When it comes to money, millennials have a reputation for being lazy, entitled, and unwilling to work for financial success. But unlike older generations, a solid work ethic and a sense of fiscal responsibility aren't enough for many millennials to achieve their financial goals. Thanks to rising education costs, stagnant wages, and other factors, the road to financial security might be more difficult for millennials than for any generation since the Great Depression. This Investopedia article explains the financial realities millennials face — and how they're adapting to a more challenging economic landscape.