Eddie’s Corner: I Got Called A BOOMER 😱

Author: Eddie Jett

Yeah, that’s right, I got called a Boomer. Why? Because I said, “If you want to make more money, you have to go out there and work for it!” OBVIOUSLY, my accuser didn’t know the time span of the Boomers and OBVIOUSLY he didn’t know that I was born 11 years after that time span ended! The “Boomer” generation was from 1946 to1964. Yep, do the math… I’ll hit the big 5-0 this year. Yay for me! All that aside, let’s discuss why my young accuser made such an egregious claim. LOL!

During a break in my class there was a conversation ongoing about the economy, interest rates and high inflation when my accuser, who we will call “Sidewall”, made the statement of “it’s not fair” in regard to what he gets paid. Bad statement for him to make when there were 3 men in the room that are old enough to be his dad! I said explain, to which he replied, “I don’t make enough money to afford a house, a car and then have any money left over.” I then replied with “then get out there and work for it!” That’s when I got hit with the Boomer title! Haha! He then went on to complain about how CEO’s make 50% of the profit and then the other 50% gets distributed to all of the other hard-working peons like himself. (That’s not how it works) And then he said it again, “It’s not fair.” I sat back, smiled and shook my head in disbelief. So did the other two “Boomers” in the room.

In my humble opinion, the statement of “It’s not fair” absolutely ruins the morale and psyche of the person using it. Yes, things are not fair. Life is not fair. I have been married to my beautiful wife Molly for 28 years. We have truly lived through the “for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer” part of our vows (and still are!) but what we have never said is it’s not fair. Yeah, we want the nicer house, the newer cars, the best clothes, the best schools for our kids but all of that comes with a cost and wait for it… a sacrifice.

Let me ask you young-uns’ some questions… How many subscriptions do you have? Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Paramount+, YouTube TV, Comcast, DirecTV, Xbox, PlayStation, Sirius XM?  How’s your internet speed? Do you have fiber? How much did that cell phone cost? How much is your wireless plan every month? How old is your vehicle? What is your monthly payment on that nice new vehicle? How awesome is the stereo system or rims on said vehicle? How cool or warm is it in your house or apartment? Do you see where I’m going?  If there was some of this that you could do without, you could save thousands of dollars a year and give yourself a raise.

But Boomer Eddie, I should be making a “living wage.”  A “living wage?” What does that even mean? I believe it is a politically motivated phrase that means you should get paid more money than what the job is worth just so things are “fair.” What you SHOULD be making is what you are worth. Do you show up for work on time? Do you call out on a regular basis? Are you good at your job? Are you a constant learner? Are you loyal? Are you presentable? Do you complain? Do you go above and beyond what your job duties are? Have you ever sacrificed for your company? All of these are factors that come into play when it’s decided what you should get paid. Remember this… Someone is always watching you. No matter what your job title or position in the company, someone is always watching.

Sacrifice? Why do I have to sacrifice? Nobody likes that word because it means they will have to do without, but sometimes we have to sacrifice now for the good things we want later. You may have to sacrifice your weekends for a second job. You may have to sacrifice some subscriptions in order to pay off a credit card. Don’t let the three words of it’s not fair dictate your outlook on life! You’ve heard it many times and I’ll say it again, Life. Is. Not. Fair. Work hard. Sacrifice. Your parents did and so can you.

Do you want to be successful? I’ll give you some advice…

1.      Invest in yourself

2.      Don’t expect hand-outs

3.      Keep your head down and work hard

4.      Put in the hours

5.      Sacrifice

6.      Educate yourself

7.      Be disciplined

8.      Don’t complain

9.      Remember, nothing is free

10.  Kick the phrase of “It’s not fair” out of your brain!

Call me a Boomer, that’s fine, but ask any successful person what they had to do to be successful and see what they tell you. I bet you’ll hear some of the aforementioned. Ask your parents if they ever sacrificed on your behalf. Better yet, go ask your CEO if they ever sacrificed, or are sacrificing, to be in the position they are in! Oh, how I’d love to be a fly on the wall when you do…. Sidewall, you’re going to be ok! Just change your train of thought. You are NOT a victim, you just gotta go get it!

To all of my “Boomer” friends out there who have sacrificed and are maybe still sacrificing, don’t stop (Cheers to you!) and lift up a prayer for them young-un’s! They need it!

-Boomer Eddie-

P.S. If any of you Boomers want to weigh in, feel free!