It seems we all have a similar start that includes starting a lower wage job and scraping by. I began working full time in 2000 when I was only 1.5 years into college. My starting pay was $11.50, Working full time on 2nd shift, getting home at 1 AM, then studying until 2:30 for my 8 AM class was rough. I had 19 credit hours and it required 26 hours of in class time. That job gave me enough experience to grow into an engineer, then I went back to school at 30. I still drive an old car because I hate car payments. Current car is 2011 SRX I got a steal of a deal on. After owning for 4 years, it was totaled by hail. I kept the money and drive it with dents.
Getting by without cable, cell phone, crap car, and a cheap apartment seem less acceptable than in the past. The car and apartment admittedly may not be too easy these days.
I do think some things within our culture have changed that make the younger generation feel as though the things are required. iPhones and air pods are the top of the list. People spend a lot on these items when you can easily buy something cheaper. There is also a segment of healthy food that didn't exist. As a gen Xer, we just ate veggies and meat more and anything pre-packaged was typically junk food and relatively cheap.
Getting by without cable, cell phone, crap car, and a cheap apartment seem less acceptable than in the past. The car and apartment admittedly may not be too easy these days.
I do think some things within our culture have changed that make the younger generation feel as though the things are required. iPhones and air pods are the top of the list. People spend a lot on these items when you can easily buy something cheaper. There is also a segment of healthy food that didn't exist. As a gen Xer, we just ate veggies and meat more and anything pre-packaged was typically junk food and relatively cheap.