The younger generation seems to require more, no doubt inspired by MTV Cribs. For example, my sister-in-law requires a larger house furnished entirely by Restoration Hardware, whereas my parents bought a ranch furnished with DIY furniture kits.
Back then job benefits were good, salaries for educated (especially in science and engineering like him and myself) were increasing rapidly. Believe it or not, standards of living were high for many, especially when you consider the cost of necessities like health and car insurance, and of course the much lower cost of education.
....
Education cost inflation - beyond anything your dad could ever imagine - is a huge problem in the US ...but market forces will solve this most likely in a very unpleasant way. Health insurance costs are another issue. These are the two primary culprits I see causing trouble. Yes, its probably unfortunately true that future generations will have a much tougher time....
