Oddly enough, 2008 is exactly what inspired my comment and it's based off my exact experience back then. I couldn't afford investing in the market, I couldn't afford a home, and the interest on car loans were higher. All of that changed after the 2008 collapse. First I should mention that I was laid off and unemployed during some of it, so there was a huge negative impact for sure. What followed after though was amazing. I was able to invest in some $1-$5 stocks in the market that were previously not obtainable to me. This investment actually took me/my wife from being in debt living with my in-laws to completely out of debt and into our own place. Once I finally got employed again, I was able to save up enough just in time to buy a home at near the bottom with low interest. Car loans were also low interest. It was life changing and for the better in my situation.
This is actually kind of inspiring. Obviously, I still feel concerned about the parallels between the 2008 housing crisis and the current tech bubble bursting. But as someone who also wants to get into investing but feels to broke to do so, now I know I just have to wait until the world is burning (kidding, lol). All jokes aside, this is still interesting. Especially as someone who will live through both.