Young people feel a sense of betrayal after following the prescribed path—good grades, college—only to graduate with immense debt into a job market with few opportunities and an unaffordable housing market. This broken promise fuels their economic anxiety.

The trope that renting is 'throwing away money' is flawed. Rent is a payment for valuable, non-financial assets like location flexibility, freedom from ownership costs (taxes, repairs), and the option to invest capital elsewhere—potentially in higher-return, more diversified assets like the stock market.

Many professionals endure decades of grueling work for a future reward (e.g., traveling in retirement) that is actually accessible now for a fraction of the cost and time. This highlights a fundamental flaw in the traditional 'slave-save-retire' career path.

Despite economic pressures, Millennials and Gen Z still desire traditional success milestones like homeownership. The key difference is that the path is no longer linear and the timeline has shifted. Financial planners must adapt their advice to this new, less predictable journey.

The affordability crisis isn't solely about price inflation; it's also driven by "cultural inflation." The expected size of a starter home has ballooned from under 1,000 sq ft in the 1950s to nearly 2,500 sq ft today. This dramatic shift in consumer expectations fundamentally alters the affordability calculation.

The American housing market is increasingly inaccessible to younger generations. The median age of a homebuyer has hit a record high of 59, the same age one can access retirement funds. Even the median first-time buyer is now 40, indicating a systemic affordability crisis.

For those who can afford a down payment but not the monthly mortgage, Emma Hernan suggests a "buy and rent" strategy. Purchase the property, place a tenant in it to cover the mortgage payments, and build equity. You can then move in years later when your financial situation improves.

Unlike previous generations engaged in culture wars, Gen Z's primary political motivation is economic stability. They are less interested in ideological battles and more focused on tangible issues like homeownership, affordability, and securing a financial future.

The long-held belief that frequently changing jobs is a red flag on a resume was promoted by companies to maintain employee loyalty. Modern employers should be more empathetic and understand that people often need to explore different roles and industries to find the right career fit.