The economy is in a truly bizarre place right now. Some countries are on the verge of a recession. Others may or may not have already gone through one and have rebounded, depending on what expert you ask. Inequality is deepening while shrinkflation is rearing its ugly head. And despite people grumbling about their expenses, not everyone is changing their spending habits. It’s a confusing time for all of us.
But something that many people have noticed is just how gosh-darn expensive things have gotten, from second-hand clothing to even regular fast food meals or just a cup of coffee in town. The r/AskReddit community shared what has completely shocked them in terms of prices, and we’ve collected their most relatable insights. Scroll down to read them.
#1
Movies at the theater. That ship has sailed for my family. Major movies now are at home within a few months. Even faster if they don’t light up the box office. I chose to invest in a kick a*s home theater and I have zero regrets.
Image credits: Mr402TheSouthSioux
#2
Concert tickets. It’s gotten to be over $100 to sit on the grass, in August, in Houston.
Image credits: Elren99
#3
I’m learning to cook again. Fast food and premade food is too expensive
Image credits: LahngJahn69420
Feeling wealthy isn’t about any exact number in your bank account. Feeling wealthy comes down to how you manage your income, expenses, savings, and investments. If you’re taking care of your and your loved ones’ needs and have enough cash left over to indulge in travel, hobbies, and fun activities—you’re living the life.
On the flip side, no matter how much you earn, you’ll never feel like it’s enough if you’re in debt and dipping into your savings to maintain a luxurious lifestyle.
#4
Just getting a drink at a bar.
Image credits: Cbrt74088
#5
Second hand clothing stores. Some of the things in there I can buy for same price, if not less, for brand new!
Image credits: tanser
#6
Housing
Image credits: anon
When it comes to spending money, you want to make sure that you’ve put together a budget and covered your core necessities (e.g. food, fuel, rent, clothing). Then, make sure that you’re thinking about the future and setting a certain portion of your cash aside either in your savings account, investing it, or a bit of both. Many personal finance experts call saving a portion of your paycheck “paying yourself first.”
However, just living off rice, beans, and tap water isn’t going to do wonders for your emotional and spiritual health. People need more than just survival. So even if you’re on a tight budget, set aside a small part of your wage to have some fun.
#7
Restaurants. Recently went out to eat for the first time in a year and spent 100$ for 2 and it wasn’t very good. Felt guilty spending almost a days pay on one meal.
Image credits: allykat19
#8
I’m only just coming to terms with this, but potato chips
Image credits: HadiyaZam
#9
Lyft / Uber aren’t nearly the deal they used to be.
Image credits: AceArtBox
Say, if you used to enjoy eating dinner downtown or grabbing a cup of coffee with a friend, do that from time to time. Or go see a movie at the (ridiculously overpriced) local cinema, treating yourself and your date to some popcorn. It’s the frequency of these activities that matters, not that we avoid them altogether. Otherwise, life is going to be very bland.
Of course, there are plenty of cheap and free ways to enjoy life, too. Learning to cook awesome meals at home is a ton of fun, improves your skills, and can really impress your social circle. Going for long hikes out in nature is a fine way to get fit and detach from all the tech in your life. It can be a good alternative to going to the gym if the membership costs have gone through the roof.
#10
Starbucks. A medium soy latte costs 7$ now.
Image credits: Milkweedhugger
#11
Fabric. When my daughter was little, I sewed clothes for her myself. Now, fabric is so expensive that it’s just cheaper to buy the clothes already made.
Image credits: Wise_Woman_Once_Said
#12
Groceries
Image credits: Zom3ieH8ter
At the end of the day, every tiny bit of additional income and every small saving quickly adds up. It’s up to you to decide what your priorities are going to be. If you’re a big fan of music, then naturally, you’ll still want to attend concerts. You’ll find ways to pay for those shockingly expensive tickets by cutting back in some areas of your life that you care less about. Like letting go of the half-dozen subscriptions you might have, slowly eating away at your bank balance.
Meanwhile, if you’re passionate about painting, traveling, or rebuilding that sweet 1967 Chevrolet Impala in your garage, you’ll find the budget for these things. You might have to reduce your expenses, but you’ll find that the cliche of skipping lattes at Starbucks can give your budget some additional flexibility.
#13
Delivered food – uber eats/door dash/grub hub… Who even uses them
Image credits: foodie_geek
#14
Frozen dinners. The entire appeal of the product was that you could buy a meal for $2-3. Now that they are $10, you might as well just buy actual food for dinner.
Image credits: twenty42
#15
Candy bars
69 cents? I’ll grab one from time to time. Full grown adult.
$2.69? Lol wut? That’s like actual money. For a candy bar? How are they still in business?
Image credits: anon
#16
Netflix, Prime, all the streaming services are too much these days.
Image credits: runtoaforest
#17
Ikea furniture. IKEA particle board junk is now the same price as real furniture made from real wood.
Not only that, but there has also been a noticeable decline in quality. Greedflation and enshittification all in one.
#18
Jerky
Image credits: DJski119
#19
Retirement
#20
Fast food. It’s literally cheaper to go to my local burger joint and get a burger than it is to go to Wendy’s and the burger is outrageously better. Plus they have beer.
Image credits: westerosi_wolfhunter
#21
My sons’ college tuition was 10 times what mine cost. I have a grandson coming up in a few years. Will it be 100 times more than mine?
Image credits: Queasy_Animator_8376
#22
F****n cereal man. Some grade A b******t
#23
tip culture, no way i have to tip on everything and be pressured too lmao
#24
Funyuns.
Those were my jam. We spent many a good time together. $5.49 for a 6oz bag though is criminal.
I could get almost 2 gallons of refined, dead dinosaur juice for that price.
#25
Childcare
#26
Brand new video games. I wait for a sale. I cannot pay 70 bucks for a base game.
#27
Replacing the windows for your house.
Obviously, if you need to replace one… you need to replace one. But there was once a time where replacing your windows for the energy savings over 15 years + increase in potential resale price was well worth it.
Now? You’re looking at $20k-$30k for what? $20 a month savings in energy usage? In a market where there could be a body in the basement which the potential buyer would let you leave so long as they got the house?
Image credits: TheTimeIsChow
#28
Grapes
I saw they were on ‘sale’ and at the till they were $10…for a bag of grapes…I said to the cashier, “please take them back. I can’t justify a half hour of work for a bag of freaking grapes”.
#29
Disney tickets.
#30
This may be a bit weird…I still buy it, but not as much as I used too…Gum. I used to buy 2 packs for $2.50 now it’s almost $4.50 for 1 pack.
#31
Soda. I could buy a 12 pack for $2.50-3.00 back then. Now theyre $12+. Like f**k that s**t. I switched to drinking coffee mixed with chocolate milk now cause of it.
#32
Anything that is pre-sliced/portioned/cut. It is like $8 for cut up cantaloupe where i live! I can get 3 cantaloupes and just cut them up in 5 minutes for the same price. Anything done for convenience in that way is out in our house!
#33
Acrylic Nails. I miss having them but omg
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