People used to build entire lives around certain goals. Some of these were tied to family, others to money & career. But times have changed. Here are fourteen life goals that, according to the people we asked, no longer make sense in 2025. Which one do you think is the most unachievable?
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Working hard so your kids can have it better than you
Working hard enough that your kids would have a better life was once the whole point. You’d put in long hours & skip vacations. You’d also push through burnout, just so your kids could live a better version of your life. But it’s not that easy anymore. Many parents do this, and yet their adult kids still can’t afford rent. The math has just stopped working.
Buying a forever home
People really did think they’d find “the one.” That wasn’t necessarily a person, but a house. It was the norm to dream of buying a house once & raising kids in it. You’d also retire there. But now, you’re lucky if you can even buy one house, let alone settle in it. Life moves and work changes. The idea of being able to stay put doesn’t work anymore. At least, not for most people.
Marrying your high school or college sweetheart for life
Here’s a story everyone wanted. You’d meet someone when you were both young, marry early & never look back. Yet most people don’t do things this way anymore. Some people don’t even start dating until their 30s and others avoid marriage entirely. A sweetheart-for-life? That’s just a fairytale now.
Reaching millionaire status by age 40
In the ‘90s, the idea of being a millionaire by 40 was everywhere for a while. You’d see it on book covers & there were even seminars teaching you how to get there. But now, a million doesn’t go very far. You could have a million & still be budgeting. Of course, a million would be nice. Yet this life goal doesn’t mean what people thought it would.
Saving 10% of every paycheck for retirement
It was a rule to save 10%. Just set it & forget it, then you’ll be prepared for retirement. Not anymore. Some people don’t even get a paycheck, as they get payouts from four different freelance gigs. Other people struggle to just cover rent. Retirement isn’t even the focus for most people anymore. They’re trying to survive right now. Planning 30 years ahead? That’s a luxury.
Building wealth to leave an inheritance
Leaving money was once a great idea. You just had to pay off the house & save aggressively, then you could hand it all down. It’s a different story now. Life has become longer & more expensive. Healthcare alone can wipe out decades of savings, so now most people would rather use what they have while they’re here. They’ll help when they can. And if they can.
Owning land to pass down through generations
Owning land means owning legacy. That’s why so many people dreamed of having it, so they could keep it in the family & hand it down. But most of the younger generation doesn’t want it. Or they simply can’t keep it. Property taxes & zoning issues make owning land a real burden. There are also rising maintenance costs. Most land ends up getting sold off.
Paying off student loans before starting a family
Some people used to treat this like a hard rule. Their goal was to have kids only once their debts were paid off. That was a nice idea, until those numbers went out of control. People in their 40s are still paying off degrees from their 20s. As such, most people simply go ahead with life and keep paying slowly in the background. They have no other choice.
Having a big family with four or more kids
That’s not all for families. You used to hear people talking a lot about how they wanted a big family, which usually meant four, five, maybe more kids. That’s still a dream for some people. But for most, childcare costs are outrageous. Even basic stuff like clothes & food is way too much, so most people stop at one or two. They can’t afford to try.
Settling into your “forever job” by age 30
Pick a lane early, get good at it, stay put, and retire much further down the line. That was the plan. Now, though, most people burn out by 28 & switch fields five times. They might even go freelance just to stay sane. Nobody’s “settling” into anything because their jobs are more like seasons now. You do one thing & then move on when it stops working.
Opening a brick-and-mortar small business for retirement
There was a time when opening your own business for retirement felt like the dream. You could open a bakery, or a bookshop, maybe a plant store. But it doesn’t work like that in 2025. Rent costs alone are murder & people usually scroll more than they stroll. It’s not exactly a cute side hustle anymore. Instead, it’s a full-blown grind. And with bad odds.
Living off rental income from a second property you paid off by midlife
Anyone who bought a second house in the early 2000s can go ahead & cash in. However, for everyone else, that ship’s sailed. Getting a mortgage is near impossible. Renting out a house isn’t exactly hands-off either, as changes to tenant rights mean landlords have a lot more to deal with. Mailbox money? Not so much. They’re landlord problems.
Putting two kids through college with no loans
The idea of raising kids was simple. You’d save, support & then send ’em off, with no debt and no stress. But then tuition rates increased. Wages didn’t. Of course, parents try, sure, but even with two incomes, it’s a stretch to even get one kid into college. Just helping with books or for one semester is a win. Good luck trying that with two.
Earning enough by 55 to stop working & travel the country
For some people, this dream is still possible. They sell everything & hit the road to see the sights. But it’s not cheap. RV repairs are a nightmare, and campsites book up fast. The price of gas kills the mood. And then there’s the cost of healthcare, which is nearly impossible while you’re mobile. Is it even worth it?
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