Skip navigation

I Want My MTV

Apparently, apart from spoiling kids' morals, rock and roll (videos) also ruined their financial discipline. Well, no, maybe not. But, due to poor spending and savings habits, the finances of the MTV Generation are in much worse shape than those of adults their age just two decades ago, according to a study commissioned by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants entitled Feed the Pig.

Apparently, apart from spoiling kids' morals, rock and roll (videos) also ruined their financial discipline. Well, no, maybe not. But, due to poor spending and savings habits, the finances of the MTV Generation are in much worse shape than those of adults their age just two decades ago, according to a study commissioned by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants entitled Feed the Pig. The study looked at Americans aged 25 to 34, which, if you want to get technical about it, actually span two generations: demographers would say they're part Gen X (born 1963 to 1978) and part MTV (born 1975 to 1983). Among other things, this demographic group has the second highest rate or personal bankruptcy in the country and spends an average of 24 percent of its income on debt payment.

MTV KIDS LIVE FOR NOW

Today's 25- to 34-year olds spend more and save less:
2004 1985
Average net worth $3,746 $6,788
Average debt $4,733 $3,118
Average net worth as % of income 92% 99%
Rate of home ownership 39% 37%
% of group with interest-bearing savings account 47% 61%
Source: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Hide comments

Comments

  • Allowed HTML tags: <em> <strong> <blockquote> <br> <p>

Plain text

  • No HTML tags allowed.
  • Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically.
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
Publish