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The Times, the British daily national newspaper, recently shared a link on Twitter to an article on a survey demonstrating the attitudes of different generations on housing, and while the tweet didn’t blow up likes-wise, many people came to the comments to say their piece.

According to the research by the Policy Institute and Institute of Gerontology at King's College London, 52 percent of the baby boomer population agrees with the statement that the main reason young people can’t save up for a down payment to get a house is that they spend too much on things like “takeaway coffees and food, mobile phones, subscription services like Netflix and holidays abroad.”

Final score:

224points

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Stacey Rae 2 years ago

Lol you made me laugh. I'm sorry it's so financially hard. If the billionaires would share the money...

39points

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Final score:

218points

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beesechurger elite 2 years ago

Mic drop.

28points

It seems that this view went down a generation as even millennials themselves started to believe in this, and 48 percent of them agreed with baby boomers. The youngest adults, Gen Z, are not far behind, with 43 percent of them thinking that if they want to get a home, they should review their small spendings.

The survey also asked, “To what extent, if at all, do you agree or disagree with the following? The key reasons that young adults today cannot afford to buy their own home are things like the increase in house prices, stricter lending rules and low wage growth,” and surprisingly, 72 percent of boomers acknowledged that the skyrocketing prices are also a contributor to the problem.

Final score:

202points

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Jill Sophia 2 years ago

How many Baby Boomers did the Times interview when they posted those headlines? Because they certainly weren't speaking for all of us! We're Baby Boomers (retired teacher and retired office worker), we often order out food, and yes, we have Netflix; so does our son — a Millennial who works hard at a demanding job — and so does his GF and most of their friends. Their generation, and Gen Z as well, are faced with stresses and demands that Boomers like us didn't have to deal with; it's much harder for them to find decent-paying jobs, and the 2008 recession plus the current pandemic haven't helped either. I will not criticize any hardworking young person for having Netflix, ordering takeout food, or (for that matter) buying avocados — small comforts that we all need to make our lives better in this crazy world. Mstrtheir

96points

Final score:

201points

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Ozacoter 2 years ago (edited)

Exactly. Changes have increased a lot. About 20 years ago my aunts bought a big 3 bedroom appartment (in good condition) in the centrum of our city for what now would be like 140.000 euros. I just checked and there is a similar apartment (but old) in the same street for 800k. How is our fault that we cannot afford houses? I do not earn eight times what they earned.

37points

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Final score:

197points

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Dash Blue 2 years ago

Really? I have been with Netflix since the early dvd days. The fabulous riches I could have been experiencing if I had never signed up.

37points

Even though baby boomers acknowledged that not being able to afford houses is a complex problem consisting of factors that do and don’t depend on younger people, they still have the view that they are less motivated and hardworking than older coworkers. 54 percent of them have formed such an impression about their younger colleagues, although 34 percent didn’t see a difference in motivation and only 4 percent noticed them being more motivated.

It is really annoying for younger people to be blamed for not being able to afford a home because of occasionally spending money on things that bring them happiness and help to cope with stress.

But they should feel a little bit of consolation knowing that 81 percent of boomers, the biggest percentage of all generations questioned, admitted that young adults today have a harder time buying a home compared to their parents.

Final score:

168points

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Rhyme Like A Lime 2 years ago

It's those damned streaming services that cost $10 a month, obviously if we can cancel that we can afford a $350,000 starter home

48points

Final score:

164points

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Mia D 2 years ago

Not forget to mention the average cost of raising a child (0 to 17 y.o) is 233K in the US. My neighbors paid literally 100K for a preschool/kindergarten in 5 years! My other neighbors pay 2900 us dollars a month for Montessori academy (it is sort of preschool-learning kindergarten). So my question to baby boomers- how much did you spend on your kids?

31points

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Final score:

138points

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Chay 2 years ago

Credit scores don't exist anyone everyone, let's go get some houses hell yeah 😎

19points

#10

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Final score:

133points

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Mikey Kliss 2 years ago

This!!

12points

It seems that the majority of older people do realize that the prices have gone up quicker than salaries and the job market is more demanding than ever. However, people online couldn’t get over how many boomers actually think that the amount of money young people spend on takeaway food and Netflix would really make a significant difference in their savings for a down payment.

Only in the last year, house prices in the UK increased by 9.8 percent, while the average salary growth was only half of that. Also, bank rates are going up, so now it’s harder to pay off a loan than ever before.

Young people online tend to see the problems that are out of their control as more contributing to the problem in comparison to their faulty spending habits, and that is why they get so frustrated when older people keep saying it’s their fault. What do you think? Did the survey results surprise you? Do you agree with the opinions in this list? Do you think young people could save more if they adjusted their spending habits? Let us know in the comments!

#11

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Final score:

123points

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Nizumi 2 years ago

1970-ish. My dad (engineer) was earning maybe $10,000 a year - maybe a bit less. A modest 3 bedroom house on 1/8 acre was $18,000. Sure - Salaries may have increased 10x over the decades, but the price of a house has gone up 30x or more. It's insane! How is anyone supposed to keep up?

38points

#12

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Final score:

119points

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Wise beauty 2 years ago

Me looking up how much the times cost

16points

#13

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Final score:

116points

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Raven Sheridan 2 years ago

Damn! That must be some good tikka masala!

19points

#14

Final score:

113points

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Michelle Belle 2 years ago

Dang!! That's a great burn.

1point

#15

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Final score:

112points

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Phil Rubin 2 years ago

My father got a cheap loan on a new $28,000 home

15points

Kathryn Watson 2 years ago

How old is your father? There were not homes in that price range when we qere looking. Mortgages in the 80s were 16 to 18%.Boomers span 20 years. We did not all have the same experience Our expectations for our 1st home were modest. We were happy to buy a small 2 bedroom townhouse without many amenities.We used hand me down furniture knowing that one day we would have better.

0points

HarriMissesScotland 2 years ago

Please tell me, a dreaded Boomer, what I got for free. Seriously. And please DO NOT lump us together.

9points

Jay Son 2 years ago (edited)

I was thinking the same. I'm GenX but my parents were poor, worked hard and had no extras or everything for free. They never owned a home either, rent was all they could.

2points

Linda Harms 2 years ago (edited)

I guess I was in a coma when my generation got EVERYTHING for free. As a result, I worked for 50 years, and all the while I PAID for EVERYTHING. I feel like such a dope!

5points

Emily Robertson 2 years ago

I love my mom to death but she pretty much got a house given to her for free. And now she's threatening to sell it and leave us with nothing... Dude the only way I will be able to buy a house is if my mom sells this one split it three ways between her me and my sister. My sister works at a hospital I work at a hospital. Wtf

5points

DD 2 years ago

Everything for free? Wow are you misinformed. People look at the price of a home and say; would be nice if I could buy a $40k home like boomers. Don't forget wages were a lot less then and nobody I know bought a mini mansion. Most people bought under 2000sq ft (many closer to 1k).

4points

Kathryn Watson 2 years ago

and with double digit mortgage rates 13 to 18%

0points

Beck 2 years ago

Grandchildren. The x'ers are in the middle. In most cases.

2points

yellowphantom 2 years ago

Wrong generation. The people you all seem to be talking about on this thread are the PARENTS of the baby boomers. MY parents, who would be in their 90's now, are the only ones in my original nuclear family who ever got a house for close to $28,000. His 4 boomer kids couldn't buy a room for that. Our interest rate in 1983 was 15%.

1point

Michelle Belle 2 years ago

So true!

0points

Oddly Me 2 years ago

Not to mention that the retirement age was 55 in the US, and it paid decently. Now you can retire 10 years later at 65, and get paid less.

0points

Chris Sprucefield 2 years ago

Got everything for free? I don't know what alternate universe you live in..

0points

Eric Lafleur 2 years ago

I would upvote this a thousand times.

0points

Kathy Black 2 years ago

I agree and I do. The generation bashing is ridiculous. College was WAY cheaper, so were homes, cars, food, everything! Had my first child in 1971 - total bill was less than $800 for doctor and hospital for 3 days. Of course, salaries were way less too but money went much farther. Admittedly, we seldom ate out or went to movies but our brand new 3br/1 1/2 ba home cost $16,200 ($200 was the DP). 5 years later, sold it and bought bigger home. 10 years later, sold and bought much bigger/nicer home. Upward mobility was part of life - salaries kept pace far better than today (except for a couple of downturns). Boomers had it good for the most part though I have to say Gen X has done really well for the most part too. Millennials have struggled as a whole to have what previous generations did, through no fault of their own. We, as a society, with govt. changes need to find a way to help younger people achieve what we called the “American Dream” because right now, things are a mess.

-3points

Kathryn Watson 2 years ago (edited)

You are at the top end of the boomers. Some of us boomers were still in school when you were having children. our experience was much different in the 80s with mortgage rates 13 to 18%. U unemployment. The saying in the 80s was Stay alive in 85, chapter 11 in 87. It took my husband almost two years to find a job after college. I was in retail management and the 20 of the 21 women working for me were all supporting their families because their husband's couldn't find work. Boomers span 20 years. Do not lump us together. We pretty much ate beans rice and eggs to survive.

0points

#16

Final score:

98points

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UpQuarkDownQuark 2 years ago

I don’t see a megayacht in the water. It’s because you’re still buying Starbucks, isn’t it? Learn to manage your money!!!

107points

#17

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Final score:

97points

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MoMcB 2 years ago

Hell yes!

14points

#18

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Final score:

92points

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M. William Bell Premium 2 years ago

Jesus works in mysterious ways. As your run-of-the-mill god, he clearly not only invented Netflix but he ALSO made you broke in order to test something that you will never conclusively understand. Religion is amazing (but only if you’re watching it from the outside).

17points

#19

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Final score:

83points

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Wilko Lunenburg 2 years ago

No you won't. By that time you'll need to save for 120 years for the same flat.

30points

#20

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Final score:

75points

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James016 2 years ago

“Pull yourself up by your bootstraps” seems to be the go to expression

37points

#21

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Final score:

74points

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Deirdre Segraves 2 years ago

I bought my house in Jan 2020 and I desperately want to take the money and run, but no way am I getting stuck in this rental market forever.

13points

Woman Put A Water Fountain With A Camera In Her Yard, Here Are 24 Photos Of Regular Visitors (New Pics)

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#30

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Final score:

38points

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Melissa Schermerhorn 2 years ago

Don't mock Clive Cussler.

9points

#31

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Final score:

31points

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MoMcB 2 years ago

It's not so grim up North

1point

Having started as a content creator that made articles for Bored Panda from scratch I climbed my way up to being and editor and then had team lead responsibilities added as well. So it was a pretty natural transition from writing articles and titles as well as preparing the visual part for the articles to making sure others are doing those same tasks as I did before well, answering their questions and guiding them when needed. Eventually I realized editing gives me the most enjoyment and I'm focusing only on that right now.

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Saulė is a photo editor at Bored Panda with bachelor's degree in Multimedia and Computer Design. The thing that relaxes her the best is going into YouTube rabbit hole. In her free time she loves painting, embroidering and taking walks in nature.

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What do you think ?

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Phil Rubin 2 years ago

Short on money? Got the gift of Gabe? Are you really good at lying? Fantastic! Start a religious cult and the money will flow in tax free! Yes, the flock will put you into expensive clothes, cars, planes and a 30,000 square foot mansion. All you have to do is convince ignorant people (and there are LOTS of them) to send you money or gawd won't like them. Very simple.. this is done every day. Never be poor again. You can do it! /s

19points

Lisa H 2 years ago

Study Joel Osteen for tips

6points

Xandra 2 years ago

Attributing characteristics or quotes to whole generations (boomers, millennials, gen z...) is kind of stupid ("boomers have some advice..."). I, for one, never heard my parents or their friends say anything close to that, they are quite aware of the much higher prices for everything.

12points

Tams21 2 years ago

I agree, this kind of thing is happening too much. There are enough right-wing news sources peddling the "us versus them" narrative, we don't need it here too.

11points

Linziaj 2 years ago

Thank god someone sensible thank you

2points

Izzy Curer 2 years ago (edited)

Ascribing personality traits to an entire group of people who were born on a certain date is called "astrology". Boomers, millenials, gen x-ers, gen z-ers... It's all bunk. And honestly, I think most people know that, it's just that some people are really loud.

1point

v 2 years ago

Unfortunately far too many people, boomers include right along with what ever the hell they're calling this latest young adult generation, believe a few words they read on their favorite social media is the absolute gospel so the idea gets perpetuated. I saw one up there in the thread in which the person believes that boomers were the generation that got everything for free.

0points

Not_Tellin 2 years ago

You and every other fool agreeing with you make snide remarks about millennials , gen x and gen z... want some cheese with that whine?

-2points

Not_Tellin 2 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Lisa H 2 years ago (edited)

Boomers: "Cancel Netflix and you'll save tons of money!" Also Boomers: *pays $180+/month for cable service*

10points

Kathleen Pearlman 2 years ago

Us Boomers pay over $200 for cable. I try to get the spouse to cut things, but his entertainment is "worth it".

2points

Pandaroo 2 years ago

Erm...millenials are middle aged or close to it now. Who the hell do these people think we are?

6points

Hphizzle 2 years ago

Aww look at that, Times readership is so bad they have to resort to click bait headlines just to get some attention.

4points

Will Cross 2 years ago

Why do people think we shouldn't enjoy what little things we can afford? I guess people think we are supposed to kill ourselves working every minute of our lives. Get paid little money while doing it, only to come home and just sit there and do nothing, watch nothing, and be thankful for being forced to live an uncomfortable existence and only look forward to going back to work. As if people are not allowed to enjoy what little perks we can afford during our stay here on Earth. Seriously, WTF is wrong with people that think like this? It's like they want people miserable, homeless, starving, unhealthy, and God forbid we enjoy ourselves when we arent working.

3points

YetAnotherSarah 2 years ago

Can these dumbasses stop using "millennials" to mean "youngins"? Millennials are 26-41. Millennials know what adulthood is. Millennials know what responsibilities are. It's just that, for a large portion of millennials, it doesn't involve home ownership or having children because that wouldn't be *responsible* because of current (and continuing) financial constraints.

2points

Dodo 1 year ago

In this case I think they're using it right. They believe all millennials should own a house by now and think it's obviously something *we're* doing wrong when we don't have one.

0points

Notyomama 2 years ago

Netflix and eating out every once in a while is not the problem. And saying so over simplifies the issue. Also, for anyone that doesn't necessarily "have to live" in the city, there are 0 money down homeloans available.

2points

Justacrow 2 years ago

Just overestimated our monthly subscriptions cost to $100, at that rate, it would take 289+ years to pay off a house, so even putting down 10% (which is way too low for most) it would still take about 30 years to save that much from subs.

0points

Craymoss 2 years ago

It’s s**t like this, that doesn’t really make me feel all that bad about the news about that party in that mansion…

0points

Oddly Me 2 years ago

The only good thing about this post is... well nothing, unless you like to focus on how bleak things are in reality.

0points

JayWantsACat 2 years ago

The audacity of a group of people whining about another group struggling and not being able to meet the former's expectations because of the very systems the former has, continue to, put in place. How many boomers continue to vote conservative, directly adding to the struggles of every non-rich person? How many boomers vote down any measures to increase funding for education, better worker's rights, etc. because they don't have young children, are retired, etc so it's not their problem? The only thing that matters is they got theirs. And yes, I understand some of them are on fixed incomes. Its almost like the US has a tired tax liability system. It's almost like voting for a party that allows corporations to not pay their fair share of taxes, taxes that could be used to fund senior programs, goes against your best interests. Cant fix stupid and selfish, I guess.

0points

Miss Kat O 2 years ago

If I save on Netflix for a year, I don't even think I could afford a Barbie dream house

0points

Philler Space 2 years ago

Blockbuster movies cost about $3.50 to rent, plus tax, plus gas, plus late or rewind fees. If you watched 5 movies a month Netflix is a cheaper deal.

0points

similarly 2 years ago

Housing is ridiculously expensive, and the inflation on rent and property is just so greedy that it's criminal. That said: when I was young, people subscribed to newspapers and magazines, but it was nothing compared to all the subscription options people have today. Netflix, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime ... the list goes on and on. I see tons of people "boosting" discord, or paying Patreon subs. I really don't know how people can afford it all. I have two subscriptions a year for software I need for work, and that's pretty much it.

0points

help I can’t whistle 2 years ago

I’m a teen now, and I’m scared for when I grow up. The future of the world seems hopeless and is probably only going to get worse. Is this the world that awaits my generation?

0points

Pollywog 2 years ago

The oil and gas industry workers from out of state didn't help housing prices. Landlords/homeowners jacked their rent/prices up because they could afford it. A one bedroom efficiency went from $400 to $1200 almost overnight.

0points

Courtney Christelle 2 years ago

That's why I live in poverty? My $10 tofu pad thai and two screen Netflix bundle?

0points

Benjamin Bucklen 2 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Not_Tellin 2 years ago

F**k you. Not all boomers are like that. Just you are not representative of all millennials or gen z, or whatever the f**k you are.

6points

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Phil Rubin 2 years ago

19points

Lisa H 2 years ago

Study Joel Osteen for tips

6points

Xandra 2 years ago

12points

Tams21 2 years ago

I agree, this kind of thing is happening too much. There are enough right-wing news sources peddling the "us versus them" narrative, we don't need it here too.

11points

Linziaj 2 years ago

Thank god someone sensible thank you

2points

Izzy Curer 2 years ago (edited)

1point

v 2 years ago

0points

Not_Tellin 2 years ago

You and every other fool agreeing with you make snide remarks about millennials , gen x and gen z... want some cheese with that whine?

-2points

Not_Tellin 2 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Lisa H 2 years ago (edited)

Boomers: "Cancel Netflix and you'll save tons of money!" Also Boomers: *pays $180+/month for cable service*

10points

Kathleen Pearlman 2 years ago

Us Boomers pay over $200 for cable. I try to get the spouse to cut things, but his entertainment is "worth it".

2points

Pandaroo 2 years ago

Erm...millenials are middle aged or close to it now. Who the hell do these people think we are?

6points

Hphizzle 2 years ago

Aww look at that, Times readership is so bad they have to resort to click bait headlines just to get some attention.

4points

Will Cross 2 years ago

3points

YetAnotherSarah 2 years ago

2points

Dodo 1 year ago

In this case I think they're using it right. They believe all millennials should own a house by now and think it's obviously something *we're* doing wrong when we don't have one.

0points