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You are so right. I'm 19-years-old and I am MISERABLE at my PT job in retail. I go to school full-time and I'm trying so hard to balance school and work and a little of life (which seems impossible). I get very short breaks and I'm constantly being mistreated at work.
I knew it was going to be hard finding a job when the economy crashed but didn't think it was THIS hard. It took me almost three years to finally find a job and now that I finally have, I am miserable there. I feel nothing but torment and it's so painful. I blame the greediness of corporate America. If people didn't want more and more, the country probably wouldn't become like this. I'm extremely frightened about my future when I get out of school.
I hate to disappoint you, but it really doesn't get any better as you get older. You might make more money, but your expenses also rise, especially if you decide to have children. Eventually, you learn to forget about money. You just give up and try to live the best life you can that fits within your budget. It's best to find cheap ways to have an enjoyable time like going to the park, working out, going for walks, etc.
And don't blame corporations solely... The average Ameican who continues to shop at Walmart has a stake in the blame. We the consumer seek the best value, and the corporations provide. If a corporation came along and tried to break the trend by making high quality goods made in the U.S.A, you wouldn't buy from them, because most of us couldn't afford them...
I hate to disappoint you, but it really doesn't get any better as you get older. You might make more money, but your expenses also rise, especially if you decide to have children. Eventually, you learn to forget about money. You just give up and try to live the best life you can that fits within your budget. It's best to find cheap ways to have an enjoyable time like going to the park, working out, going for walks, etc.
And don't blame corporations solely... The average Ameican who continues to shop at Walmart has a stake in the blame. We the consumer seek the best value, and the corporations provide. If a corporation came along and tried to break the trend by making high quality goods made in the U.S.A, you wouldn't buy from them, because most of us couldn't afford them...
My wife loves San Antonio Shoes, they are of the highest quality and made right here in America. San Antonio, Texas to be exact.
Imagine that, shoes made in America!
But I know they are not cheap and while my wife (who is worth every cent might I add) won't show me the receipts my guess is they run between $100 and $200 a pair.
Next time she goes I am going too. Last pair of shoes I purchased hurt my feet and no, I did not get them at Wal Mart.
So the American shopper has a choice, travel 50 miles to find an SAS store (we have to travel 120 miles) to spend $150 on a pair of shoes or head off to the local Wal Mart where you can get a Made in China pair for $20?
People should not blame corporate America, they are completely innocent, but should look in the mirror instead.
You might make more money, but your expenses also rise, especially if you decide to have children.
I think the statistics show that children and family formation are increasingly getting cut out of the loop. It's an interesting trend. In a time of greater material abundance than decades ago, it has actually become way more difficult and costly to finance the raising of kids. To the point where many younger people are simply deciding not to do it at all.
I think the statistics show that children and family formation are increasingly getting cut out of the loop. It's an interesting trend. In a time of greater material abundance than decades ago, it has actually become way more difficult and costly to finance the raising of kids. To the point where many younger people are simply deciding not to do it at all.
It used to vary more than it does now. Childbearing appears to be falling off at all income and educational levels over the past few years, though not as much as the very top end, perhaps because that rate of childbearing wasn't as high to begin with.
In any case, the percentage of people under 30 with a bachelor's degree or more is still only around 35% or so, which means that in any discussion of trends, most of it will involve people without college degrees.
It used to vary more than it does now. Childbearing appears to be falling off at all income and educational levels over the past few years, though not as much as the very top end, perhaps because that rate of childbearing wasn't as high to begin with.
In any case, the percentage of people under 30 with a bachelor's degree or more is still only around 35% or so, which means that in any discussion of trends, most of it will involve people without college degrees.
I believe it's about 30% but you are right about it being the minority.
You did mention family formation also which is decreasing in lower income brackets while higher income are still marrying at similar levels. Obviously that will create a much bigger class gap if it continues.
And don't blame corporations solely... The average Ameican who continues to shop at Walmart has a stake in the blame.
Yes and no.
A couple things are flawed with your point.
In many parts of the country, the only places available for people to shop at are the Walmarts and TArgets (due to unfair competition, monopolization).
Also, it's a catch as well because many Americans, between inflation and stagnant wages, can only afford TO shop at Walmart (and ultimately, they don't have a choice in shopping at the more expensive mom & pop store when they must choose between buying necessities). There was an article recently released a few months ago where Walmart was whining about their shoppers running out of money. The fact that even Walmart notices their customers' pockets are running on low really reveals the real problem.
In many parts of the country, the only places available for people to shop at are the Walmarts and TArgets (due to unfair competition, monopolization).
Also, it's a catch as well because many Americans, between inflation and stagnant wages, can only afford TO shop at Walmart (and ultimately, they don't have a choice in shopping at the more expensive mom & pop store when they must choose between buying necessities). There was an article recently released a few months ago where Walmart was whining about their shoppers running out of money. The fact that even Walmart notices their customers' pockets are running on low really reveals the real problem.
Products can always be bought online. Obviously precise can be an issue.
In many parts of the country, the only places available for people to shop at are the Walmarts and TArgets (due to unfair competition, monopolization).
Also, it's a catch as well because many Americans, between inflation and stagnant wages, can only afford TO shop at Walmart (and ultimately, they don't have a choice in shopping at the more expensive mom & pop store when they must choose between buying necessities). There was an article recently released a few months ago where Walmart was whining about their shoppers running out of money. The fact that even Walmart notices their customers' pockets are running on low really reveals the real problem.
Your looking at it from a present standpoint. This problem has been decades in the making.
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