A Tiktoker expressed his frustration about not being able to afford to live the way he wants, even though he makes three times the federal minimum wage in a viral video that got over 2 million likes.
His almost 2-minute rant received almost 50,000 comments from other users, mostly agreeing with the take and finding the American dream has become increasingly out of reach in modern times.
Desperate Plea
In a loud and performative tone, TikTok user Nick Sumners desperately asked for justification for the financial struggles he experiences.
“Can somebody explain to me in crayon-eating terms why I make over three times the federal minimum wage and I cannot afford to live?” said Sumners.
No Bootstrap Excuses
Sumner’s question was immediately followed up by chastising a common argument often given in defense of the current state of things.
“And I do not want to hear the pull yourself up from your bootstraps, work 90 hours a week. That’s not the goal guys! That’s not! That should not be our standard,” Sumners said.
Uniparty Blamed
The Tiktoker would go on to allude to a possible answer to his own question, blaming a concept of the “uni party” that has caused people to stop fighting for a better life.
“I’m so, I am so f-ing tired of people being complacent with this uni party, both of them f-ing us over,” Sumners said in the TikTok video.
No Independence
Sumners angrily examined the difference between how he and his parents lived at the same age, and in what they earninged.
“When my parents were my age, they both made less than half of what I make, and they lived alone. I cannot afford to live anywhere alone, a one-bedroom apartment $1800, a two-bedroom apartment, $2200 dollars. Who the f can afford that?!” Sumners said.
Struggle to Survive
The Tiktoker admits he is embarrassed to even be asking the question, and feels the weight of the struggle to live in the modern economy.
“It is embarrassing to come out and say that it is a struggle to survive right now, but I know so many people are struggling,” said Sumners.
Younger Generations Struggling
In January, Newsweek reported that the average member of the boomer generation is worth between $970,000 and $1.2 million, while the average millennial is only worth between $76,000 and $436,000.
Recent inflation and effects from the pandemic have exasperated the problem with a higher cost of living and the burden of student loans weighing harder on the younger generations.
Agreement From Others
The commenters on TikTok, a platform dominated by younger generation people, resounded with a chorus of near-total agreement.
“it’s so infuriating not being able to feel independent in a country that literally markets independency as the goal like HOW,” said one user.
Minimum Wage Can’t Bring the Minimum
A common sentiment shared among commenters is that the minimum wage is not even accomplishing the bare minimum anymore.
“Minimum wage isn’t supposed to support a whole family and a rich life, but like…FOOD? SHELTER???? SOME SORT OF QUALITY????” one commenter wrote.
No Free Time
Some in the comments complained about having to work multiple jobs, which leaves them increasingly without free time.
“No for real, my mom was talking ab me getting a second job and I freaked, I shouldn’t HAVE to spend all my free time working to just survive,” said another user.
Side Hustles
More members of Millennial and Gen Z than Gex X and Boomer generations report having to resort to having “side hustles” to bring in extra income.
53 percent of Gen Z and 50 percent of millennials say they are using their time working multiple jobs to supplement their income according to a 2023 Bankrate report.
Raising the Bar
Some commenters agreed with Sumners in taking issue with the “bootstraps” narrative.
“They keep raising the bar of “pulling yourself up by the bootstraps”, used to be go to school and get a good job, we did that, still struggling,” one user commented.
