Even with a 'grant' (remember those?) our children needed funding through university, just at the same time mortgage rates went though the roof thanks to Thatcher. I never remember having money to spare. Certainly never had two cars, mutliple TVs, eating out, expensive holiday and the lifestyle that some of today's youngsters seem to take as their right.
Yes, I'm now on a final salary pension from teaching, but I worked damned hard for that, only taking a couple of years out when the children were babies.
Now, like any grandparents, we are still supporting our 'children' by providing a free childminding service so they can go out to work and contributing towards the cost of shoes, activities, holidays, etc.
I don't know why I let the likes of the DM get to me, but it's surprising how many people believe the crap rubbish it prints.