Better off than my parents?

A TV documentary that I watched earlier this week had, as its main message, that all over the world, people in supposed first world countries were no longer better off than their parents, and that they had nothing left to aim for. 

In Vietnam, youngsters enjoy parties and study as they celebrate the life improvements each generation can make on their parents - they can get better jobs, have more money, enjoy city living and be proud of their achievements.

In other countries, however, like Japan and the UK, children are less happy as they know that however hard they work they will not be able to outshine their parents, unlike the last few generations. They will struggle to get a job, may not get on the property ladder for some time (if ever), and have less disposable money with which to enjoy themselves. And I started thinking 'am I better off than my parents'?

I live in the UK, have a house that needs a lot of renovation (much of which I can't afford at this present time), have a car that amazes my family every time I drive to see them in it (as they're convinced it was ready for the scrapyard years ago), can never afford to stay in a hotel, and buy mainly value lines in the supermarket.

Yet I am fully aware of how much better off I am than my parents as they taught me well. I know which of the budget lines taste good, and which to avoid. I'm a keen freebie hunter, and when the season's right, can practically live off thin air. I have friends all over the world, who I can couch-surf at, when I get enough cash together to pay for the air fare. 

My entertainment costs are practically zero as I've been trained to see the value in volunteering. Though my husband certainly only earns a one-person salary, we can live quite comfortably when I'm between jobs, and then when I start earning more, we can use almost all of our money to go on holiday to see my friends.

I don't have to work if I don't want to, rather, using that extra time to help those in genuine need - socially, physically or mentally. I have gained from IT developments as I can chat with friends around the world everyday, and don't have to miss out on friendship just because I can't afford the long-haul flights as often as I would like.

I may not have more disposable income than my parents did, but I know how to use it more wisely as I have learnt from their experience. I can use money much more creatively to stretch it as far as possible in a country which is becoming increasingly tight-fisted. I enjoy every day, even the rainy ones, as I know the peace instilled in me from having thoughtful, loving parents, who have never stopped showering me with their wisdom in a useful way.

In short, I am much better off than my parents were, as they sculpted a better life for me when I was still young.