Apr 30, 2026
Younger generations are facing a very different financial reality than previous ones, with rising costs making it harder to achieve traditional milestones like homeownership. According to the National Association of Realtors, the median age of first-time homebuyers has climbed to 40, highlighting how long it now takes to enter the housing market. A survey from Operation HOPE found that 80% of millennials are engaged in “survival spending,” using most of their income just to cover essentials like rent, groceries, and debt. Experts say that while these challenges are real, building financial stability is still possible through small, consistent actions and by seeking support from trusted nonprofit organizations like Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Rochester (CCCS), the National Foundation for Credit Counseling and GreenPath.