“I’m hanging in there.”

The most common lie we tell each other on the way to work.

Overheard at the bus queue this morning:

Worker bee #1: “I’d just like to lie down somewhere and enjoy. How are you?”

Worker bee #2: “I’m hanging in there, mate. Hanging in.”

But hanging in for what?

The pay rise that never keeps up with inflation?

The house you’ll never afford?

The “one day” rest that never actually comes?

We were sold the Australian dream. Work hard, play by the rules, and eventually you’ll “make it.”

Except most don’t.

Here’s what the numbers and reality say:

– The average Aussie retires with $300k–$400k in super, well below the $600k+ needed for comfort.

– No home by 50? You’re exposed. Renting into retirement means higher costs and less stability.

– No parents with assets like property to hand down? Then you’re starting from scratch, with no safety net or wealth transfer.

– Rising health costs, longer lives, and weak financial planning erode quality of life.

– AI is already reshaping jobs—repetitive roles are at high risk, and without reskilling, income potential drops fast.

– The sandwich generation squeeze is real—caring for both kids and ageing parents at once.

– The loneliness epidemic is growing, especially for men over 40, leading to isolation even in a crowd.

– Mental health struggles linked to stress, overwork, and financial pressure are at record highs. “Hanging in there” too often means burnout.

– And here’s the kicker: younger generations don’t even buy the dream anymore. They’ve seen what endless grind did to Boomers and Gen X. Many are rejecting the 40-year slog entirely—prioritising flexibility, side hustles, travel, or simply opting out.

So maybe “hanging in there” isn’t noble resilience.

Maybe it’s slow drift.

And drift has a cost:

You get tired. You get old.

And one day you realise the reward never came.

The truth is, hanging in there is not a plan.

A plan is:

– Building super now, not later.

– Owning (or securing) your housing.

– Investing in your skills so tech doesn’t make you redundant.

– Investing in shares, funds, businesses, or assets (from property to precious metals—even Pokémon cards) that grow your wealth beyond wages and get you unstuck from the time-for-money trap.

– Finding real community before loneliness hardens into despair.

– Getting advice so you’re not flying blind.

– Having the tough conversations about legacy, health, and care before it’s too late.

The system won’t save you. The dream isn’t coming.

So stop hanging. Start planning and doing.

👉 Question for you: Are you still hanging in there, or are you building something better?

(Note: this is not financial advice, just perspective.)