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My father was an engineer. When the economy in Michigan took a dive, he went through about 4 years of unemployment. He made tons of money though so he considered it semi retirement. He went back to work a couple years ago and now services commercial and industrial refrigeration units. He seems to like it enough, even though he's not making near what he used to. He enjoys the lack of stress, the company vehicle, etc. My mother works as a medical assistant. She actually makes pretty decent money for a rather low paying profession.
One of my grandfathers was a mold maker. He got into the profession after serving in WW2. Started as an apprentice and worked his way up to foreman over the years and made great money. He retired at 55 and died at 89. In the end, without my grandmother working, there was about 1.2 million left to his children. That should give everyone an idea of what skilled mold makers earned back in the "good ol days".
My other grandfather served in the marines during the Korean war. After leaving the service, he bounced around a bit. He worked in a heat treating plant for awhile, but eventually started working for a school district. Much the same as my other grandfather, he climbed the ranks. Eventually, he became the district superintendent for the buses. His wife worked for General Motors for about 30 years. Both received great pensions and lived very comfortably.
Ahh... The good ol days. When you didn't need to invest thousands to climb the ranks. You just needed a brain and a work ethic. And even then, a work ethic could keep the refrigerator stuffed
Ahh... The good ol days. When you didn't need to invest thousands to climb the ranks. You just needed a brain and a work ethic. And even then, a work ethic could keep the refrigerator stuffed
There's a big difference between being a baby boomer and a Gen Xer.
From what I have seen, educated and/or semi-competent baby boomers were provided with enough jobs and pensions to live out at least a comfortable life.
But the baby boomers are hurting, people who are in their 50s right now. I've seen so many people in their 50s who have no job, no retirement, no house, and no spouse. They have grown kids themselves and yet need to live with their own parents. So, three generations under one roof. Sometimes the little one is the breadwinner. Kind of sad.
And it wasn't really even about climbing the ranks. Posters here have cited examples of their parents being run of the mill, non management employees, which was good enough back then.
With these new generations, there's going to be a lot of people depending on their kids to take care of them for many years. I'd like to see posters go up to them and ask them if 75K is enough to 'live'?
Paternal Grandfather - dropped out of HS to support his family working as a butcher. He fought in the Battle of Okinawa in WW2 as a Naval Amphibious Warrior and then became an insurance salesman in NY until he retired in his 50's, after owning his own home and putting four kids through college. (He had no education past 10th grade)
Paternal Grandmother - homemaker of four children and later a preschool teacher. (Graduated HS)
Maternal Grandfather - worked for Pan American Airlines and was killed when Fight 1-10 went down in Ireland in April of 1948.
Maternal Grandmother - graduated HS at sixteen and became a Registered Nurse. Worked as a school nurse until she was 75 years old.
Father - Masters Degree in Psychology - worked as very successful business owner until January 2007 when he sold the business due to the recession.
Mother - B.S. in nursing - always worked part time as a nurse.
There's a big difference between being a baby boomer and a Gen Xer.
From what I have seen, educated and/or semi-competent baby boomers were provided with enough jobs and pensions to live out at least a comfortable life.
But the baby boomers are hurting, people who are in their 50s right now. I've seen so many people in their 50s who have no job, no retirement, no house, and no spouse. They have grown kids themselves and yet need to live with their own parents. So, three generations under one roof. Sometimes the little one is the breadwinner. Kind of sad.
And it wasn't really even about climbing the ranks. Posters here have cited examples of their parents being run of the mill, non management employees, which was good enough back then.
With these new generations, there's going to be a lot of people depending on their kids to take care of them for many years. I'd like to see posters go up to them and ask them if 75K is enough to 'live'?
I see much the same thing. It doesn't seem to be putting a damper on our lust for consumption because all the stores are packed. Heck, people are still driving nice, newish looking cars. I think one of the big differences today is people don't save up for major purchases like before. Credit cards became popular under Reagan due to lax restrictions and reform. Basically added fuel to the keeping up with the Jonses syndrome. As our economic foundation continued to slide, credit has basically filled in the gaps that existed when the money really wasn't there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rumble
MOTHER - Engineer 25 years (no college degree!)
Same with my dad. Pretty much why he no longer works as an engineer! I have worked with several engineers still working who have no degrees though.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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My father was a Electronics Engineer, his father worked at a roof shingle factory, his mother stayed home. My mother mostly stayed home with 9 kids but also taught oil painting classes. Her father owned a grocery store, her mother stayed home but worked their farm.
Parents:
(Father) - College Graduate - Managed then owned country clubs; became self employed
(Mother) - College Graduate/MBA - Dietician - Got married - SAHM
Maternal Grandparents:
(Grandfather) - Owner of Hardware Store
(Grandmother) - SAHM
Paternal Grandparents:
(Grandfather) - College Graduate - RH Donnelly - Ad Man; then formed his own ad agency
(Grandmother) - SAHM
I am a baby boomer but remember, there is an 18 year range. I'm in the middle to end but not too many people I know were lucky enough to have pensions, however, if you worked in government or teaching, that would have been a good choice. I was fortunate to get a 401K at one place but mostly, I've been self employed (not complaining).
mother - Clinical laboratory scientist
father - Pharmacist
maternal grandfather - carpenter, after his heart attack taught carpentry/metal working and active in the union.
maternal grandmother - myriad of jobs, mostly clerical in offices, librarian.
maternal step grandmother - pianist, taught music in elementary school and then piano lessons in retirement.
paternal grandfather - heavy equipment mechanic. Worked on tanks as a civilian contractor, later worked on mine equipment mostly the uranium mines.
paternal grandmother - homemaker.
Mom - CNA and then worked at Nursing homes as an Activities Director.
Dad - works at Harris Corp dealing with their alarm systems.
Maternal Grandma - was a SAHM for many years and then worked at a phone company.
Maternal Grandfather - was in the Navy for four years then worked at the LIRR and two other jobs doing I don't what. (they had 7 kids)
Paternal Grandfather - Tried his hand at being a pop singer in the early 50's and then after that worked at Northrup Grumman in Procurement.
Paternal Grandma - worked at Record Co making Records.
Mother - Housewife, she didn't even have a driver's license
Father - worked in the mill
Paternal Grandfather - Farmer
Paternal Grandmother - housewife (when you use the term housewife for a farmer's wife that is a misnomer, lots of hard work)
Maternal Grandfather - Medical Doctor
Maternal Grandmother - Farmer (yes she & the 8 children plowed, planted & harvested and always had a beautiful flower garden and plenty of food)
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