Wow, you get a pension?  You must have been a government employee.  Most retirees will be getting only their 401K

I think he is using the government's Cosumer Price Index (CPI), which shows inflation at less than 2%.  I'm not debating that the CPI adequately reflects what most middle class consumers buy, but that is the official statistic used for inflation.

Cut your expenses.  stop eating

Of course, if you live your ilfe and don't save for retirement, you should probably save a couple of bucks to buy some bullets because your going to run out of money very quick (you actually won't be able to retire).

I'm not sure that high speed rail has proven to be econmically viable without huge government subsidy (in both original investment and ongoing operation).  Japan may be an exception, but I believe Europe still takes gas $ taxes and subsidizes the trains.  This makes driving cars more expensive and riding trains less ex...more

And costs for (CA) state universities are rising rapidly because the state is broke and has been consistentlylowering the level of funding for the system over the past decade or more.

@Pete, no inflation?    OK, just keep drinking the Kool-Aid.   WRT blood in the streets, why do you suppose the US Defense Department is investing in "non-lethal crowd dispersion" devices like the Raytheon millimeter wave gun?  Do you really think it is to disperse riots in Afghanistan?

1)  Jobs pay less (adjusted for inflation) compared to 20 years ago 2)  Education costs more (even adjusted for inflation) compared to 20 years ago.   If you take on debt for college, make sure there is some payoff down the road, or don't do it (or don't complain about it if you do it).

Yes, you are right.  It is harder now.  But it is what it is.  Like I tell my daughter, complaining that it is harder doesn't make it easier and it doesn't help you succeed.    The skewing of the wealth towards the richest members skews the averages as well.  We should consider medians to take the skewing out of th...more