Quality benefits cost an employer around $8 an hour all up - that's a good healthcare plan where your family can actually afford to see a doctor when needed, 401k, stock plan, etc. I've seen so many young folks pass up an offer because another was higher but they never take into account the benefits. It's completely lost on them how making $20 an hour is better than $25 if that $25 an hour job has no benefits.
My grandparents were a 2 income family working for GM back in the 60s and they lived in a 2 bed 1 bath house that was maybe 900 sq ft and they shared a single car. They never complained and thought they had it pretty good. A 2 income family working the Amazon warehouse today is pulling in $60k a year plus benefits minimum, probably closer to $75k with any competence and experience. Could they afford a 900 sq ft 2 bed 1 bath house and one basic domestic sedan? Absolutely, but they would consider that an unacceptably poor standard of living and be rioting in the streets. That's the real difference between yesterday and today.
