As having a strong work ethic is increasingly valued and respected, being hard-working no longer means you’re a geek. On the contrary, it's becoming a preferable lifestyle choice.

From being accustomed to renting our homes, and that power drill you only need once, we now don’t mind renting a nail polish that someone else has already had their hands on, or not owning our washing machine. But why aren’t people so keen to own material possessions anymore?

A cultural shift is occurring across America wherein many Boomers are struggling financially. Housing busts, stock market crashes and a lack of secure pensions have hit Boomers hardest, with the demographic poorer in old age than their parents were.

In a financially-tense climate, teenagers are proving more resilient and determined than ever. Youth consultant Ruby Pseudo offers a rare glimpse into the underworld of youth financing, from retail workers to lawbreakers.