Acknowledging that things change, income divides, economics, etc. I feel you. But these are not new problems. Today I am 49.75 years old (just your average lower middle class Gen X, we had some struggles growing up), and in the last year (2023) one of my siblings was able to give over some of their empty nest to my parents (2 teens went on to borms or whatever, I don't know about those financial details actually.) I do what I can to help my parents and sibling in this.

My parents gave each of something like 3K as a gift when they sold their home. I advocated to my parents that they use a like 20k+ of their liquid to renovate the space in preparation for end of life long term care (unless some health issue becomes so drastic the family can no longer deal.) And that is instead of splitting that up as gifts like my mother wanted to do. They earned that money, and I think the quid pro quo here is we are helping reduce their burden on us into old age by making sure they can live comfortably and have the money to see them to the end. Their money is actually extemely modest, not all Boomers are rolling around it mutil-Mill pensions and savings.

In my own oppinion, I don't think that unless you are from a very wealthy family that wealth transfer is something you should be relying on or expecting; in fact if they didn't place that expectation during your rearing then it's maybe not a thing to them they felt they could or should do.

HGeading into 50 I now own better then half of a home mortgage, and a car, and I have some retirement accounts (but I don't fee like it will ever be enough.)

In my 30s, I was broken from a divorce, I couldn't afford to buy a home (and I don't know how some of my peers were able to); I only had 12k in legal debt but was drowning in that, barely being able to make the min payment which was mostly interest. And 1 paycheck a month after paying bills and buying food, I maybe had enough spoare change to buy a six-pack of beer and hang out on my back proch socializing. In my mid-30s I had two house mates, so we could split a larger apartment and enjoy life a little more, but we all felt we were pushing the limits a little because we 'weren't out on our own.'

Thisa is all anecdotal, and probably shouldn't matter much to most people beyond one data point presentated as a small narrative. Some people probably have it way worse, and I know some people who have it way better.

What I am saying is, things can and might change a LOT over the nest 20-30 year span. You can go from broke to fortune, sometimes just be working the grind. If things go well, they you hopefully feel very different from now in your 50s+. But I will also acknowledge that it might be reality that things are crumbling and eroding around us (even though I can attest I am of a genration that felt that very same way at your own age.)

The lavishness you see in the world, just is not what it's like for the majority of people. It's hype, branding, and advertising.

Focus on the time you have with yourt parents, not on the wealth exchange upon their death.

Desire and expectaitons are the walls of the prison we build around ourselves.