Things that used to be affordable but are now really expensive
It seems you can't leave the house these days without money evaporating into thin air. Was it always the case? No, you're not imagining it—the cost of some things really has shot through the roof. In case you don't remember, or weren't around, we've compiled a list of events and items that were reasonably affordable in the past, but are now really expensive. Curious? Click on to discover what they are!
Camping
Camping used to be one of the most affordable options for families and groups of friends, but the cost has gone up. The gear is more expensive, and the places where you can camp usually charge a nightly fee that, while less than a hotel, isn't exactly "cheap."
Fast food
Back in the day, fast food was a cheap and easy dining option. Nowadays, even with inflation, it's cheaper to buy the items at the grocery store and cook up your own meal.
A home
The cost of owning a home has skyrocketed, outpacing salary growth. Indeed, the gap between the cost of a home and average income has widened exponentially.
Coffee
Who remembers the days when a store-bought latte was affordable? Today, it's difficult to find reasonably priced coffee, especially at bigger, chain coffee shops.
Weddings
Weddings fell within the pricey but affordable range in the past. Today, even a modest event is part of a wedding industry, before you count things like engagement parties and weekends away for bachelor and bachelorette parties.
Repairs
There was a time when buying a part and getting a repair was the logical thing to do, if something was broken. Now, repairs can be so expensive it's cheaper to buy something new altogether. Make it make sense!
New cars
The average cost of a car has risen US$10,000 since September 2020. Yes, you read that correctly. Supply chain issues and more EVs on the market are just some reasons why this is the case.
Razors
The price of razorblades has soared in the past decades. It's not unusual for a pack of replacement razor blade heads to cost US$40 today, while razors marketed to women have been found to cost up to 11% more than men's: despite being made of the same materials!
Privacy
Something that perhaps previous generations have taken for granted is their privacy. Today, with our lives lived largely online, and the proliferation of cameras and camera phones, privacy comes at a cost, whether that be VPN, ways to block ads, or encrypted software.
A new phone
When cell phones were first released, many contracts offered an upgrade every few years. Nowadays, you might at best get a small discount on a much more expensive new model.
A college/university education
When the older generation talk about working a summer job to pay for a year of college/university tuition, it really tells us something about how much the price has gone up in the meantime...
Road trips
The expensive cost of both fuel and owning a vehicle has directly increased the cost of the humble road trip, while costlier camping, groceries, and eating out indirectly make it more expensive now, too.
Skiing
It's hard to believe, but in the US at least, skiing had cheap, no frills options such as smaller hills in the '50s and '60s. In the meantime, that land was bought up by big resorts, which turn a much higher profit, leaving less options that are affordable.
Film camera
Digital images are easy to take, yet there's something so nostalgic about film cameras. But the colors and imperfect look are in demand, and that'll cost you.
Concert tickets
Similar to cinema tickets, concert tickets have have gotten a lot more expensive with time. It's not unusual to pay hundreds of dollars for a well-known visiting act, and even smaller gigs are costlier than they used to be.
Eating out
Menu food prices have soared 24% since January 2020, according to one report. Rising rents are partly to blame, alongside other rising costs, so it's naturally less affordable than it used to be.
Workout classes
Workout classes, particularly when bought in packs, used to be quite reasonable. Today, it's not unusual to pay US$30 for a single class, even with a pack discount.
