Baby boomers on Australian millennials and Gen Z: 'Work three jobs if you have ... trends now

It is a debate certain to ignite inter-generational warfare. Who had it harder: the baby boomers or today's younger generations?

While the Australian dream of one day owning your own home was a tangible reality for those born in the post-war years, many Millennials and Gen Z seem to have all in terms of leisure and holidays - but abandoned hope of ever stepping on to the property ladder. 

When the Reserve Bank hiked interest rates for the 10th month in a row, it prompted many older Australians to recall their own struggles, when rates hit 18 per cent in 1989.   

Daily Mail Australia canvassed members of the boomer generation in Cronulla, in Sydney's Sutherland shire, to see whether they really thought it was easier in their day - and whether they had any advice for their younger counterparts currently struggling to buy a home. 

Chris, a retired firefighter who swims a couple of kilometres most days, owns a large two-storey home in Cronulla where he lives with nine members of his family.

'When I started and got my house - I scratched (for money),' he said.

'And then rates went up to 18 per cent and it was even worse. Yes, they have got big problems these days but, Jesus Christ, we had it in the old days too. 

'It was really tough. I worked two jobs for thirty years, I started off on the beach as a lifeguard and used to work my two days off at a factory.'

Chris, who first bought a house when he was 28, later worked as a fireman where he would do four days of shift work before another four days at the factory. 

'Life isn't easy: it wasn't easy for us then and it isn't easy for them now,' he said. 

'But they are young and they can do it. Work two jobs. Work three jobs if you have to. My wife used to work as well as me. It was a struggle - it really was.'

He added: 'They have got it harder in ways because there's more toys to play with. It's just a fact of life. In our days you didn't have bugger all. You didn't carry around a phone with you or have a big flashy bloody watch.'

Marlene Vale, 73, bought a two-bed apartment 'off the plan' in Sutherland, south Sydney, in 1994 by herself where she still lives.  

'Even back then people had their struggles,' she said. 'Buying off the plan was a way to get into the market. 

'Young people these days are a bit frightened of getting into debt but if you are smart enough you can buy off the plan and rent and you can have an apartment 20 years down the track.'

Ms Vale, who is retired but used to work in advertising, said she rejected the 'negative' idea that young people have the odds stacked against them.

'I don't know what it is - whether kids are being brainwashed into thinking they can't get into the property market,' she said. 'Well, work hard. I worked two jobs.' 

She added: 'I think in today's world young people want it all at once. That's not how life is. You've got to save. A lot of younger people prioritise holidays.'

Ms Vale worked as a receptionist at her local RSL on weekends for extra cash in her late forties.

'It was unsociable hours but I got good money,' she said.

However, she conceded that things were 'very difficult for young people'.  

'It's more difficult now with the cost of living, especially with childcare. That's a major factor for young parents.'

'Years ago things didn't go up every year - you've got your water, electricity, gas. And also too, in today's world you've got all the technology too. 

'We never had that - we had a landline and that was it. We never had the internet plan, the mobile phone plan, the Netflix plan and whichever other plan you've got which rakes up the bill per month.' 

Ms Vale's two children, both in their 50s, have bought properties.

'There are some young people that are out there and are very positive,' she said.

'I've got a 34-year-old grandson who's a lawyer and he works bloody hard. But he's got that mindset of not wanting to get into debt.'

Her advice for younger people is: 'Just go out of your comfort zone a bit. Try and get a good-paying second job.'

Childhood sweethearts Carol and Terry both agreed that the younger generation had it harder these days. 

'I think it's hard - I wouldn't want to be a young person these days,' said Terry.

Terry, 76, bought his first property when he was 20 - a two-bed unit in St George, south Sydney, for $11,900. 

His carpenter wage of

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