|
I don't hold myself out as "normal" either but I have seen a bunch of new grads come and go through different companies I've worked for in multiple states and geographical regions. Granted my experience is with college grads with technical or business degrees that make going to college actually financially beneficial. With that subset of society in mind:
The typical new grad starts work, buys a new car within a month, and moves into an apartment where they live alone. They date and socialize for a few years, find that special someone, date exclusively for a few more years, and then get married or move in together in their late 20's or early 30's. I know plenty of people that are in their 30's and have never lived with another person since their college dorm days.
While they are living this typical white-collar life they also complain about their college loans, the cost of rent, how tight their budget is, and how they can't save any money. There have been a few exceptions but the above is what I normally see.
Marriage shouldn't be a financial burden. Two incomes + splitting the cost of living = lots of room in the budget to save and invest. That is unless someone keeps adjusting their standard of living to consume every dime they make - which also seems to be normal.
|