[mavhc]

I work in education, so not highly paid, bought a car and a house by myself, and easily manage to save £500/month.

I just don't waste my money on stupid things like paying other people to make my sandwiches and drinks, or gadgets that are priced as 10x what they cost to make.

[epicureanideal]

Can you give more information? Are you in London or another major city in the UK?

[mavhc]

Midlands, city suburb.

My house is better than my parents where I grew up to start with, my car is electric, I have free electricity from the sun, a TV larger than anyone could imagine back then (with films for £1 with the same quality as a cinema), I can communicate with almost anyone on the planet, via video, for free (including free translation), I can buy a computer like on Star Trek that I can talk to for £20, life is magical.

[epicureanideal]

Thanks for sharing! I'm happy it worked out for you.

At the same time, I wonder if this is a bit of survivorship bias? I'm sure there are many people who do manage to live better than their parents, but is that common or the exception?

I was raised by a single parent who was in the "working poor" class, who managed to own their own home. I am a bit disappointed that it would be far more difficult for me to own a home anywhere within even 1 hour driving (each way) from the job centers, than it was for them to own a home. Despite longer working hours, more education, and so on.

[mavhc]

But homes today are much better, they have inside toilets, central heating, etc.

The cost of rent and a mortgage seem similar, is the problem a deposit, or the cost per month?