Why don’t these younger generations pull themselves up by the boot straps like I did

[BurtG]

You boomers are insane

 

[ken226]

 

[TimC in KY]

Okay, I’ll bite.

I will turn 63 this month so I guess I qualify as a boomer. I married my pregnant girlfriend at age 19 while attending community college that I was paying for. I was raised in to take responsibility for my actions. Went to work for a new plant in town loading trucks beginning at 4 a.m. 5-6 days a week. I averaged near 70 hours per week for the first two years while at the same time continuing to be a full time student. Started there at $5/hour.

My family was asleep when I left in the morning and usually asleep when I got home at night. But I did it. Bought my first house in 1988 and I believe the interest rate was around 10%.

I’m in my 41st year with my employer and reached the highest position in my state decades ago. I can comfortably retire at any time because of my savings and 401k.

My son put himself through college and is a thriving professional with more money than me and a much more expensive house paid off this past March and is probably worth much more than I am.

Now another young man went to work at the same plant about 5 years ago. I think he is about 26-27 now has a wife two children and he bought his first house over two years ago. I have many more examples of successful people that didn’t blame other generations but made the best of whatever opportunities they could find.

By the way the average age of the vehicles I own is near 50 years.

My son drives a 95 Bronco and his wife drive a Hummer with over 350,000 miles on it and they live in a $600,000 house.

It seems far too few young people have the work ethic and the discipline to make the tough decisions required to be successful.

That’s part of this boomers story. Now go ahead and trash me and tell me it’s my fault you are not where you want to be in life.

 

[MK20]

Okay, I’ll bite.

I will turn 63 this month so I guess I qualify as a boomer. I married my pregnant girlfriend at age 19 while attending community college that I was paying for. I was raised in to take responsibility for my actions. Went to work for a new plant in town loading trucks beginning at 4 a.m. 5-6 days a week. I averaged near 70 hours per week for the first two years while at the same time continuing to be a full time student. Started there at $5/hour.

My family was asleep when I left in the morning and usually asleep when I got home at night. But I did it. Bought my first house in 1988 and I believe the interest rate was around 10%.

I’m in my 41st year with my employer and reached the highest position in my state decades ago. I can comfortably retire at any time because of my savings and 401k.

My son put himself through college and is a thriving professional with more money than me and a much more expensive house paid off this past March and is probably worth much more than I am.

Now another young man went to work at the same plant about 5 years ago. I think he is about 26-27 now has a wife two children and he bought his first house over two years ago. I have many more examples of successful people that didn’t blame other generations but made the best of whatever opportunities they could find.

By the way the average age of the vehicles I own is near 50 years.

My son drives a 95 Bronco and his wife drive a Hummer with over 350,000 miles on it and they live in a $600,000 house.

It seems far too few young people have the work ethic and the discipline to make the tough decisions required to be successful.

That’s part of this boomers story. Now go ahead and trash me and tell me it’s my fault you are not where you want to be in life.

I am not trashing you and that is what most boomers don't understand. I am happy for you that you were born on second base (by being born into post WWII and pre 2000 America) and your hard work made that into a home run of great proportions.

Most of the young generation don't have that opportunity these days like you had. I'm glad your plant is still around. Drive and see how many around the country aren't.

Have the intelligence and self awareness to know you were lucky enough to have the opportunity to work hard and have it pay off.

 

[cas6969]

Most of the young generation don't have that opportunity these days like you had.

Please explain and give examples of both.

(not a boomer, just working poor)

 

[TimC in KY]

I am not trashing you and that is what most boomers don't understand. I am happy for you that you were born on second base (by being born into post WWII and pre 2000 America) and your hard work made that into a home run of great proportions.

Most of the young generation don't have that opportunity these days like you had. I'm glad your plant is still around. Drive and see how many around the country aren't.

Have the intelligence and self awareness to know you were lucky enough to have the opportunity to work hard and have it pay off.

I appreciate your comments. I’m not sure about this second base theory. I have 4 siblings, I’m in the middle, my mother was a stay at home mom and my father was a career Marine retired as a Gunnery Sergeant in the mid 70’s. Needless to say family budget was tight.

I went to work right out of high school during the end of the Jimmy Carter administration. That economy with double digit inflation and unemployment was much worse than what we have now.

I still see the young man at the plant that bought a house on his own before he was 25.

Not trying to argue, but I know of several people his age that are making it work,

 

[chevy_man]

Okay, I’ll bite.

I will turn 63 this month so I guess I qualify as a boomer. I married my pregnant girlfriend at age 19 while attending community college that I was paying for. I was raised in to take responsibility for my actions. Went to work for a new plant in town loading trucks beginning at 4 a.m. 5-6 days a week. I averaged near 70 hours per week for the first two years while at the same time continuing to be a full time student. Started there at $5/hour.

My family was asleep when I left in the morning and usually asleep when I got home at night. But I did it. Bought my first house in 1988 and I believe the interest rate was around 10%.

I’m in my 41st year with my employer and reached the highest position in my state decades ago. I can comfortably retire at any time because of my savings and 401k.

My son put himself through college and is a thriving professional with more money than me and a much more expensive house paid off this past March and is probably worth much more than I am.

Now another young man went to work at the same plant about 5 years ago. I think he is about 26-27 now has a wife two children and he bought his first house over two years ago. I have many more examples of successful people that didn’t blame other generations but made the best of whatever opportunities they could find.

By the way the average age of the vehicles I own is near 50 years.

My son drives a 95 Bronco and his wife drive a Hummer with over 350,000 miles on it and they live in a $600,000 house.

It seems far too few young people have the work ethic and the discipline to make the tough decisions required to be successful.

That’s part of this boomers story. Now go ahead and trash me and tell me it’s my fault you are not where you want to be in life.

Live in a place where jobs pay $20-30/hr starting, but a 1500sq ft house costs 500k+.

They don't even know where to start because a mortgage would be their entire monthly income, even if they saved 100k for a down payment.

So rather than work towards a goal that seems completely unattainable, they've given up and accepted living in sheds, never having kids, and working as little as possible.

 

[stanley_white]

-Stan

 

[chevy_man]

I appreciate your comments. I’m not sure about this second base theory. I have 4 siblings, I’m in the middle, my mother was a stay at home mom and my father was a career Marine retired as a Gunnery Sergeant in the mid 70’s. Needless to say family budget was tight.

I went to work right out of high school during the end of the Jimmy Carter administration. That economy with double digit inflation and unemployment was much worse than what we have now.

I still see the young man at the plant that bought a house on his own before he was 25.

Not trying to argue, but I know of several people his age that are making it work,

I know a 25 year old that sports gambles as a career and has a house he paid for in cash.

His parents left him a large trust fund.

Never know the whole story.

(I paid $178k for my house in 2017, it now appraises for $450k. I wouldn't own a house if I hadn't bought when I could afford it).

 

[TimC in KY]

I know a 25 year old that sports gambles as a career and has a house he paid for in cash.

His parents left him a large trust fund.

Never know the whole story.

(I paid $178k for my house in 2017, it now appraises for $450k. I wouldn't own a house if I hadn't bought when I could afford it).

The idea of a trust fund in my family was unheard of, all it would have been was debt.

I did create a trust two years ago so that if something happens to me my wife is taken care of for ever.

As a side note, as I mentioned I was one of four children. The other three have lived their lives with a poverty mentality . One died with nothing but debt and the other two are not much different.

 

[MK20]

Please explain and give examples of both.

(not a boomer, just working poor)

I'm really sorry, but I don't understand the question. Please elaborate?

I appreciate your comments. I’m not sure about this second base theory. I have 4 siblings, I’m in the middle, my mother was a stay at home mom and my father was a career Marine retired as a Gunnery Sergeant in the mid 70’s. Needless to say family budget was tight.

I went to work right out of high school during the end of the Jimmy Carter administration. That economy with double digit inflation and unemployment was much worse than what we have now.

I still see the young man at the plant that bought a house on his own before he was 25.

Not trying to argue, but I know of several people his age that are making it work,

I know the economy was bad, but just go back and compare average annual income then to a house price then, or car price, and you will quickly see that the interest rate people like to throw around wasn't such a factor when you could pay off the house in 2 or 3 years.

 

[EddieNFL]

Okay, I’ll bite.

I will turn 63 this month so I guess I qualify as a boomer. I married my pregnant girlfriend at age 19 while attending community college that I was paying for. I was raised in to take responsibility for my actions. Went to work for a new plant in town loading trucks beginning at 4 a.m. 5-6 days a week. I averaged near 70 hours per week for the first two years while at the same time continuing to be a full time student. Started there at $5/hour.

My family was asleep when I left in the morning and usually asleep when I got home at night. But I did it. Bought my first house in 1988 and I believe the interest rate was around 10%.

I’m in my 41st year with my employer and reached the highest position in my state decades ago. I can comfortably retire at any time because of my savings and 401k.

My son put himself through college and is a thriving professional with more money than me and a much more expensive house paid off this past March and is probably worth much more than I am.

Now another young man went to work at the same plant about 5 years ago. I think he is about 26-27 now has a wife two children and he bought his first house over two years ago. I have many more examples of successful people that didn’t blame other generations but made the best of whatever opportunities they could find.

By the way the average age of the vehicles I own is near 50 years.

My son drives a 95 Bronco and his wife drive a Hummer with over 350,000 miles on it and they live in a $600,000 house.

It seems far too few young people have the work ethic and the discipline to make the tough decisions required to be successful.

That’s part of this boomers story. Now go ahead and trash me and tell me it’s my fault you are not where you want to be in life.

You are arguing against a different perception of white privilege.

 

[TimC in KY]

I'm really sorry, but I don't understand the question. Please elaborate?






I know the economy was bad, but just go back and compare average annual income then to a house price then, or car price, and you will quickly see that the interest rate people like to throw around wasn't such a factor when you could pay off the house in 2 or 3 years.

The economy was the worst most of us have seen in a lifetime.

It is largely about choices and discipline.

I did not buy a new car until I was 45 and then paid cash.

I do not have credit cards.

Max out your 401k .

We lived on hamburger helper for years.

Do not buy anything on time.

Most importantly, respect your employer and do your best to make sure that they see your potential and want to keep you and see you advance.

 

[748rpilot]

I know the economy was bad, but just go back and compare average annual income then to a house price then, or car price, and you will quickly see that the interest rate people like to throw around wasn't such a factor when you could pay off the house in 2 or 3 years.

To your point, in 1986:

Median home price: $92,000
Median income: $29,437
Factor: 3.12x

In 2025:

Median home price: $410,800
Median wage (20-24): $40,664
Median wage (25-34): $59,228
Factor (20-24): 10.10x
Factor (25-34): 6.93x

You now need to earn DOUBLE the Median wage for someone 25-34, or $118,456 to have the same level of home affordability as the Median worker had in 1986.

To illustrate differently: the Median home price from 1986 to 2025 has a percentage increase of 346%.

The percentage change of Median wage (using 25-34 to be most favorable to 1986): 101%.

Fuck it, edit 3 because the 'tism is 'tisming:

1986 mortgage rates were about 10.13%, putting 20% down ($18,400) on the Median house is a mortgage payment of $652.97. This is 26.5% of gross monthly income.

Current mortgage rates are about 6.5%, but I'll be generous and say 6%. Putting 20% ($82,160!) on the Median home at 6% is a mortgage payment of $1970.36. This is 40% of gross monthly income. Assuming you could even save $82,160 on $59k year, and good luck getting approved for the mortgage!

 

[MK20]

I would really, really ask you older guys to go read this old thread on here.

Calling all angry old men, what was life like with 12% home loans?

Im curious what life was like back when mortgage rates were sky high. I’ve never known anything above 3% Or was it just so different even old timers are unsure wtf we are supposed to do. Just curious about the “been there, done that” advice.

www.snipershide.com

You aren't wrong about what you say if the paradigm is 1975, but it isn't anymore and this linked thread shows it. @748rpilot also laid it out really clearly.

The game has changed. @BurtG video he posted at the beginning of the thread is also priceless.

 

[BurtG]

So well read and prophetic ^ and you think they were wrong about who they let vote ?

 

[BurtG]

Tangent
Look at the machine gun market. Widely accepted they double in “value” every 10 years.

In reality it just shows the dollar half’s its value every 10 years.

Does your income double every ten years ?


What happens when you let the Jew bankers aka “federal” reserve get ahold
Of currency

 

[mi650]

I appreciate your comments. I’m not sure about this second base theory. I have 4 siblings, I’m in the middle, my mother was a stay at home mom and my father was a career Marine retired as a Gunnery Sergeant in the mid 70’s. Needless to say family budget was tight.

I went to work right out of high school during the end of the Jimmy Carter administration. That economy with double digit inflation and unemployment was much worse than what we have now.

I still see the young man at the plant that bought a house on his own before he was 25.

Not trying to argue, but I know of several people his age that are making it work,

In all fairness, unemployment & inflation were reported much more accurately back then. Food was included in inflation, for example. I wasn't in the workforce back then, 14 when Reagan was elected, but well remember what was going on. The numbers now are considerably higher than what we're being told.


And to your other point, spot on. (Although, we're running 50/50 with our kids.) Our son is 30, has been married for 8 years, they bought their 1st house 7 years ago. 5 years ago, they sold it and bought a much bigger house in a much nicer city/neighborhood. Granted, we paid for his bachelors degree (math major with double minors, bus. admin. and IT something or other), but then he got his masters on his own (data analytics). He's a major league asshole, but no-one can argue his accomplishments.

Our 27 y.o. daughter on the other hand... we also paid for her bachelors (social work I tried my best to talk her out of it), now she's an ass't mgr. at Dollar General, seems to have no interest in getting another job in her field, and lives with us. (She did work as a social worker at a homeless shelter for about 4 years.)

 

[TimC in KY]

In all fairness, unemployment & inflation were reported much more accurately back then. Food was included in inflation, for example. I wasn't in the workforce back then, 14 when Reagan was elected, but well remember what was going on. The numbers now are considerably higher than what we're being told.


And to your other point, spot on. (Although, we're running 50/50 with our kids.) Our son is 30, has been married for 8 years, they bought their 1st house 7 years ago. 5 years ago, they sold it and bought a much bigger house in a much nicer city/neighborhood. Granted, we paid for his bachelors degree (math major with double minors, bus. admin. and IT something or other), but then he got his masters on his own (data analytics). He's a major league asshole, but no-one can argue his accomplishments.

Our 27 y.o. daughter on the other hand... we also paid for her bachelors (social work I tried my best to talk her out of it), now she's an ass't mgr. at Dollar General, seems to have no interest in getting another job in her field, and lives with us. (She did work as a social worker at a homeless shelter for about 4 years.)

I was fortunate that my son has a great work ethic. From early on he put in the time, effort and practice to excel at everything he tried. Baseball and basketball did not work for him but he did get a full scholarship for golf. Afterwords he paid for his masters and CPA degree.

I understand what you mean by 50/50. If they are both happy, more power to them. It is a good example of personal choice determining the outcome.

 

[mi650]

I was fortunate that my son has a great work ethic. From early on he put in the time, effort and practice to excel at everything he tried. Baseball and basketball did not work for him but he did get a full scholarship for golf. Afterwords he paid for his masters and CPA degree.

I understand what you mean by 50/50. If they are both happy, more power to them. It is a good example of personal choice determining the outcome.

My kids were both co-valedictorian in high school, and graduated magna cum laude from college. They put in the work in school, but my son still has the insatiable drive to succeed that my daughter seems to have lost.

 

[Huskydriver]

Came here just to say.....

 

[MK20]

I have to say that I think the fracturing of the american family structure from where most families had all generations under one roof to the current diaspora of generations is largely to blame for the misunderstandings.

When grandpa sees his kid every day trying to provide with a good job and mom still has to work and it is still tight, his brain will eventually think back to when he was young and realize something changed. He has to because the evidence is in front of him every day when he wakes up.

 

[Defiantly_Not_Bender]

Simply compare how much gold you could buy in ounces per week in 1968 on minimum wage versus today.

 

[Defiantly_Not_Bender]

Simply compare how much gold you could buy in ounces per week in 1968 on minimum wage versus today.

I bring receipts




I ran the numbers. I used U.S. federal minimum wages (1968 and today) and current spot gold to compute how many troy ounces a full-time minimum-wage worker could buy per week in 1968 vs today, and then calculated the annual income today that would be required to match 1968’s gold-buying power.








Key source numbers I used

• Federal minimum wage (effective Feb 1, 1968): $1.60 / hr.
• Federal minimum wage today (federal floor, still in effect in 2025): $7.25 / hr.
• Spot gold price (used for “today”): $3,648.25 per troy ounce (spot; source sampled Sept 2025).
• Historical 1968 gold market prices: after the London gold-pool stresses 1968 saw market prices above the $35 official parity; daily fixes cluster around ~$38–$40/oz for much of 1968 (I used $38.50/oz as a representative 1968 market average).

Calculations (step-by-step)








Assumptions: full-time = 40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year. Gold measured in troy ounces.





1968 (using $1.60/hr and $38.50/oz):

• Weekly earnings = $1.60 × 40 = $64.00.
• Ounces of gold/week = $64.00 ÷ $38.50 ≈ 1.6623 oz/week.

Today (federal minimum $7.25/hr and spot gold $3,648.25/oz):

• Weekly earnings = $7.25 × 40 = $290.00.
• Ounces of gold/week = $290.00 ÷ $3,648.25 ≈ 0.07949 oz/week.

Relative buying power:

• 1968 oz/week ÷ 2025 oz/week ≈ 1.6623 ÷ 0.07949 ≈ 20.9.
  So a minimum-wage worker in 1968 could buy ~21× more gold per week than a federal minimum-wage worker can buy today (using the numbers above).

How large would yearly income


today


need to be to match 1968’s gold-buying power?








Take the 1968 annual gold quantity (1.6623 oz/week × 52 weeks = 86.44 oz/year). At today’s spot price:

• Required annual income today = 86.44 oz × $3,648.25/oz ≈ $315,370 per year.

Equivalently, you’d need about $6,065 per week (which ×52 ≈ $315,370) to buy the same gold annually a 1968 minimum-wage earner could.​

 

[P-Squared]

-Stan

OK, I'm a boomer (1954) and I essentially did this in a fortune 500 company, except my line was "I can't afford to fund this operation forever' meaning I can't work at the entry level for very long. He absolutely understood what I was saying. I had just told him my credentials, as in what I had done at previous companies. He said, "You need to talk to Alan" (one of his VP's), took me over to Alan's office, interrupted a meeting and said "You need to talk to this guy". Alan asked everyone to leave and we proceeded to have a meeting. To be honest, I was shitting my pants, but there was no turning back. Five years later I reported directly to the CEO. True story!

Now get off my lawn. You damn kids. (OBTW - No Degree)

 

[stanley_white]

OK, I'm a boomer (1954) and I essentially did this in a fortune 500 company, except my line was "I can't afford to fund this operation forever' meaning I can't work at the entry level for very long. He absolutely understood what I was saying. I had just told him my credentials, as in what I had done at previous companies. He said, "You need to talk to Alan" (one of his VP's), took me over to Alan's office, interrupted a meeting and said "You need to talk to this guy". Alan asked everyone to leave and we proceeded to have a meeting. To be honest, I was shitting my pants, but there was no turning back. Five years later I reported directly to the CEO. True story!

Now get off my lawn. You damn kids. (OBTW - No Degree)

I am a Gen Xer and did something similar.

I still love the video.

-Stan

 

[Defiantly_Not_Bender]

OK, I'm a boomer (1954) and I essentially did this in a fortune 500 company, except my line was "I can't afford to fund this operation forever' meaning I can't work at the entry level for very long. He absolutely understood what I was saying. I had just told him my credentials, as in what I had done at previous companies. He said, "You need to talk to Alan" (one of his VP's), took me over to Alan's office, interrupted a meeting and said "You need to talk to this guy". Alan asked everyone to leave and we proceeded to have a meeting. To be honest, I was shitting my pants, but there was no turning back. Five years later I reported directly to the CEO. True story!

Now get off my lawn. You damn kids. (OBTW - No Degree)

Scroll up boomer and read the post above yours.

 

[roostercogburn98]

Does your income double every ten years ?

 

[MK20]

I bring receipts




I ran the numbers. I used U.S. federal minimum wages (1968 and today) and current spot gold to compute how many troy ounces a full-time minimum-wage worker could buy per week in 1968 vs today, and then calculated the annual income today that would be required to match 1968’s gold-buying power.








Key source numbers I used

• Federal minimum wage (effective Feb 1, 1968): $1.60 / hr.
• Federal minimum wage today (federal floor, still in effect in 2025): $7.25 / hr.
• Spot gold price (used for “today”): $3,648.25 per troy ounce (spot; source sampled Sept 2025).
• Historical 1968 gold market prices: after the London gold-pool stresses 1968 saw market prices above the $35 official parity; daily fixes cluster around ~$38–$40/oz for much of 1968 (I used $38.50/oz as a representative 1968 market average).

Calculations (step-by-step)








Assumptions: full-time = 40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year. Gold measured in troy ounces.





1968 (using $1.60/hr and $38.50/oz):

• Weekly earnings = $1.60 × 40 = $64.00.
• Ounces of gold/week = $64.00 ÷ $38.50 ≈ 1.6623 oz/week.

Today (federal minimum $7.25/hr and spot gold $3,648.25/oz):

• Weekly earnings = $7.25 × 40 = $290.00.
• Ounces of gold/week = $290.00 ÷ $3,648.25 ≈ 0.07949 oz/week.

Relative buying power:

• 1968 oz/week ÷ 2025 oz/week ≈ 1.6623 ÷ 0.07949 ≈ 20.9.
  So a minimum-wage worker in 1968 could buy ~21× more gold per week than a federal minimum-wage worker can buy today (using the numbers above).

How large would yearly income


today


need to be to match 1968’s gold-buying power?








Take the 1968 annual gold quantity (1.6623 oz/week × 52 weeks = 86.44 oz/year). At today’s spot price:

• Required annual income today = 86.44 oz × $3,648.25/oz ≈ $315,370 per year.

Equivalently, you’d need about $6,065 per week (which ×52 ≈ $315,370) to buy the same gold annually a 1968 minimum-wage earner could.​

Fucking genius sir.

End of thread here.

 

[Redlion]

It is part of the bigger globalist Agenda 21/Agenda 2023. House all of the peasants in "shoe boxes" in mega cities while all other land is protected and off-limits to the peons as stated in the Wildlands project. The Uber rich and elite can do as they please.

 

[TimC in KY]

OK, I'm a boomer (1954) and I essentially did this in a fortune 500 company, except my line was "I can't afford to fund this operation forever' meaning I can't work at the entry level for very long. He absolutely understood what I was saying. I had just told him my credentials, as in what I had done at previous companies. He said, "You need to talk to Alan" (one of his VP's), took me over to Alan's office, interrupted a meeting and said "You need to talk to this guy". Alan asked everyone to leave and we proceeded to have a meeting. To be honest, I was shitting my pants, but there was no turning back. Five years later I reported directly to the CEO. True story!

Now get off my lawn. You damn kids. (OBTW - No Degree)

You could have just quoted statistics and said it wasn’t possible. Every generation has people that make it and people that don’t..

 

[748rpilot]

Dismissing real data and real world facts in order to avoid reassessing your worldview?

Yea that sounds about boomer.

 

[MK20]

I bring receipts




I ran the numbers. I used U.S. federal minimum wages (1968 and today) and current spot gold to compute how many troy ounces a full-time minimum-wage worker could buy per week in 1968 vs today, and then calculated the annual income today that would be required to match 1968’s gold-buying power.








Key source numbers I used

• Federal minimum wage (effective Feb 1, 1968): $1.60 / hr.
• Federal minimum wage today (federal floor, still in effect in 2025): $7.25 / hr.
• Spot gold price (used for “today”): $3,648.25 per troy ounce (spot; source sampled Sept 2025).
• Historical 1968 gold market prices: after the London gold-pool stresses 1968 saw market prices above the $35 official parity; daily fixes cluster around ~$38–$40/oz for much of 1968 (I used $38.50/oz as a representative 1968 market average).

Calculations (step-by-step)








Assumptions: full-time = 40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year. Gold measured in troy ounces.





1968 (using $1.60/hr and $38.50/oz):

• Weekly earnings = $1.60 × 40 = $64.00.
• Ounces of gold/week = $64.00 ÷ $38.50 ≈ 1.6623 oz/week.

Today (federal minimum $7.25/hr and spot gold $3,648.25/oz):

• Weekly earnings = $7.25 × 40 = $290.00.
• Ounces of gold/week = $290.00 ÷ $3,648.25 ≈ 0.07949 oz/week.

Relative buying power:

• 1968 oz/week ÷ 2025 oz/week ≈ 1.6623 ÷ 0.07949 ≈ 20.9.
  So a minimum-wage worker in 1968 could buy ~21× more gold per week than a federal minimum-wage worker can buy today (using the numbers above).

How large would yearly income


today


need to be to match 1968’s gold-buying power?








Take the 1968 annual gold quantity (1.6623 oz/week × 52 weeks = 86.44 oz/year). At today’s spot price:

• Required annual income today = 86.44 oz × $3,648.25/oz ≈ $315,370 per year.

Equivalently, you’d need about $6,065 per week (which ×52 ≈ $315,370) to buy the same gold annually a 1968 minimum-wage earner could.​

And it's not just minimum wages, I ran the same math for average income for each year.

1968 - 124 ounces

2025 - 20 ounces

Therefore the average American is getting paid 620% less in real wages today compared to 1968.

This is what most boomers don't see.

 

[Defiantly_Not_Bender]

And it's not just minimum wages, I ran the same math for average income for each year.

1968 - 124 ounces

2025 - 20 ounces

Therefore the average American is getting paid 620% less in real wages today compared to 1968.

This is what most boomers don't see.

Just pull yourself up by your bootstraps kiddo!!!

GET OFF MY LAWN!!

I gotta go to the casino and gamble my Social Security Check away!!

 

[Defiantly_Not_Bender]

Tangent
Look at the machine gun market. Widely accepted they double in “value” every 10 years.

In reality it just shows the dollar half’s its value every 10 years.

Does your income double every ten years ?


What happens when you let the Jew bankers aka “federal” reserve get ahold
Of currency

It’s the same machine gun. No value has increased

 

[Defiantly_Not_Bender]

OK, I'm a boomer (1954) and I essentially did this in a fortune 500 company, except my line was "I can't afford to fund this operation forever' meaning I can't work at the entry level for very long. He absolutely understood what I was saying. I had just told him my credentials, as in what I had done at previous companies. He said, "You need to talk to Alan" (one of his VP's), took me over to Alan's office, interrupted a meeting and said "You need to talk to this guy". Alan asked everyone to leave and we proceeded to have a meeting. To be honest, I was shitting my pants, but there was no turning back. Five years later I reported directly to the CEO. True story!

Now get off my lawn. You damn kids. (OBTW - No Degree)

Post in thread 'Why don’t these younger generations pull themselves up by the boot straps like I did'
https://www.snipershide.com/shootin...-boot-straps-like-i-did.7268219/post-12318432

 

[Haney]

Just so you know at least one person gave a shit about this childish thread . You sure are screaming for attention lately.

 

[TimC in KY]

Dismissing real data and real world facts in order to avoid reassessing your worldview?

Yea that sounds about boomer.

Nothing I have accomplished or have earned was at your expense. If it makes you feel better to blame someone for your shortcomings, then go ahead. My background is taking responsibility for myself and making the choices that get me where I want to be. I don’t blame anyone for my not having more.

 

[akmike47]

View attachment 8766783

View attachment 8766784

So well read and prophetic ^ and you think they were wrong about who they let vote ?

But but the Carter years were the worst down turn ever according to TimC.

 

[Defiantly_Not_Bender]

Just so you know at least one person gave a shit about this childish thread . You sure are screaming for attention lately.

View attachment 8766882

 

[BurtG]

Nothing I have accomplished or have earned was at your expense.

You literally vote to spend future generations earnings with deficit spending


L
O
L

 

[BurtG]

Just so you know at least one person gave a shit about this childish thread . You sure are screaming for attention lately.

View attachment 8766882

You are similar to the leftists that can’t win arguments based on ideas and thought so they switch to. Other means

 

[TimC in KY]

You literally vote to spend future generations earnings with deficit spending


L
O
L

Actually, I have voted for the most conservative candidate in every election since I I was able to vote in 1980. I live in one of the most conservative districts in the country. I’m proud to have Rand Paul and Thomas Massey representing my state.

When have I voted to spend future generations earnings?

 

[748rpilot]

Nothing I have accomplished or have earned was at your expense. If it makes you feel better to blame someone for your shortcomings, then go ahead. My background is taking responsibility for myself and making the choices that get me where I want to be. I don’t blame anyone for my not having more.

My shortcomings?? Well if we're pulling our dicks out, I'll play.

I got my first (W2) job at 14. Worked through HS and college. While my classmates were chasing internships, I chose to muck stalls to get saddle time.

I studied Mathematics and Computer Science, testing out of multiple CS classes on account I'd taught myself programming at a young age, and some math classes with AP credits. By the time I graduated, I earned a BS with about 3 semesters of Graduate math coursework under my belt because I took every Math and CS course I could get my hands on. I graduated into a recession.

My list of work accomplishments is a country mile long, and by 37 I made Managing Director in a futures/options trading firm. I'm in the top 2% of income and on track to be comfortably retired by 55.

The difference between you and I is that I can easily admit that regardless of how difficult certain periods of my life were, I know there was an element of luck, timing, and God-given gifts involved.

I can also easily admit that what I did will likely be even more difficult for GenZ and beyond, as prices continue to rise, homes become increasingly more unaffordable and AI and technology further erode entry level jobs.

We can talk about exceptions all day and that will always miss the point, because exceptions are exceptional.

Why is it so difficult for your generation to simply say, "yes, I was born into beneficial economic times and then made the most of it"? I have never one time heard someone of your age admit that --it's always the sob story about walking up hill both ways in the snow and 120 degree heat to work at the mill.

My generation doesn't dislike your generation because of our shortcomings or your success: it's because you refuse to admit what is objectively true. You were lucky enough to be born into an economic boom time that is unlikely to ever be seen again, regardless of what you did with it.

What we should be concerning ourselves with are the whole of the upcoming generations and the unique challenges they face, not pointing out the exceptions as if to make believe those challenges don't exist.

 

[mi650]

It is part of the bigger globalist Agenda 21/Agenda 2023. House all of the peasants in "shoe boxes" in mega cities while all other land is protected and off-limits to the peons as stated in the Wildlands project. The Uber rich and elite can do as they please.

Good luck to them trying to get me off of my little slice of Heaven.

 

[mtrmn]

I bring receipts




I ran the numbers. I used U.S. federal minimum wages (1968 and today) and current spot gold to compute how many troy ounces a full-time minimum-wage worker could buy per week in 1968 vs today, and then calculated the annual income today that would be required to match 1968’s gold-buying power.








Key source numbers I used

• Federal minimum wage (effective Feb 1, 1968): $1.60 / hr.
• Federal minimum wage today (federal floor, still in effect in 2025): $7.25 / hr.
• Spot gold price (used for “today”): $3,648.25 per troy ounce (spot; source sampled Sept 2025).
• Historical 1968 gold market prices: after the London gold-pool stresses 1968 saw market prices above the $35 official parity; daily fixes cluster around ~$38–$40/oz for much of 1968 (I used $38.50/oz as a representative 1968 market average).

Calculations (step-by-step)








Assumptions: full-time = 40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year. Gold measured in troy ounces.





1968 (using $1.60/hr and $38.50/oz):

• Weekly earnings = $1.60 × 40 = $64.00.
• Ounces of gold/week = $64.00 ÷ $38.50 ≈ 1.6623 oz/week.

Today (federal minimum $7.25/hr and spot gold $3,648.25/oz):

• Weekly earnings = $7.25 × 40 = $290.00.
• Ounces of gold/week = $290.00 ÷ $3,648.25 ≈ 0.07949 oz/week.

Relative buying power:

• 1968 oz/week ÷ 2025 oz/week ≈ 1.6623 ÷ 0.07949 ≈ 20.9.
  So a minimum-wage worker in 1968 could buy ~21× more gold per week than a federal minimum-wage worker can buy today (using the numbers above).

How large would yearly income


today


need to be to match 1968’s gold-buying power?








Take the 1968 annual gold quantity (1.6623 oz/week × 52 weeks = 86.44 oz/year). At today’s spot price:

• Required annual income today = 86.44 oz × $3,648.25/oz ≈ $315,370 per year.

Equivalently, you’d need about $6,065 per week (which ×52 ≈ $315,370) to buy the same gold annually a 1968 minimum-wage earner could.​

And it's boomers' fault? Serious question

 

[Defiantly_Not_Bender]

And it's boomers' fault? Serious question

Yes and no. It’s the tone deaf attitude. Many are great, but fail to understand the situation now. Again it’s a spectrum generalization. Not all are this way. I don’t wish them harm. Just understand that the economic situation now and stop blowing Social Security like it comes from trees.

At some level they are responsible because this apparatus built around American Politics happened because many were asleep at the wheel for the past 80 years or more.

I am a pessimist. I do wish everyone saw the gravity of the situation we’re all in.

 

[TimC in KY]

My shortcomings?? Well if we're pulling our dicks out, I'll play.

I got my first (W2) job at 14. Worked through HS and college. While my classmates were chasing internships, I chose to muck stalls to get saddle time.

I studied Mathematics and Computer Science, testing out of multiple CS classes on account I'd taught myself programming at a young age, and some math classes with AP credits. By the time I graduated, I earned a BS with about 3 semesters of Graduate math coursework under my belt because I took every Math and CS course I could get my hands on. I graduated into a recession.

My list of work accomplishments is a country mile long, and by 37 I made Managing Director in a futures/options trading firm. I'm in the top 2% of income and on track to be comfortably retired by 55.

The difference between you and I is that I can easily admit that regardless of how difficult certain periods of my life were, I know there was an element of luck, timing, and God-given gifts involved.

I can also easily admit that what I did will likely be even more difficult for GenZ and beyond, as prices continue to rise, homes become increasingly more unaffordable and AI and technology further erode entry level jobs.

We can talk about exceptions all day and that will always miss the point, because exceptions are exceptional.

Why is it so difficult for your generation to simply say, "yes, I was born into beneficial economic times and then made the most of it"? I have never one time heard someone of your age admit that --it's always the sob story about walking up hill both ways in the snow and 120 degree heat to work at the mill.

My generation doesn't dislike your generation because of our shortcomings or your success: it's because you refuse to admit what is objectively true. You were lucky enough to be born into an economic boom time that is unlikely to ever be seen again, regardless of what you did with it.

What we should be concerning ourselves with are the whole of the upcoming generations and the unique challenges they face, not pointing out the exceptions as if to make believe those challenges don't exist.

Well let’s talk about this a little. I’ll share a little more of my background.

#1 I have no interest in seeing your dick or showing you mine, maybe that is one of those generational things.


I hate this division by generations as if we we all the same.

When I was 12-13 , if I wanted breakfast, I would get up and peel the potatoes I had dug from our garden and cook them for my self. Through 5-8th grade I was responsible for taking care of the bottle calves before going to school. Do you have any idea what that involves?

Dad lost the farm in 1977.

When I was 16 in 1978 my responsibility was taking my mother to and from chemotherapy and blood transfusions. She passed in 1982.

I graduated HS in 1980. In 1981 I took out my one and only student loan. It was for $600 . It was because the farm truck I was driving needed tires and I had to pay my insurance.

Most of what happened after that is in my prior post.

Every generation, no every individual has their story.

To tell me that somehow I was privileged is absurd. To try to make me feel guilty for what I accomplished is even more absurd.

We all face our challenges. It’s up to us to decide how we face them. It has little to do with some labeling of generations. I took advantage of no one and I owe no one for my outcome.

 

[Newlongrange]

Oldest son just turned 17. He’s scared to death of moving out when he graduates HS. Rent for any apartment around here is not feasible for most working at typical jobs people can get right out of HS.

Seeing the younger guys where I work having 2-3 roommates for a 2bedroom is definitely concerning.

He wants to get a job at the local county jail ( 65k a year non certified)when he graduates, save up most of his money to buy a house outright and start investing the moment he gets the job. He wants to live with us for a few years after HS.

Sure is different than when I got out of HS 30 years ago.

 

[mtrmn]

By the many boomer-hating posts on here, I suppose I'm to believe that if y'all had been born 20 or 30 years earlier things wouldn't be this way today, correct?
I normally agree with most of y'all's posted opinions on here, but I honestly find this boomer grudge to be irrational. Everything else is the jews fault, but somehow the boomers have had their foot on your necks preventing you from achieving the success you deserve.