7 things a single income could buy in the boomer era—that now take two salaries

Ever catch yourself wondering how your parents—or maybe your grandparents—managed so much with just one paycheck?

I do. My mom likes to remind me that back in the late 1970s, my dad’s modest salary as an accountant was enough for a mortgage, a car, and family vacations. They weren’t living large, but they weren’t drowning in debt either.

Fast forward to today, and most couples I know are running on two full-time incomes just to stay afloat. And even then, the math often feels impossible.

So, what changed? Let’s break it down. READ MORE