That's just it. Jobs don't pay enough to match inflation. When my dad was on his mid 20's back in the early 80's, he was making 30,000 a year as a flight instructor when his first mortgage was 80,000 for an older small house. Fast forward 25 years, my dad has averaged a six figure salary for the better part of the last 15 years, meanwhile at 25, I was making $14 an hour (29,000 a year) and a mortgage averages in the 350,000 range. I'd love to know in what world $14 an hour is a livable income for a family, and even two parents at that rate wouldn't even break 60,000 together. Couldn't get a mortgage at that rate for a house these days either. I know as a single male, I can only get approved for about $110,000 which won't buy you anything right now.