Millennials didn’t ruin the economy—they just had to survive a broken one.
Boomers love to call Millennials lazy, entitled, or bad with money, but they rarely acknowledge how drastically the world changed between their generation and the next. Millennials weren’t handed the same economic stability, affordable education, or booming job market. Instead, they stepped into adulthood burdened by crushing student debt, skyrocketing housing costs, and wages that never kept up.
Survival wasn’t about working hard and buying a house by 25—it was about adapting to a system that made traditional success nearly impossible. Side hustles, financial anxiety, and a complete shift in priorities became the norm. While Boomers reminisce about their first homes and pensions, Millennials have had to redefine what stability even looks like.
Here are thirteen ways this generation had to fight just to keep their heads above water.
1. Sky-high student debt made college a financial trap.
Boomers could work a summer job and graduate debt-free, but Millennials took on massive student loans just to get a degree, as reported by David Goldstein at Vox. The price of tuition skyrocketed, forcing many young adults to start their careers already buried in debt. For years, they were told that college was the only path to success, yet even with a degree, stable jobs weren’t guaranteed.
This debt wasn’t just a temporary burden—it shaped major life decisions. Homeownership, marriage, and starting families were often delayed or completely out of reach because of the financial strain. While Boomers see Millennials as irresponsible spenders, the reality is that many have spent their entire adult lives trying to pay off an education that was supposed to secure their future.
2. The housing market became completely unattainable.
Boomers love to talk about how they bought their first home for the cost of a used car, but those days are long gone. By the time Millennials entered the market, home prices had soared to levels that made saving for a down payment feel impossible, according to Mike Winters at CNBC. Even those who managed to scrape together enough cash found themselves competing with investors and skyrocketing mortgage rates.
Renting wasn’t much better. Prices climbed while wages stagnated, making it harder to save for the future. Many Millennials had no choice but to live with roommates well into their 30s, something previous generations would have considered unthinkable. Yet, Boomers still wonder why Millennials aren’t buying houses.
3. The job market collapsed just as they entered the workforce.
Millennials graduated into one of the worst job markets in modern history. The 2008 financial crisis wiped out opportunities, leaving many stuck in low-paying jobs that didn’t match their education. Instead of climbing the corporate ladder, they spent years underemployed, struggling to gain experience in a world that had no space for them, as stated by Forbes.
By the time the economy recovered, wages hadn’t. Millennials were expected to be grateful for entry-level salaries that barely covered rent, let alone savings or investments. Meanwhile, Boomers criticized them for not buying homes or starting families, failing to see how economic reality had shifted beneath their feet.
4. Healthcare costs made basic medical care a luxury.
Boomers had affordable health insurance through their jobs, but Millennials weren’t so lucky. Many had to navigate a system that tied healthcare to employment—meaning if they lost their job, they lost their coverage. Even those with insurance faced high deductibles and rising prescription costs that made basic medical care a financial burden.
Preventative care often took a backseat because Millennials simply couldn’t afford it. Many skipped doctor visits, ignored health issues, or racked up medical debt they couldn’t pay off. Yet, Boomers still act surprised when Millennials express frustration over a system that treats healthcare as a privilege instead of a right.
5. Unpaid internships replaced real job opportunities.
For Boomers, entry-level jobs actually paid. But by the time Millennials entered the workforce, unpaid internships had become the new normal. Companies expected young workers to trade free labor for “experience,” often requiring them to work full-time hours with no pay or benefits.
These internships were supposed to lead to jobs, but many didn’t. Instead, they created a cycle where only those who could afford to work for free got ahead, while others were stuck taking low-paying jobs just to survive. The idea of working hard and being rewarded simply didn’t apply anymore.
6. Side hustles became a necessity, not a choice.
Boomers had one job that paid the bills. Millennials needed at least two. The rise of gig work meant that in order to afford basic expenses, many young adults turned to side hustles—driving for Uber, freelancing online, or selling products just to make ends meet.
What was once considered extra income became a requirement for survival. The pressure to monetize every skill or free moment became exhausting, yet Boomers continued to accuse Millennials of being lazy.
7. Work-life balance became an impossible dream.
Boomers had stable 9-to-5 jobs with pensions and benefits. Millennials entered a world of contract work, remote jobs with blurred boundaries, and an expectation to be available 24/7. The idea of leaving work at the office didn’t exist anymore—emails, Slack messages, and project deadlines followed them everywhere.
Burnout became the norm, yet many Millennials felt lucky just to have a job. Employers took advantage of their desperation, pushing unpaid overtime and unrealistic expectations while offering little in return.
8. Marriage and kids became financial risks.
Boomers got married young and bought homes soon after. Millennials looked at the numbers and realized it wasn’t so simple. With student debt, high rent, and stagnant wages, getting married and having kids felt less like a milestone and more like a financial gamble.
Raising a child now costs more than it ever has, and many Millennials had to choose between financial stability and starting a family. Yet, Boomers still ask why birth rates are dropping, failing to connect the dots.
9. Social security might not be there when they need it.
Boomers retired with pensions and the promise of Social Security, but Millennials aren’t so lucky. They’ve paid into a system that may not support them when it’s their turn to retire. The idea of relying on Social Security feels like a joke when they’ve watched their parents collect benefits while politicians warn it could run out.
Instead of counting on government programs, Millennials have been forced to figure out their own retirement plans—if they can even afford to save. Meanwhile, Boomers continue to collect checks, often without acknowledging that future generations might not be so fortunate.
10. Inflation made saving money a losing battle.
A dollar stretched further for Boomers, but Millennials have watched inflation chip away at their earnings. Every year, housing, food, transportation, and healthcare get more expensive, while wages barely budge.
Even those who manage to save find that their money doesn’t go as far. Investing is risky, traditional savings accounts offer laughable interest rates, and financial security feels impossible to achieve.
11. Mental health struggles were dismissed as weakness.
Boomers grew up in a “tough it out” culture, but Millennials had to fight for mental health to be taken seriously. Therapy, medication, and self-care were often seen as indulgences rather than necessities, even though stress, anxiety, and burnout were at all-time highs.
Talking about mental health still carries stigma, especially when older generations dismiss it as whining. But for Millennials, addressing these issues is about survival, not luxury.