Millennials

The Millennial generation (born roughly between 1980-1990's) is like no other. According to BestLife Online, they have been criticized for their love of specialty cocktails, avocados and sprout bread, yoga and Pilates and especially for their obsession with their cell phones and social media. Their positive attributes have been largely ignored. I would like to praise the Millennials and give them their due.

Here are some interesting facts that might surprise you:

1. They dominate the workplace. By next year, Millennials will account for 36% of the entire U.S. workforce.
2. They're in debt. Thanks to the rising costs of college tuition, through no fault of their own, they have amassed $1 trillion in student loan debt.
3. They aren't prepared to retire. Because of facing the combination of high rent, student loan debt, and low paying jobs, 66% of Millennials have not been able to save for retirement.
4. They love their dogs. Millennials are slow to buy a house, and when they do, it's not because they want to have children or get married. It's because they want a place where they're allowed to have a dog. (Many rentals won't allow pets.)
5. They control massive amounts of money. It's estimated that in 2020, Millennials are worth $24 trillion, according to a report from USB Bank.
6. They value Quality over Quantity. Specifically, Millennials would rather make $40,000 at a job they love than $100,000 at a job they hate. They also think that how much money you make isn't the best indicator of success.
7. They're Diverse. Millennials are hands down the most diverse generation, thanks in part to immigration and changing attitudes about interracial relationships.
8. They believe in Climate Change. In a Global Shaper survey of over 31,000 Millennials, 48.6% said that climate change is their biggest global concern.

Most millenniums are the children of baby boomers and the parents of early Generation Xers. This highly educated and technically astute generation is known for its expertise in usage of the internet, mobile devices and especially social media. Our youngest daughter is a true millennium (with two adorable dogs) and without her guidance in computer related issues and her help navigating my way through social media, I would not be able to scan documents, write and disseminate my books and blogs, or post anything on Facebook or Instagram. A big shout out to all millenniums who help their parents and grandparents conquer the challenges of the internet. We are grateful that you have brought us into the modern world of social communication.

Until my next inspiration...ciao.

Woman on Phone Photo by Josh Rose on Unsplash

Dog walk Photo by Patrick Schätz on Unsplash