You're inheriting a mess left by the generations before you. You need to change things. If you're entering or have just entered the work force, you and your generation will be determining whether your future will be brighter or darker. You need to read this book or one like it so that, at least, you know what you need to do to be financially independent doing what you want to be doing with your life. If you aren't already, you'll be bustin' your butt to make a buck. What you do with that buck, now, will determine how happy your life is, later.