces of gold could you buy per week with minimum wage and compare that to today. It’s over $300,000 a year.

 

[Defiantly_Not_Bender]

 

[Herb Stoner]

It was. It was the tiny hat club.

you need to adjust for the buying power of gold in 1970 versus now. How many ounces of gold could you buy per week with minimum wage and compare that to today. It’s over $300,000 a year.

Apples and oranges. I see the point but comparing overall inflationary trends to a specific commodity investment is, well…


Put


The Bong


Down.

 

[SpaceDyeVest]

The generation hate is a manipulation technique and so many of you are here slinging it. Knock that crap off, makes people look so dumb.

We have the same problems today that have been around forever. We put people in charge, mostly on popularity and mostly they suck. They sucked when they created a giant welfare state or lied us into wars or piled more debt or manufactured intel or wtf C19 actually was. The political class has always sucked, and today they have amazing tools to provoke us to hate each other. They need to provoke, to distract from their shit performance.

In the next 20 years, some young American mother is going to see someone else with a robot carrying groceries. And then it's on, she needs one. Her husband will do anything to shut her up, then the people down the street, then most everyone. Robots will be status symbols, they will be superpowers. People will work hard to get them.

That's what happens when America breaks out of a bad spell. We may not fix everything, we just strive for different things. Squirrel.

That's a happy path. Could all go to shit, but I doubt it.

 

[Defiantly_Not_Bender]

Apples and oranges. I see the point but comparing overall inflationary trends to a specific commodity investment is, well…

Put


The Bong


Down.

I’m not high, you’re just stupid.

In 1970 you could buy 1.83 ounces of gold per week on minimum wage.

$6,170 a week in gold is $320,000 boomer.

 

[doubloon]

I’m not high, you’re just stupid.

In 1970 you could buy 1.83 ounces of gold per week on minimum wage.

View attachment 8754408


$6,170 a week in gold is $320,000 boomer.


View attachment 8754479

Why gold? Calculate it in silver or copper. It will be a completely different number but just as valid as the gold calculation and equally inaccurate.

If you calculated it in IBM stock shares it would be just as accurate a comparison as gold ounces.

 

[hankpac]

View attachment 8753792

70?

Are you kidding me?

I'm much older than you and recognize that It's not over until you're six feet under.

It’s all hunky - dory until something like cancer pops up.

A little humility and gratitude for your good fortune is a good thing.

Fuck cancer. I’ve had it twice. Still here and doing great. Going elk hunting. NOTHING that happens from here on is tragic. I’ve done more things than I ever expected. Paratrooper, Tiger Force, 5 kids all adults, mountain rescue, paramedic and a career in Emergency Medicine. Hiked the Sierra from Road’s End to Tahoe, twice. Fought a bear, and been married 52 years to one woman. Have a home, retired at 55, travel, hunt… if I fall dead tomorrow, I’ve lived a hell of a life, seen the other side of the mountain, hunted big game, bedded fine women. I don’t drink or smoke and don’t use drugs. I’m pretty beat up, but I’ve tagged all the bases I wanted to tag. And I never once accepted luck or fortune as an obstacle.

 

[Edsel]

And I never once accepted luck or fortune as an obstacle.

Good on you, carry on

 

[Defiantly_Not_Bender]

Why gold? Calculate it in silver or copper. It will be a completely different number but just as valid as the gold calculation and equally inaccurate.

If you calculated it in IBM stock shares it would be just as accurate a comparison as gold ounces.

Because before 1970 we were on the gold standard.

I would say that’s a pretty important point.

Not copper, not dirt, not make believe IOU’s that we use now.

They print money out of thin air and charges interest to do so.

 

[Franko]

America (and the West) is on an experiment to implement techno-Feudalism and bring in a new golden age where a small minority of rich folks own everything and the rest of us slave away at their whim. I hope to live to a ripe old age, but not long enough to have to participate in a second French Revolution.

 

[Herb Stoner]

Because before 1970 we were on the gold standard.

I would say that’s a pretty important point.

Not copper, not dirt, not make believe IOU’s that we use now.

They print money out of thin air and charges interest to do so.

 

[Defiantly_Not_Bender]

View attachment 8754516

Glad you could extrapolate.

Looks like you’re the one that needs to put the bong down

 

[BuildingConceptsllc]

Not defending boomers but these numbers are overstated. Inflation adjusted minimum wage from 1970 ($1.60 / hr)is about $28,000 /yr. Minimum wage, now as then, isn’t going to get you anywhere.

Home prices adjusted for inflation are comparatively higher but once you start adjusting for square footage (the average single family home is quite a bit larger now), more modern features (central AC/heat, indoor laundry,etc) the gap closes quite a bit. I agree some neighborhoods have higher housing inflation so go somewhere else. Buying my first home at 24 was financially terrifying even though I had a prettty good down payment I’d saved. Nice place but not a “dream home”, by any means. But sucking it up for the first few years was a great move.

I know lots of young people who bought homes - far from impossible. My daughter and her husband bought thier first home in their mid 20s. It wasn’t much and they cashed out nicely after a few years and recently upgraded nicely to a newer home that is much more comfortable. I have two sisters in-law that are much younger than my wife and they both bought homes by the time they were around 30 - nice places with one on Oahu’s north short with a beautiful view. Just yesterday I visited a friends daughter in thier first home - nice place! All did it without anyone handing them the money. It’s choices - do you want a home or a bunch of other crap. Get out of debt. If you’re 40 and have a car payment because you don’t have enough to pay cash - you’re already in financial trouble.

As for investors buying homes it’s nothing new. I had a large insurance company client and worked on closing deals for them buying large, high-end hotels and resorts on the west coast back in the late 90s. They need to invest thier cash reserves somewhere. This has expanded to SF homes. Was at a lunch with the state chair of the Republican Party with 15-20 business owners. A lot of the chatter was many of them had formed LLCs and were buying up distressed SF homes. This was about 10 years ago and there were still areas with a lot of forclosures around here. Not a hard thing as they had cash and existing relationships with willing banks through their businesses.

Theres definitely a different expectation now days for 1st time buyers than when i bought my first house. That is definitely a major factor. Its also true that its much more difficult now days to do because of all the other expenses that have skyrocketed.

Multi family is one thing and doesn't present the problem that mass single family purchasing by massive hedge funds do. A home is not like a business or even a hotel/apartment. It's important for society to have a large number of home owners and these hedge funds buying all of them up take over entire areas and rent them out. It's got some pretty serious consequences for all of us down the road so I'm very much against it. It doesn't effect my business as I build large high end homes not the types of houses they buy but it distorts the market and puts these hedge funds controlling everything and keeping 1st time buyers out of the market.

 

[Holliday]

You’re right, there’s nothing wrong with that.

It’s largely American culture, “to be out of the house by 18.”

Asian and Latin American cultures do not have similar impositions on children.

Exactly this! I have said this for years about why Asians succeed, aside from having a higher average IQ.

But take comfort, Trump’s “America First” policies are going to give even more foreigners a leg up……

I mean you really have to listen to this a couple times. The first time you’ll scratch your head and say “Did he really just say the quiet part out loud??”

So when it comes to Education, making sure American kids go to lower schools, while Chinese go to the best schools, while driving up costs and lining Harvard’s pocket is the NEW “America First”….

 

[Holliday]

I’m 47. I decided in high school that I’ll never retire. Inflation will never allow it. “Just work harder!” Says the tone deaf boomers. In 1970, minimum wage had the same buying power as $180,000 a year does now. So fuck right off boomers with the boot-strap talk. You’re all literally retarded.

Retirement kills.

I worked for min wage in the 70s. I remember BARELY scraping by. Someone’s math is fucked up here.

 

[Franko]

I'm not sure on all the math but one thing that does stand out to me is the home price to wages ratio.

2024 median wage 62K and 2024 median home price 419k means the average home now costs 6.7 years of earnings
1994 median wage 27k and 1994 median home price 130k means that the average home cost 4.8 years of earnings
1964 median wage 5k and 1964 median home price 19k means that the average home cost 3.8 years of earnings

I don't like where this is going but can't do shit about it.

 

[sloporsche]

Sadly the only math that quite a few follow when making home , car etc purchase loans is " what is the monthly payment " interest rates ,terms [loan length] ,points etc . I have shocked more than a few friends decades ago showing them what they really paid for their house .

I'm not sure on all the math but one thing that does stand out to me is the home price to wages ratio.

2024 median wage 62K and 2024 median home price 419k means the average home now costs 6.7 years of earnings
1994 median wage 27k and 1994 median home price 130k means that the average home cost 4.8 years of earnings
1964 median wage 5k and 1964 median home price 19k means that the average home cost 3.8 years of earnings

I don't like where this is going but can't do shit abou

 

[sloporsche]

Unaffordability includes recent insurance company profits.
My home ins was $1500/yr about 8 yrs ago.
Now, it's $8K/yr and they claim my home, appraised by the county at $750, would cost $1.2M to rebuild? Driving up premiums and deductables to insane levels. They said rebuilding is way more expensive and may include disposals for total loss.
AI says climate change is driving losses from storms way up and insurance Co need to recoup losses. Again, calling BS.

750 k + 2 years old and 3 grand home ins 6 grand property taxes .......panhandle fla

 

[doubloon]

Because before 1970 we were on the gold standard.

And we're not now. Before 1970 (and after 1870-something) people were paying rent and buying food with gold via gold certificates known as dollars.

After 1970 gold started trading like any other commodity. So the price of gold has gone from ~$35 in 1970 to nearly ~$3500 (a 100x increase) in 2025 the average price of a house has gone from ~$27,000 in 1970 to about ~$500,000 in (20X increase) 2025.

So ~772 ounces of gold (27,000/35) to buy the average house in 1970 and ~143 ounces of gold (500,000/3500) to buy the average house in 2025.

OMG! The average house today is actually cheaper (in gold) than the average house of 1970, you can buy five houses today for the price (in gold) of a single house in 1970.

The value of the dollar is no longer tied directly to the value of gold, the buying power of gold changes independently from the buying power of the dollar.

 

[Short-bus]

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Ok I was being generous. My math was off. Not $180k a year.

It’s $320,840 a year.

Using 1970 for whoever made the graphic you used to make your (imo incorrect) point did it on purpose. In 1971 Nixon removed the US from the gold standard and by 1980 gold was $615/ounce. Peak inflation in the 70's was 15%, that doesn't support a 17x increase in the price of gold over that decade. Gold sat at $35/ounce from 1934 until 1967, then increased a little until 1971 when Nixon took us off the gold standard. I bought gold a little over 2 years ago at $1915 spot price, and now it's $3400/ounce. Nothing has changed to the point of making gold go up like that other than speculation, supply, and demand. Not inflation, not the devaluation of the dollar, just speculation and demand. They say precious metals are a hedge against inflation, and yes, I can see that, but the way gold has gone up, along with silver, and platinum, they aren't a hedge against inflation, they're a speculation asset no different that buying stocks and bonds.

To use your graphic, average home in 1970 was around $26K, 721 ounces of gold, in today's prices that 721 ounces of gold is about $2.5M. Average house today is like what, $450K? That math doesn't check out to reflect reality.

Edit: After posting I read the replies and I see i'm just beating the dead horse y'alls already have been beating.