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Financial Expert George Kamel Explains Why Gen Z Got 'Financially Screwed' — And It's Not About Being Lazy

MarketDash Editorial Team
5 days ago
Financial personality George Kamel breaks down the harsh economic realities facing Gen Z, from skyrocketing home prices to crushing student debt, and offers practical advice on how younger Americans can still build wealth despite the odds being stacked against them.

Financial personality George Kamel isn't pulling punches when it comes to describing what Gen Z is up against economically. In a recent YouTube video, he flat-out said that Gen Z got "financially screwed" by a perfect storm of high housing prices, student loan burdens, and wages that simply haven't kept pace with inflation.

But here's where Kamel parts ways with typical generational finger-pointing. "The issue is not that they're lazy or entitled," he explained, calling Gen Z "one of the most impressive generations yet." Instead of dwelling on complaints, Kamel focused his video on actionable steps Gen Z can take to improve their financial position.

The Housing Math Doesn't Add Up Anymore

Let's look at the numbers, because they're pretty stark. Back in 1985, the median home price sat at $84,000 while median income was $24,000. That meant you needed less than four times the median income to buy a house, which was challenging but achievable for many Americans.

Fast forward to today, and the picture looks dramatically different. The median house price has ballooned to $410,000, while median income has only climbed to $85,000. Gen Z now needs almost five times the current median income to afford a home.

"Mortgage rates are just making the problem worse," Kamel noted in the video. When mortgage APRs tick upward, monthly payments can jump by hundreds of dollars, turning an already difficult situation into something that feels impossible.

"For Gen Z, this dream looks increasingly unrealistic," he said.

Student Loans Eat Away at Wealth Building

The housing crisis isn't happening in isolation. Kamel pointed out that the average Gen Z consumer shells out $300 per month toward student loans, and that debt can stick around for years or even decades. Those monthly payments directly prevent young people from saving for down payments or investing in stock portfolios that could compound over time.

"We were all told that college is a necessary, unquestionable path to upward mobility," Kamel said, while raising questions about whether modern degrees actually deliver that promised return on investment.

When you combine student loan payments with rising housing costs, the wage growth simply hasn't kept up. Kamel ran the numbers through an inflation calculator and found that money has lost half of its purchasing power over the past 25 years.

"The numbers literally don't add up at the end of the month," Kamel explained. "Even when they do make smart money choices, it feels like they will never get to enjoy life the way their parents did. They're watching previous generations retire comfortably while they're over here wondering if they will ever be able to afford a house and have kids."

Taking Responsibility Without Taking the Blame

Kamel's video wasn't designed to give Gen Z a free pass on poor financial decisions or reckless spending. Instead, he walked a careful line between acknowledging legitimate economic hardships and emphasizing personal responsibility.

"Your financial situation might not be all your fault, but it is your responsibility," he stated directly.

According to Kamel, there are three main obstacles everyone needs to overcome to improve their finances: lacking a financial cushion, being impatient, and not being content with what they have.

"We need a bigger gap in order to save for our goals and live our best life," he said, encouraging people to create budgets, live below their means, and systematically pay off debt.

Kamel also pushed Gen Z to think long-term rather than giving up when their financial situation doesn't improve immediately. Building wealth takes time, even in better economic conditions than what young people face today.

He wrapped up his advice with a warning against the comparison trap, urging people not to go into debt just to keep up appearances with their peers. "You don't need to flex," he said simply.

The message is clear: Gen Z got dealt a tough hand economically, but sitting around complaining won't change the bank balance. The path forward requires acknowledging the structural challenges while taking concrete steps to build financial stability anyway.

Back to News

Financial Expert George Kamel Explains Why Gen Z Got 'Financially Screwed' — And It's Not About Being Lazy

MarketDash Editorial Team
5 days ago
Financial personality George Kamel breaks down the harsh economic realities facing Gen Z, from skyrocketing home prices to crushing student debt, and offers practical advice on how younger Americans can still build wealth despite the odds being stacked against them.

Financial personality George Kamel isn't pulling punches when it comes to describing what Gen Z is up against economically. In a recent YouTube video, he flat-out said that Gen Z got "financially screwed" by a perfect storm of high housing prices, student loan burdens, and wages that simply haven't kept pace with inflation.

But here's where Kamel parts ways with typical generational finger-pointing. "The issue is not that they're lazy or entitled," he explained, calling Gen Z "one of the most impressive generations yet." Instead of dwelling on complaints, Kamel focused his video on actionable steps Gen Z can take to improve their financial position.

The Housing Math Doesn't Add Up Anymore

Let's look at the numbers, because they're pretty stark. Back in 1985, the median home price sat at $84,000 while median income was $24,000. That meant you needed less than four times the median income to buy a house, which was challenging but achievable for many Americans.

Fast forward to today, and the picture looks dramatically different. The median house price has ballooned to $410,000, while median income has only climbed to $85,000. Gen Z now needs almost five times the current median income to afford a home.

"Mortgage rates are just making the problem worse," Kamel noted in the video. When mortgage APRs tick upward, monthly payments can jump by hundreds of dollars, turning an already difficult situation into something that feels impossible.

"For Gen Z, this dream looks increasingly unrealistic," he said.

Student Loans Eat Away at Wealth Building

The housing crisis isn't happening in isolation. Kamel pointed out that the average Gen Z consumer shells out $300 per month toward student loans, and that debt can stick around for years or even decades. Those monthly payments directly prevent young people from saving for down payments or investing in stock portfolios that could compound over time.

"We were all told that college is a necessary, unquestionable path to upward mobility," Kamel said, while raising questions about whether modern degrees actually deliver that promised return on investment.

When you combine student loan payments with rising housing costs, the wage growth simply hasn't kept up. Kamel ran the numbers through an inflation calculator and found that money has lost half of its purchasing power over the past 25 years.

"The numbers literally don't add up at the end of the month," Kamel explained. "Even when they do make smart money choices, it feels like they will never get to enjoy life the way their parents did. They're watching previous generations retire comfortably while they're over here wondering if they will ever be able to afford a house and have kids."

Taking Responsibility Without Taking the Blame

Kamel's video wasn't designed to give Gen Z a free pass on poor financial decisions or reckless spending. Instead, he walked a careful line between acknowledging legitimate economic hardships and emphasizing personal responsibility.

"Your financial situation might not be all your fault, but it is your responsibility," he stated directly.

According to Kamel, there are three main obstacles everyone needs to overcome to improve their finances: lacking a financial cushion, being impatient, and not being content with what they have.

"We need a bigger gap in order to save for our goals and live our best life," he said, encouraging people to create budgets, live below their means, and systematically pay off debt.

Kamel also pushed Gen Z to think long-term rather than giving up when their financial situation doesn't improve immediately. Building wealth takes time, even in better economic conditions than what young people face today.

He wrapped up his advice with a warning against the comparison trap, urging people not to go into debt just to keep up appearances with their peers. "You don't need to flex," he said simply.

The message is clear: Gen Z got dealt a tough hand economically, but sitting around complaining won't change the bank balance. The path forward requires acknowledging the structural challenges while taking concrete steps to build financial stability anyway.