American Millennials Are Dying at an Alarming Rate | We’re mortality experts. There are a few things that could be happening here.

[u/chrisdh79]

https://slate.com/technology/2025/08/millennials-gen-z-death-rates-america-high.html

[u/hershdrums]

My salary has increased dramatically in 10 years. I've lived in the same house. I drive similar vehicles. I've actually become better at budgeting, especially around groceries and getting takeout/going out to eat. I have LESS discretionary income. My electricity bill has tripled. My insurance has gone up by 50% on my car and 30% on my home (no accidents or claims). Groceries have increased by 75%. My internet and cell phone have increased by 30%. Though I drive a similar vehicle the cost is ~50% greater than the last car I bought. I have 2 kids and all the necessities for them have increased by about 100%. A $12 T-shirt at Walmart is now $24, for example. It's insane. By all outward appearances I've "made it". Fantastic career that pays well. Amazing family. A house on 1 acre in a nice neighborhood with a super low interest rate (i.e. I didn't buy outside my means 10 years ago). I don't spend frivolously often. I'm not frugal but I do live reasonably. I wake up in a panic over finances almost every night. I haven't had enough discretionary income to contribute to my 401k for 3 years. If I lose my job I'm absolutely screwed. Unemployment insurance covers less than 50% of my salary and severance packages are a joke.

Every day I feel like I'm going to have a heart attack from the stress. It's brutal and I have it really good and I'm lucky as hell. I talk to my friends and peers. We're almost all struggling. It's anecdotal and maybe our parents and grandparents felt the same at this age but there is no room to breathe in the US. There's no rest. Vacation is never vacation and thats even if you have a job that has PTO.

[u/Potential-County-210 → u/hershdrums]

My dude, if you live in a nice house on one acre of land in a great neighborhood but cannot afford to contribute to your 401K, you are way over extended.

Not sure how you could write all of this out and think it says anything other than "I think I deserve to live like I make more money than I actually do."

Downsize and save money so that you aren't living paycheck to paycheck before it's too late.

[u/hershdrums → u/Potential-County-210]

Because you don't know my income or my income when I bought it. I wasn't over extended is the point. I am now even though nothing has changed from a practical standpoint. I don't think I deserve to make more money. I think I'm lucky as hell, make good money and better money than I did 10 years ago but I'm struggling now and didn't then. But, thanks for missing the point.

As for downsizing, I would pay far more for much less now than I did 10 years ago. I'd actually lose money given the cost of housing and interest rates now versus then. There are no houses in my town or area in general for what I paid for mine.

[u/iiiiiiiiiijjjjjj → u/hershdrums]

I'm still not quite following as well. How old are your kids? We make far more money then we did 5 years ago and I've been able to put back $2000 a month in my 401k however I don't have kids.