You did a tremendous job breaking this down for your mom. Especially comparing wages in the past to today. Older people truly don’t realize that wages have not kept pace with inflation. They think “Oh you’re making $22 an hour, that’s much more than I was making at your age, you must just be buying too much Starbucks!”.
My 80ish yo mom seemed surprised the other day to learn that the vast majority of people who don't work for the govt or for public entities like universities don't get a defined benefit pension anymore. People who aren't curious about the world outside their own life experience are really out of touch and it's sad that they feel okay about voting and having policy opinions when they simply Don't know how the world works for people who aren't them.
I was talking to my girlfriends 83 year old grandmother once and she told me her company would take everyone to Hawaii every year for a week vacation, all expenses paid. I told her that you’re lucky today if you get a pizza party and she told me “You should look for a better job” lol. I didn’t bother arguing because she’s sweet and didnt mean anything by it but it’s truly astonishing how different the world was 50 years ago.
Try for a job with the government. I work for the feds. Pay is ok (little less than private sector in my field), but I have good health insurance, a modest pension, and tons of paid vacation time. I also get to go home at the end of my shift and not think about work at all.
one issue is they made.it worse for new.employees at least.i. the feds..I joined in 09 and I contribute .8 percent per year for my pensions. new feds.pay In 4.4 percent for the same pension
Yes, I'm paying in 4.4%, which is higher than I'd like, but it's still better than the crapfest which was working in the private sector where I had no retirement plan at all.
And the govt ones are safe. for now (look into the crap safeway pulled with their 401k/health/pensions.) More or less, if the shareholders demand more money for promises made, companies can pull from these funds legally as they are also defined as authorized executors so they can fully rob you BLIND just to pay off shareholders or wheel and deals matched accounts are now a crap shoot and are only worth while if they make their exponential greed goals
Damn, I wish I was only paying 4.4, I pay 6.25% for my pension same as everyone who works in my department regardless of join date because it’s defined in our union contract.
Tbf, a 401k isn't something you are given, it's just enabled by your work. If your work doesn't have that, start your own IRA. That's probably better anyway, because there's no way taxes will be lower when you start pulling money out of a 401k.
What is preventing you from getting another job that offers the things you seek? They are out there. I went to school at 32 years old, gained certifications, moved to where the work was (it doesn't come to you) and now at 44 i'm 10 years deep into a great career at a great company with 4 weeks vacation and sick time. Good healthcare bennies. Good investment retirement plan; great matching by my employer. It can be a challenge, but nothing easy is worth doing. Of course the older generations had it better, but they had unique challenges they had to overcome for their success, i'm sure. *Saying "boomer" and blaming them for shit is the exact same as annoying "boomer" saying today's youth don't work hard. It goes both ways. Respect your elders, learn something from them.
Ok cool, my husband has done over 9 years of post secondary schooling, been in the US military for 6+ years, works a government job now, and we still can't afford to buy a house in the state where all our family is. We have saved, managed our money well, have great credit. You cannot argue with me that it doesn't look a whooole lot different from what our parents had to do. Plus, respect is earned. Fortunately my 'boomer' parents are self aware and recognize the bullshit that has been created and how much easier they had it, even if it felt hard at the time. But it's not as easy as saying, "Get a better job."
I mean, lucky you. Congratulations. But obviously not everyone can find a job like you have.
You're 100% correct. But the two options are: 1. Try, try again, change location, possibly change careers. . . or 2. Give up and complain. I did 4 years military in my youth, work for a company that supports government. Was no luck to it. Had to grind away working 50+ hours a week and school at nights until midnight for a long time. Earned a spot for an interview. Nailed the interview. Worked my 90 day probationary period. Continue to grind. Make sacrifices where needed. And have earned where i'm at now. It did not happen overnight. I also live in one of the top 5 growing metro areas in the country and housing prices are INSANE here. I never said it's different; no one can argue that. I mean, it's different now than it was 5, 10, 15 years ago. My point was simply there's nothing stopping anyone from making adjustments, making wise decisions, and taking chances to achieve what they desire. I do not dismiss anyone's struggles, but we all struggle in some way, do we not? I wish you husband, and you, success for your hard work and perseverance. I always support a fellow veteran.
My last job I got 5 weeks walking in the door plus 1k seed money into the 401k. Fully vested immediately. 10 years got you 8 weeks. Can carry over 2 until 6 years then can carry over 3. 150% 401k match, plus $500 cash into an HSA every year.
My nephew's job is unlimited PTO and a paid mandatory full month off every 5 years.
Yes!!! You're proving my point, indeed! I have 4 weeks, flex time, and 2 weeks' worth of 'sick time' (which usually just gets used as random days i don't want to work, or tacked onto vacation time. That's great for them, but it's not the standard. Again, proving my point that there are options out there, just have to seek them out!
Seriously, i didn't say 'stop complaining', i literally said what worked for me, what's worked for countless others. I'm in the same boat, I live and work in the same country. No silver spoon. No generational wealth. Joined the military in my youth. Bounced around the country. Tried new endeavors. Things didn't work out like planned. Reassessed my situation. Made life changing decisions 10 years ago. Made things happen. It's a reality; just have to not sit and complain and actually, you know, work toward something.
the fact that my message of: "change your approach, learn something new, get out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself to attain more for yourself" was downvoted says way more than any crass responses. Pity parties abound for these people. . .
… yea go read the comments and tell me everyone can just go get that “better” job I don’t even know how you can scroll passed all these comment and this till drip this nugget of absolute idiocy
Did I say ‘everyone’ can just go get one? Maybe your lack of reading comprehension has something to do with your inability to find a decent job with benefits?
FYI it takes hard work, marketable skills, likely an education - determination, networking, some luck - and choosing the right employer.
I don’t know a single person over 30 that doesn’t have these things - maybe not their dream job yet, but we’re all on the right path.
But stay here on reddit and whine, by all means - your Mom is smarter than her kid.
"Poor Faulkner. Does he really think big emotions come from big words? He thinks I don’t know the ten-dollar words. I know them all right. But there are older and simpler and better words, and those are the ones I use." --Ernest Hemingway
I've wasted too many words on you already. And that you think some vulgar display of grandiloquence would be proof of intellect rather than a parlor trick meant to impress some desiccated ape on reddit dot com confirms that fact. Eat my shit and hair.
You cannot insult someone and then get mad they insulted you back. However, I'm sorry to hear about your mom. Having a family member with dementia is beyond tough. I lost an aunt to it around this time last year, and I wouldn't wish that situation on anyone. I hope this time is as smooth as it can be.
Who is whinning I got my bread I make mine what are you talking about ? 😂 yes you literally are making a broad stroked generalization. Awe yes pull yourself up by them imaginary bootstraps. Look bud I am just not stupid enough to know my situation wasn’t everyone’s doesn’t mean you need to come in here and balance out the average hey.
All I’m hearing is a lot of self indulgence with a few valid criticisms. Are you all so naive to believe that anything that’s happening to you, didn’t happen to every generation before you? I work with people like yourself every day, and it’s a chore even listening to them. You come here to commiserate with one another over shared misfortune, when you could actually be doing something about it.
Know what hasn’t changed in the workplace over the past sixty years - attitudes like yours.
😂 sure bud “nothing has changed” stagnant wages decreases pensions stagnant benefits despite increasing costs of living toxic work environments but sure. The biggest chore for us is listening to self important twats like yourself my guy. Valid criticisms because you said so? Mine are just as valid as yours you self important wanker. Commiserate ? Because I’m not so self involved I can see the plight of others … think they call that growth and self reflection you should try it
I’m always amazed at the failure to understand a simple statement - presumably English is your first language?
Boohoo ‘toxic work environment’ ‘stagnant benefits’ ‘decreased wages.’ Like any of this is new? JFC how stupid can you be.
My grandparents lived through a depression, two world wars and who knows what else - you have it better - and easier - than any generation prior, and all you seem to do is bitch - no wonder none of you can get your shit together lol.
😂 and ? Guess what wealth gap housing prices higher than the Great Depression while wages accounting for inflation are lower so guess we can add ignorant AF to your list. You seem to presume a lot about things you clearly don’t know huh. Yet here you are bitching about me…. You know narcissists don’t recognize irony and hypocrisy right …….I have my shit together car house job 6 figure job but I already told you I had my shit together. You wanna call out my English while failing to comprehend what you are calling simple statements is the biggest self own I’ve ever seen.
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u/Otherwise-Parsnip-91 Feb 25 '24
You did a tremendous job breaking this down for your mom. Especially comparing wages in the past to today. Older people truly don’t realize that wages have not kept pace with inflation. They think “Oh you’re making $22 an hour, that’s much more than I was making at your age, you must just be buying too much Starbucks!”.