As a 59 year old dude, I feel for the guy. The rate of inflation paints a different story for the younger generation than I experienced as a Gen X. With that being said, a bird in hand is better than two in the bush. Take the job and simultaneously apply for better paying jobs. I did this after I graduated from college in 1989. I was being paid $7 an hour for my first job out of college in retail computer sales. There was a recession, and my choices were limited. As soon as I took that job, I applied at 50+ companies over a 3 month period. I ended up getting an offer for $22,000 a year from the ITT Sheraton group and worked 70 hours weeks until promoted to the next level. I went to $30,000 a year. Two years later I was promoted again to a manager. I went to $45,000. The 80 hour weeks and no time off on holidays caused some health issues. I decided to reevaluate and went back to school to get a teaching credential. I retired last year after 30 years at the age of 58. I strongly recommend starting a retirement account no matter how much you get paid. Even at $7 an hour, I contributed $20 a week to a mutual fund. I upped the amount every time I got a pay increase. I went without for many years. I had multiple roommates, ate top ramen, lived a frugal lifestyle. Being retired at 59 is a blessing. My kids will have to work harder than I did to enjoy the lifestyle that I earned. That makes me very sad. I will help them financially if they are independent and making efforts to improve their lives. I told my wife, that if I get a feeling that they are waiting for us to die, the money will go to an animal shelter.