Why ‘Making It’ Feels Impossible In The U.S. Now

Gen Z and millennials are facing a financial paradox: Despite higher wages and a rise in net worth, many still live paycheck to paycheck. Watch the video above to learn why traditional economic milestones like buying a home or starting a family feel out of reach and how instability, debt and housing costs are forcing young adults to rethink what "making it" really means in today's economy.

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
1:39 Why having a good job isn’t always enough
5:36 The desire for stability
7:12 Budgeting

Produced by: Charlotte Morabito
Edited by: Andrea Miller
Animation: Andrea Schmitz
Senior Director of Video: Lindsey Jacobson
Additional Footage: Getty Images

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Why ‘Making It’ Feels Impossible In The U.S. Now

Post from CNBC on May 12, 2025

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