Generation Jones: Why So Many Boomers Are BROKE

Comments · 1.3K

• RA

  @raybayes9462 · 1 month ago

  I’m amazed someone younger was able to finally explain the different lived experiences of the early vs late boomers.

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• D.

  @d.e.b.b5788 · 1 month ago

  My brother was born in 1951. When he got out of high school, my parents still had a mortgage on the house. He got grants for college. I was born in 1956. When I got out of high school over five years later than he did, the house was paid off, so I guess the government figured we had lots of money. I wasn't eligible for any of that, so I had to work all through college. Same family, five years apart. Brother graduated in 4 years. It took me six and a half, working full time all the way through. He bought a house in 1976 for $40,000. Mortgage rate 7.5%. We bought a similar house in 1983, for $88,000, mortgage rate 14.5%.  All his life, he treated me like a loser because I was always financially strapped. Neither he nor my parents could get it through their heads, that we were subject to completely different financial situations.

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• JA

  @janellloveslionheadbunnies1945 · 1 month ago

  I’m Generation Jones and there were no lies told here!!!

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• CA

  @carlmelville · 1 month ago (edited)

  Thank you. Born in 1961, I was in second grade during Woodstock, never had a draft number, and entered the workforce with double-digit unemployment, 18% mortgage rates, and runaway inflation. When we did find jobs, pensions were already ancient history. So tired of hearing how great and easy we had it. Get over it. Well told.

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• NO

  @NoreenN7076 · 1 month ago

  Generation Jones aligns more with older Gen Xers than older Boomers.

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• JA

  @jade2078 · 1 month ago

  It's not an accident that Social Security and Medicare are about to go bust just when Gen Jones is ready to retire.

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• JU

  @July.4.1776 · 3 weeks ago

  Brother is a old boomer 11 years older than me.. He has a pension.. I have none..

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• JE

  @jeffstover7747 · 1 month ago

  Born in '62. Graduated high school and then had to keep my part-time job at a small grocery store for 3 years because in 1980-83, there was nothing else!! Had to play catch-up my entire life.

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• LM

  @LMae-rj9qi · 1 month ago (edited)

  Born 1962. Saw my father lose so many factory jobs. He finally depended on the farm he worked for my grandparents and a position at one of the grain processing plants until he was medically retired. My mom was medically retired from teaching in her early 30s. We didn't have a lot growing up but because of my parents' love and support, I always felt secure and knew I'd land somewhere and be ok as an adult. Just finished my 40th year teaching in higher ed. at various types institutions.  I have 36 years on the books with the institution I'm with now. .Been living in the same starter home for 26 years. I believe I've made a difference and have helped lots of people. In addition, I  try very hard not to compare myself with others' success. That keeps me feeling position. Even more importantly, I praise God for where he's brought me.

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• CA

  @Cat_Dog_Lady · 1 month ago (edited)

  Don't forget the lack of resources for the millions of us fighting to get into schools. In grade school they had to build portables outside to accommodate us. In my first year of college one of my classes had 700 students and they had to use the convocation hall to seat us. Other smaller classes of 300 had us sitting on steps. No room squeezed everywhere, no summer jobs. I bought my house at age 50, hoping to retire at age 67. By the way, we are way more flexible and resilient than any other generation. Born in1961.

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• MA

  @markkaplan2133 · 1 month ago

  Excellent recap.  As a Generation Joneser, I can only shake my head at the drastic differences you cover here.  Wow.

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• DI

  @dianebarone1542 · 1 month ago

  Born in 1962 and cannot relate at all to Baby Boomers.

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