[January 17, 2026] I’m worn out hearing people moan, “Our grandparents could buy a house on one paycheck, but now we can’t even afford rent on two!”
Yeah, maybe because Grandma wasn’t dropping half her income on $14 iced lattes and avocado toast shaped like art projects. Back then, if they wanted coffee, they boiled it at home in a dented pot. It tasted like burnt rubber and regret – but it woke you up and cleaned your pipes.
And Grandma wasn’t “out to brunch.” You think she had time for mimosas and hashtags? She was making something called whatever’s left in the fridge and feeding six people with it.
Don’t even start with Uber Eats. You think Grandpa was out here paying $38 to have a burger delivered three blocks away? Please. He grilled mystery meat on a rusted barbecue, and everyone called it dinner.
Now people cry about being broke while sitting in a house full of gadgets. Two SUVs in the driveway, six streaming services, three air fryers, and matching tattoos that cost more than their light bill. You think Grandpa had a tattoo? He did. It said “Korea 1951,” and it came with trauma, not Instagram likes.
And the kids – Lord help us. “We can’t make ends meet, but Brayden needs the new iPhone!” No, he doesn’t. You’re handing an $1100 device to a child who still eats crayons and forgets to flush.
When we were kids, there was one phone. It hung on the wall like a family relic. The cord stretched just far enough for you to whisper secrets before someone yelled, “Get off, I need to make a call!” And guess what? We lived.
The TV? One. In the living room. With three channels and a dial that clicked like a safe. And if Dad wanted to watch bowling, you were a fan of bowling, end of story.
Now there’s a flat screen in every room, the baby’s got an iPad, the dog’s got a camera, and everyone’s wondering why they can’t afford rents. Because you’re living like rock stars on retail salaries, that’s why.
Grandpa wasn’t leasing Teslas or buying $12 smoothies called “Green Zen Awakening.” He drove a truck that coughed smoke, rattled like a storm, and smelled like oil and hard work.
They lived within their means. Whatever Grandpa brought home on Friday – that’s what they had. They weren’t keeping up with the Joneses; they were keeping the lights on.
So yeah, Grandpa bought a house on one salary. But he also didn’t have a gym membership, three delivery apps, and emotional support crystals on his nightstand. His only support system was Grandma, who told him to quit whining and mow the yard.
Nowadays, everyone’s broke, anxious, and “manifesting abundance” while ordering tacos on DoorDash for the fourth time this week.
It’s not the economy – it’s the lifestyle.
Wake up, turn off your subscriptions, make your own coffee, and maybe – just maybe – you’ll smell the truth.
Credit to the original author, unknown.
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Ha Ha, reminds me of my grandmother Elsie. Wow, she sure knew how to make something out of nothing. Raised during the Great Depression, she was the greatest lady I’ve ever met. And she was on top of everything in the home. As one of her grandchildren, I was always at my best around her, but knew she would protect me no matter what. This picture you used sir, for the thumbnail reminds me of her. No one would comment that she was a tad overweight because she was a powerhouse, and she had to be to survive. That’s a real WOMAN. Wow Wow Wow. I’m honored to be one of her 20 grandchildren. ❤️ Bless her! It’s been a couple of months since I read Gen. Satterfield’s blog, due to a number of health issues, but I’m back and roaring to read, learn, and comment. So I will say what I think all the time. And I also recommend the book “55 Rules for a Good Life” by Gen. S. You won’t regret buying it off Amazon.
If you were born in the 1950s or 1960s, none of this comes as a surprise.
This was a time when men were men (looking to be John Wayne) and women were women (Marilyn Monroe). None of this demonic trans crap that I see, where “we” are encouraging mental illness in kids because we like to be seen as trendy. Don’t encourage mental illness, retards. And things will get better.
Hmmmf…. 💯 I agree completely with Gen. Satterfield. 😆 This is all very humorous. 👍 Thumbs up on the content today sir. 🤢 It will make some of the Gen Z’ers sick to see themselves compare to those who actually worked hard in their lives. 🤡 Here’s some advice for the younsters, don’t be a clown.
“Quit whining” now that is a great piece of advice. I think young people today should listen to this great sage advice, but they won’t because they’ll be starring at their smart phones about something irrelevant to being a good person. Read “55 Rules for a Good Life.” Now that is how you can start. Just follow the roadmap that Gen. Satterfield has set up for you.
“Quit whining” sounds like a good way to go thru life. If you don’t like something, then come up with a solution.
Like I’ve written before, I sit here on a bright Sunday morning with my dog, a cup of hot black coffee, in my easy chair and open up my laptop to read Gen. Satterfield’s leadership blog. I’ve noticed over time (I’m one of the original commentators) that his blog as evolved from what you can do to be the very best senior leader into being the best leader and the best person you an be. “How” to do that is what he writes about and today, he is giving an example of a good moral person. That moral person knows right from wrong. And, it is shocking that so many in senior leadership positions cannot see it. Like Minnesota Governor Tim Walz who is highly corrupt, is a serial liar, and encourages violence against law enforcement while protecting criminals. I can understand making sure criminals don’t have thier rights violated but don’t encourage them to fight back or have ordinary citizens fight those enforcing the laws of America. Tim Walz is a RETARD. And all like him. Oh well, getting off on a tangent here. Have a great Sunday.
Nothing like kicking the current young generation in the nuts to make them feel left out (which they are). They have no motivation to make society better, despite them ‘protesting’ against a laundry list of social ills and climate disasters. They are taught to be afraid. They are taught that drinking $20 cups of coffee from Starbucks is what should make them happy and content, But that does zero. It’s just too easy to make fun of them, but unfortunately these lazy (is that the right word?) bums will led the world some day.
a good kick in the nuts works better than u might think
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Makes me smile! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I can see perfectly why Gen. Satterfield would post this article, as it fits exactly like his artilces “Letters to my granddaughter.” Plus, there is lots of humor here. I love it. Plus, making fun of the lazy Gen Z generation fulfills a need we all can get behind. Crazy.
Crazy Man, yep, that whole series on “Letters to My Granddaughter” were absolutely great. For those who have yet to read them, you’re missing out. Go to the tab above or to this link: https://www.theleadermaker.com/granddaughter-letters/ This is a quick way to get the letters up in the order in which he wrote them. I am recommending, like others before me, that he write a book on these letters, telling the story of his life. 🙏
A great series, that I enjoyed. I hope he writes more about his time as a kid.