I think it is some of both. Doing without or compromising for your own financial well being is well established pattern. For example, don’t buy or lease a car beyond your means is a perfect example of a poor decision that holds one back. Our society doesn’t help with offering 8-year car loans and sales people convincing a young adult how affordable the vehicle is.

So in some ways younger generations are not setup for success. Their own fault. In some ways they create their own self-demise. Eating out constantly when making your own food or coffee is a perfectly viable option.

In total, society owes it to itself to ensure future generations are successful. I don’t think we’re doing that well enough.