The History of The American Dream, LFG Daily - November 13, 2025

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The Great American Dream—Now With a Second Paycheck

How We Went From One Income and a White Picket Fence to Two Jobs and a Studio Apartment

There was a time—not that long ago—when one person could work a 9-to-5, support a family, buy a home, and still have enough left over for a vacation and a few steak dinners. That time? Gone.

Today, it often takes two full-time incomes just to make ends meet, and even then, many families are priced out of owning a home. So what happened? Let’s take a little trip through history.

The Post-War Boom: When One Paycheck Was Enough

Back in the 1950s and ‘60s, the median home cost roughly 2 to 3 times the average household income. Wages were rising, interest rates were relatively stable, and new homes were being built at a record pace.

One breadwinner could buy a house, a car, raise three kids, and still stash a little away for retirement. And because there weren’t streaming subscriptions, $1,200 iPhones, or daily Starbucks runs, the family budget stretched a lot further.

The “American Dream” was alive and well—and affordable.

Fast Forward to Today: 5x the Cost, Same Paycheck

Now? The average home costs 5 to 6 times what the median household earns. That means the same home your grandparents bought on one salary now requires two… and maybe a side hustle.

Wages haven’t kept pace with inflation or asset prices. Housing supply hasn’t kept up with population growth. Zoning laws, NIMBYism, and rising construction costs have all made new homebuilding painfully slow.

And the Federal Reserve’s easy money policies over the years? They’ve helped inflate asset prices—including homes—faster than incomes could catch up.

The Credit Card Revolution and the Rise of “Lifestyle Creep”

Then came the 1980s, the credit card boom, and the birth of “buy now, pay later” culture. Debt became normal. Houses got bigger. Cars got flashier. Vacations got pricier.

We stopped asking, “Can I afford this?” and started asking, “What’s the monthly payment?”

As a nation, we began living just a little bit outside our means—every single year. The result?

Record household debt, minimal savings, and a generation of Americans who feel like they’re running faster just to stay in place.

The Expectation Problem

Here’s the truth no one likes to admit: our expectations changed.

Your grandparents’ 1,200-square-foot starter home with one bathroom? Today’s buyers call that “unlivable.”Their one TV? We have three in every room.Their used car? We lease new ones every 36 months.

We want more, we expect more, and the financial pressure follows right behind those expectations.

So, What Can We Do About It?

If we can’t change the system overnight, we can at least control our approach to it. Here’s how to start thinking differently:

1. Focus on cash flow, not lifestyle.Stop stretching every dollar to afford the biggest house the bank will let you buy. Focus on what keeps you financially flexible.

2. Don’t let debt dictate your destiny.Knock out high-interest debt before you try to qualify for a mortgage—it’s the fastest way to increase your buying power.

3. Reset expectations.Maybe the right home isn’t the dream home—yet. A smaller place, a longer commute, or even a different ZIP code can be a smart stepping stone.

4. Save strategically.Automate your savings. Even small, consistent contributions build momentum. If housing affordability improves (and it will, eventually), you’ll be ready.

5. Invest in yourself first.The people who get ahead aren’t waiting for the government, the Fed, or the market to make life easier. They’re investing in their skills, their businesses, and their portfolios.

   
   

The Bottom Line

America’s affordability crisis didn’t happen overnight—and it’s not just a housing problem. It’s a behavior problem, a policy problem, and a cultural problem.

But that doesn’t mean you’re stuck. With a little planning, a little discipline, and a healthy dose of realism, you can still build real wealth in this economy.

The American Dream isn’t dead—it’s just gotten a little more expensive.

Don’t leave your financial future up to chance. Let’s build a plan that gives you confidence today and peace of mind for tomorrow. Click here to schedule a meeting — I’m here to help you take the next step toward financial freedom.

Colin Symons, CIO Lloyd Financial Group

The House voted to pass the stopgap spending bill and Trump signed the bill into law. The debate over healthcare subsidies should happen in December. In the early going, the market response is positive but muted.

It will take some time to recover from the longest shutdown ever, at 43 days. For instance, airlines need to reposition crews to resume normal operation.

The Fed’s Collins said it was a high bar for more cuts, citing inflation worries. That’s not going to play well with the administration. Odds of a December rate cut have fallen from two-thirds last week to 54%, now.

Oil fell 4% yesterday on oversupply concerns.

Michael Burry of The Big Short fame is closing his Scion Asset Management hedge fund.

Amidst recent chaos, silver hit a new ATH.

Cisco (CSCO) raised their guidance on AI-product demand.

What does it all mean? We’ve already seen a slight improvement in liquidity as the government reopens and we should see that continue, easing stress in the system.

Don’t leave your financial future up to chance. Let’s build a plan that gives you confidence today and peace of mind for tomorrow. Click here to schedule a meeting — I’m here to help you take the next step toward financial freedom.

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