Did the "American dream" change over time, or was it just my interpretation of it? (lemm.ee)

submitted 1 year ago by NotSpez@lemm.ee to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

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So growing up, I had this idea that the American dream was about that if you put in an honest amount of work, you would be rewarded with a good life. This would mean you would be able to take care of yourself and your family, afford a car and a house. In my view, working one job would probably be enough.

Nowadays, I get the idea that the American dream has become about working your ass off in order to have a chance to become a millionaire. Somehow glorifying “the grind” appears to be a part of it too now.

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[-] NoIWontPickaName@kbin.social 1 points 1 year ago

Or i could get a job and skip straight to the end.

I have a good job though, $15 an hour in a low CoL area, and I only have like 3 hours of work a day.

Before this i made about $21 an hour plus like 8 hours of overtime amd that job was gravy until we got a bad manager that made all of the experienced employees quit.

[-] Gork@lemm.ee 1 points 1 year ago

How can you live on only $45 / day, $225/week, $900/month?

[-] NoIWontPickaName@kbin.social -1 points 1 year ago

I get $120 a day. 8 hours at $15. I only actually need 3 hours to get my job done if that and I have 8 hours to do it in.

[-] Gork@lemm.ee 1 points 1 year ago

Ah ok that makes more sense. Don't feel obligated though to stay at a job that only pays $15/hr. There are jobs out there that can pay far more so it doesn't hurt to aggressively negotiate terms.

[-] SmokeyDope@lemm.ee 0 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Yes you most certainly could. Everyone's priorities and desires and life circumstances are so very different, to each their own.

My point was that it is entirely possible to live an enjoyable and more or less comfortable way of life that doesn't require being a wagie slave to landlords/banks or kill yourself with work the whole year.

Many people live just below their means month to month unable to save up for a basic emergency fund and then wonder what to do when the economy takes a dive and they're left homeless.

Even if you never want to do nomadic living having a reliable semi-livable apartment on wheels stocked with supplies and essential survival equipment ready to go is great. It gives you a sense of freedom and a security backup just in case your life ever burns down. Take it and do some car camping on the weekends at your nearest national park or boondock at BLM land. If you do the slightest bit of custom work when converting and you can sell it for a pretty penny.

Not everyone is able to work a full time job or desire develop high paying skills. There is no 'right way' to live. If you want to just buy land and homestead do it! If you want to travel do it! If you aren't satisfied with the life you are living try a different mode of existence you may find at heart you aren't truly a money hungry rat racer. Also keep in mind its much easier to save up money for land if you don't pay rent especially if you are only making 15-21/hr. Hate to tell you this but inflation has gotten so bad 15$ is unofficial minimum wage (unofficial minimum wage is whatever McDonald pays). Those numbers would have been impressive five years ago. Not anymore.

[-] NoIWontPickaName@kbin.social 1 points 1 year ago

My point was for where I live those pay more than enough to get by.

In New York not so much, but here it is fine, especially since i have only a couple hours work. I am extremely overpaid for my job.

Also 15-21 was never a bragging amount unless you went back like 15 years ago when minimum wage was 5.25, the point was you don't need to make tons of cash to live well here and that get a job and just buy a house works for a ton of people here.

I am surrounded by houses in the 35-40k range if i want to move 30 minutes away into a small town.

this post was submitted on 09 Aug 2023

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