>>81614579 (OP)My father was not a loser but he was also born during an incredible economic boom in a homogenous, high trust society under a government that was economically and socially progressive while also being protective of its own people with extremely strict immigration laws that forced competition down. He was paid to go to university to become a professional and was massively promoted, repeatedly, outside of his skillset and experience because that's what happened when you had a degree back then. He also received a gigantic life insurance payout from a family member dying that would be worth 500k in modern money, which he used to invest into the booming housing market.
He worked hard but, at the same time, he lived his life during a period where putting in even minimal effort resulted in success, whereas my siblings and I live in a time where we are told that we should be happy living on chicken and beans and never owning a home.