It's hard to say IMO if things are harder now than 50yrs ago, a lot crazier that's for sure , especially OZ has swapped one form for another . Over lawed , censored , licensed, taxed, governed, 3 new epidemics a wk, we're all spied on , permits , the fuss is ridiculous ,400k first homes so where's the line , got me .
They certainly worked a lot harder and when they say built their own home, often literally , my dad did. Now it's a builder and I built this house, it's a bit tough , the mic and plazma's aren't top shelf and damn the the ducted vacume and air's late but we don't mind. My folks started with boxes and Hessian curtains and dad and 2 mates building the house on w/e. Actually the car also had Hessian on 2 windows saw a photo.
He worked 12 and 15 hr days, rode his bike 15miles into work and then home again for the first 5 yrs.
But when I got my first business loan 23 yrs ago , I just took in my home made work book , we had a chat, shook hands and I that was it.
I bought my first property v/t, the same. Rates hit 17% but that was much easier than now , the property was 1/10th the price and I was earning 1400 a wk with my business. Working that business now the same way would be impossible and it would would pay $700pw , I worked it out but the same property is 500k , work that one out.
My dad started his own business, ended up rich and owning properties all over the place, monster boats , and huge hobby farms. One he bought for 500k on a hand shake , don't see that much these days. Actually he bought a few like that .
My brother took over that business and just went broke actually, closed the doors a mth ago. All the laws , taxes , costs , fuss and crap involved just milked it dry and he couldn't make money anymore.
So where are we now. I plan on staying right here up on the Great Ocean Rd and having a good old chuckle at the rest of it from a far and safe distance. Do up a few properties , enjoy the ocean everyday, fun with my family , go green and all that jazz.
My dad says it's harder now but in totally different and very stressful ways . He says cars a cheaper now which threw me at 30 and 40k , but when he pointed out wages back then he was right.
He reckons he wouldn't run a business now for quids and wouldn't know where to start with all the crap involved in getting finance , paying a bill or employing someone.
Cheers.
PS , my daughter can't believe me and wifey survived childhood without a DS, that's a funny one , she was dumbfounded !