Shit, I remember it. It was the 00s My Pop asking why me (and my brothers) we're never home. We're working Pop. Pop-"It can't be all the time?" 80-100 hrs a week. You think I got a 2nd job because I'm bored? Pop-"But all you have is rent and a car payment?" Pop, things aren't as cheap as they used to be. Pop-"How about I help, I'll create a budget for you." OK, Pop, here's my checkbook and everything I spend money on. Pop-"Wow, you actually save all the receipts. This'll be easy." Just under an hour later... Pop-"WTH, your rent is crazy! That's not a new car either!" I know, Pop, I tried to tell you. Plus, utilities, food, and insurance. Pop-"Is there anywhere you can spend less, food maybe?" Pop, I rarely go out to eat, I hit sales at the grocer, crock pot cook. Pop-"When did it get this bad?" I'm guessing before we got out of high school? After that, my Pop became way more helpful. "Hey, kid, here's $300 for your birthday" "Merry Christmas *hands us each a $500 envelope*" I know, there are a ton of awful Boomers out there, but my Pop isn't one of them. He still tries to chip in for stuff he eats or uses here at my house. I always say no, I don't need it, that he should save it for a rainy day or help out other family who needs it. That's what he does. I'm truly grateful for him. Things have been bad for a long time, it's just that most Boomers don't have a frame of reference. Boomers with major expenses like houses and cars being paid off aren't spending a whole lot more than they always have. The other issue is they hate to listen and unless you can force them to look, they ignore you and yell "bootstraps!".