got out of school. Uncle Sam took 20K+ at the time, student loans 10K (a professional degree) and the church got 10K. I bought a modest (84K) house, but interest rates were in the teens and that was another 10K a year. I was self employed, young and unwise, I got behind on my taxes. Interest and penalties on the back taxes were 26%.

I was shocked at how little 100K was all the way back then. I can see how it would be frustrating in the day of 400K houses and 35K cars. Ironically I am now retired and no longer make quite that much, but everything personal is paid for and I deduct 5% of 1 Mil in real estate on my taxes and pay very little. Life is much more comfortable now.

You've got to remember the banks and educational institutions have conspired to put this generation deeply in debt by the time they are out of college.