Late (born in 79) gen-x here. I learned early on that I wouldn't have a reliable pension or retirement, I would not have the same level of upward mobility that previous generations would have, and that I had to think of my future and plan for it in a different way.

To have a basic skepticism or distrust of any promises made to me that came from either the government or any medium to large corporation. To save aggressively from an early age, and most importantly to educate myself on finance and finance related topics.

The most important thing I learned or made myself do is to get out of the mindset of spending more money to match the rise of income I experienced as I got older, basically to live below my means and evaluate really really hard if I need to buy the latest tech, or fashion, or transportation, or trendy food, or clubs, etc. etc. etc.

Also to have my credit card paid off in full each month every month. The only exception to that rule I've made in the last 20 years was when I bought a house and built up a balance I couldn't pay off right away.

To summarize, what I learned is to direct my life as much as possible so my future well being is, as much as possible, not reliant on the government being able to take care of me, or my job at Corp X or even small or medium business Y being a certain thing. Or that the skillset I had which was in demand in the job market would be in demand forever.

I completely understand the pessimism of generations after me, from my point of view they are facing the same thing but worse. The general situation is seemingly going to be harder for them than Gen-x.

Similar for me. One of my lessons was to invest my valuable time working for myself instead of somebody else, and getting lots of exercise and focusing on my health because, I learned early on, insurance companies cannot be trusted.

An earlier Gen X reporting in to agree with this eloquently-written comment. I only want to add that my Silent parents never tried to sell me on the Baby Boomer dream retirement, having been raised by Lost Generation parents still shell-shocked from the effects of the Great Depression. They taught me to save, invest, and, as immigrants, to always keep family in mind.

born in 76 and your experience is very close to mine. cheers!