This new book called "Squeezed" looks really good. Does anyone feel like the middle class is slowly getting pushed out? Is it harder to get a house, kids, and an education than it was 30 years ago?
[amazon.com]
I will definitely get a copy to read - and, yes, the middle class which was the large, driving economic force that propelled our economy to all time highs has been shrinking year by year. I used to be surprised to hear of couples making quite a lot of money between the two of them having so much trouble keeping their heads above water. Now I wonder if its not partly because they are products of the "instant gratification" generation??? Young couples used to rent and save money until they could afford a "starter home". Now newlyweds buy McMansions - justified by needing to be in the best school districts, etc. - most have student loans hanging over their heads - and of course, big car payments....so nothing much surprises me anymore.
There are more applicants than ever for university places here in the UK, so I don’t entirely agree. It seems that in my day it wasn’t so necessary to have a degree to be considered for most jobs outside of teaching, medicine and law. Those with degrees do on average earn more over a lifetime than those without.....in UK student loans are only paid back when the graduate reaches a certain pay threshold, which I think is a fair system.
Of course it's more expensive now. Everyone know that. Millennials are screwed.