I'll bite. How about
the cost of living as a starter. I am part of the last generation that could economically live on a single income. That same generation could afford a 1200 sq. ft. detached or semi that was located in a neighbourhood with parks and within walking distance of most of the essentials for daily living i.e. grocery stores, shoe stores, clothing shops, churches etc. We also generally lived in the same area that we worked and didn't spend an hour each way commuting. The 401 was two lanes each direction across the city and there was grass and trees along the perimeter. There wasn't the same necessity to obtain toys such as boats, snowmobiles and 48" TVs. Heck a 17" set cost 500 dollars at a time when salaries were less than 7000 per annum. Minimum wage was $1.25 and I could afford an apartment in Mississauga at that rate. I wouldn't fault government so much as individual and collective greed.
So cost of living is a definite problem but...... I think there is a lack of individual accountability and just a lack of ambition overall these days. I wasn't a particularly gifted student or master of anything really. What I did was I acquired skills and moved where opportunities were. I've moved 7 times in the past decade and 4 times in the past 6 years. There were risks involved and nobody told me how it was going to work out... I just did it because I've got confidence and some ambition.
Want to be a Millionaire as a Millenial? Pretty simple, for starters don't live in super expensive CMAs like Toronto or Vancouver. Second of all, if everyone else is doing it, it's probably not a very good way to make $$$.
I have chased assignments outside the major metropolitan areas. My wife and I have one child and a second one on the way. I am turning 40 this year and my wife is 34.
I worked in Military, Transportation and now Metals & Mining. It's at the point now where we are able to live on one income. I own a house and make a substantial amount of $$$. Enough to own multiple vehicles, support a family of four, own our own home, have substantial investments, etc.
My wife worked but now she doesn't for the time being. We want kids and she wants 18 months off, which she already took for our last child so we made the decision for her to not work. She likes working but I would say since having children, her priorities have changed, she doesn't care so much about her career anymore and wants to focus on our kids. We are fortunate that I make the kind of $$$ I do for her to be able to do that.
That's my situation and I know it's not the norm though. I have an incredibly obscure CV with a bunch of difficult to obtain certifications that can't really be recreated easily. Some of them I acquired by luck, a lot of them I got by grinding from the time I was 18 until now.
I sometimes think we aren't doing that well because I compare it to what my parents were able to have at our age but then I realize that's also not realistic. The average person can't afford anything near what I can afford or live the life I live. The workforce and government systems are also not designed to support hard work, because Canada has a serious case of tall-poppy syndrome. My wife isn't working so I am supporting my entire family.... Do I get a tax break? Nope. We actually get taxed more than if my wife and I were both working and making the same amount collectively. Can I access any Govt programs my $$$ pays for? Nope.
I am anti-big Govt for the most part. I want them involved as little as possible in my life. I also want to keep as much of my $$$ for my family as possible.
and just how many couples that you know can afford to take time off to have kids or even more relevant have a residence that is kid friendly. Condos may suit couples but they are definitely not designed for families and for most couples condos are about all they can afford.
I know a few and they are all in my friends circle. They of course all have high paying jobs, own houses, married, etc.
If you want to be successful, you also need to associate yourself with other successful people.
