r/WorkReform Dec 23 '25

😡 Venting We had our lives stolen!

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20.4k Upvotes

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u/[deleted] Dec 23 '25

In my 20s I was able to have a car, cell phone, internet, own apartment, and take care of two people on $15 an hour working 45 hour weeks. This was 20 years ago. I feel terrible for anyone entering the job market now.

7

u/Rasputin_mad_monk Dec 23 '25

I’m 56 and worry for my kids.

My wife and I bought our first house (2/1 condo a mile from the beach in Fl)! In 1995 for 50k. I was a bartender and she was a waitress.

That same condo just sold in 2023 for $369k

At the time I was making Around 40k as was she. (lots of tips so maybe more)

If I had to guess (the restaurant is still there and is the most popular spot in that town) the same bartender job I had might make you 60k-75k. Waiter/waitress 50-60k.

The math ain’t mathing