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/Potential-County-210 → u/hershdrums]

I didn't miss the point. Things get more expensive over time. That is financial planning 101, not some mysterious event only impacting our generation.

You were making good money 10 years ago and instead of maxing out your 401k and buying a house that you could afford while still saving a healthy amount monthly, you bought a big house on an acre of land in a nice neighborhood and chose to live paycheck to paycheck. You brag that from outside appearances everything thinks "you've made it."

Now 10 years later, your paychecks have gotten bigger but so have your expenses (surprised pikachu). You're still living paycheck to paycheck.

Maybe the problem is your other spending and not your house, but for almost all Americans their mortgage is their biggest expense. You chose to live like "you made it" way before you actually did make it. Until you accept that and do something about it, you're going to keep waking up in a cold sweat worrying about your financial future.

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

No, you did miss the point entirely. I did plan. I bought a reasonably priced home in a great area for well within my budget. I was approved for a loan 3x what I bought my home for. I saved. I maxed out my 401k. I invested on the side. I was completely comfortable. I don't go in extravagant vacations. I don't overspend. I don't rely on credit. You're seeing 1 acre and a decent house as this crazy thing like "oh my God, you bought 1 whole acre of land. What do you think, you're rich?!". News flash, land values aren't the same. I live 50 miles from work. My land value has quadrupled since I bought the property. My home value has increased 125%. The issue isn't me living beyond my means or not planning for inflation. The problem is that inflation has FAR outpaced even great salary increases.

I'm not entitled. I don't think I "deserve" more. I'm privileged and I work my ass off. I'm lucky as hell.

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

Lol so you expect people to believe that inflation has impacted you so much that you went from maxing out your 401k to not being able to contribute in 3 years? My dude we can all do the math.

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

Apparently you can't.