Millennials: We Are Real Life Broke!

Millennials: We Are Real Life Broke!

LMAO! I’m sorry, but this GIF took me out lol. Heeyyy y’all! It’s your favorite Journal Blogger! So, here’s an update with me: I’ve been in Houston for almost two months and I’ve truly come to the realization that I’m broke af yo! Seriously, I sat down and really factored in all my bills, rent, and everything else that I need money for only to come to realization that I am broke! As I sit here and listen to J. Cole’s “ATM”, I realized how money is truly a hell of a drug, how much I need it as well as any other millennial and I realize now why we have 65 side hustles at a time.

I was reading an article from Vice.com and it talks about how millennials are way poorer than boomers ever were. A new analysis found that young Americans (us Millennials) today are making 20 percent less than baby boomers were at the same age. According to the advocacy group Young Invincibles, despite millennials being the largest and best educated generation in the country, we are far worse off financially than baby boomers were, bringing about a troubling financial future for young people throughout their lifetime.

The analysis also shows that after looking at 2013 Federal Reserve data for 25 to 34-year-olds and comparing it with the same age group back in 1989 (the year I was born), found that millennials today are making a median income of around $40,000, a 20 percent drop from what baby boomers were earning when they also had twice the number of assets that millennials have now.

Millennials are more burdened by student loans and less likely to own a home, choosing instead to move back in with their parents (yeah, not this girl). And even though we’re well educated, entering into the job market during one of the worst recessions since the Great Depression has resulted in lower starting wages, which could lead to an overall stunted standard of living. As far as solutions, the analysis offered suggestions such as raising the federal minimum wage, offering paid family and medical leave, and providing more apprenticeships for middle-class jobs. The trip part about all of this is that the study also found that, despite how expensive college is, it’s still a good investment. College grads with student debt own homes at a higher rate than baby boomers did in 1989 and they are currently saving more for retirement than those without a degree.

Bruh…

…real shit, if it weren’t for the side hustles of Uber, Lyft and anything else that’s legal, we as millennials would stay broke. I’m getting ready to start a side hustle my damn self  selling t-shirts. Let’s be real, all the classes in the world couldn’t prepare millennials for this being broke shit, but life definitely did. I think being broke has taught millennials the beauty in the struggle because I promise, this time in my life right now is a big ass struggle, but it makes for stronger character. It forces us to hustle and to get it by any means necessary and that’s something I’m starting to realize. You never realize how broke you are until you find yourself eating sunny-side up eggs and cauliflower rice for dinner because that’s all that was in your fridge, along with frozen grilled chicken strips -insert shaking head emoji-. Still, I wouldn’t change being broke, but please believe I ain’t bout to stay broke.

…and Blair You Have It! Look out for Bee Got The Tee! It’s my very first line of shirts. Also, if y’all like me as much as I think y’all do and y’all truly like reading what I have to say, check out more of my posts on Styrad Magazine at stymag.com! You may not know what it means, but you won’t forget it! Leave your comments at the bottom. Tell me about your broke experience lol.