We all know that the price for most things isn’t the same as it used to be. For baby boomers, many everyday items were surprisingly affordable back in the day. However, for millennials those same items have now more than doubled in price. Here are 14 things that used to be cheap, but are now super expensive.
College Tuition
No doubt about it, college used to be something you could pay for with a part-time job. Boomers often talk about covering tuition by working summers or weekends, and it really was possible.
Today, though, younger folks are drowning in student loans. The price of college has gone up by thousands of dollars per year, and financial aid doesn’t stretch as far.
Houses
The older generation bought homes when prices were low and interest rates were reasonable. Many got their first houses for under $50,000, sometimes even less. Fast forward to now, and millennials are staring down six-figure prices for starter homes, even in modest neighborhoods.
Cars
Truth be told, buying a car used to be way more accessible. Seniors could pick up a new car without needing a loan that lasts seven years. In more recent times, car prices have massively increased. Even basic models come with hefty price tags, and financing terms are getting longer just to make monthly payments bearable.
Healthcare
Seriously, this hit younger folks hard. Back when baby boomers were younger, many had access to decent healthcare through their jobs at little to no cost. Insurance covered more and medical debt wasn’t a common worry. Fast forward to now, and millennials are paying out of pocket for high premiums.
Furniture
You might not think about this much, but furnishing a home used to be relatively cheap. Boomers often bought solid wood furniture that lasted decades, and they didn’t pay an arm and a leg for it. These days, the younger generation is either stuck with flimsy flat-pack options or paying a premium for quality.
Groceries
Everyone’s feeling this one lately, however, the older generation grew up when grocery prices were low, and store brands actually saved money. Today, young people are dealing with inflated prices for everything. Even the basics cost more, and it’s hard to shop cheap without sacrificing nutrition.
Rent
No surprise here: rent wasn’t always this high. Boomers could afford apartments on entry-level wages, often with enough left over to save. The younger generation hasn’t been so lucky. Rents have gone up dramatically, especially in cities.
Even smaller towns aren’t safe from rising costs. What used to be a stepping stone to homeownership now feels more like a financial trap.
Baby Supplies
Believe it or not, having a baby used to be a lot cheaper. Those over 60 never had to deal with $1,000 strollers or endless baby gear, especially as a lot of it could be handed down. Now, millennials are bombarded with products marketed as ‘must-haves’ for newborns, and prices have soared.
Pet Care
Just to put it out there, pets didn’t used to cost this much. So many seniors had pets growing up, but it didn’t cost much to care for them. A trip to the vet was affordable, and grooming wasn’t a luxury. Nowadays, folks in their 30s and 40s are spending big on their furry friends.
Utility Bills
Baby boomers remember paying just a few bucks a month for electricity and their phone service. But now, utilities are much higher, and that’s not even counting internet or streaming.
The millennial generation is paying for cell phones, high-speed Wi-Fi, data plans, and smart home features that didn’t even exist a generation ago.
Bicycles
It may sound silly, but even bikes have gotten pricey. Boomers used to pick up sturdy options from department stores without spending too much. More recently, a decent-quality bicycle can run hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars. Add in helmets, locks, lights, and repairs, and suddenly cycling isn’t so budget-friendly.
Wedding Costs
You’ve probably noticed this one if you’ve planned or attended a wedding recently. The older generation often had simple weddings in churches or backyards with family pitching in. Currently, weddings can cost tens of thousands of dollars, even small ones.
Young people are expected to cover everything themselves, and let’s not forget the pressure of social media, which pushes people to go all out.
Eyeglasses
This one may fly under the radar, but it adds up fast. Eyeglasses used to be cheap, especially if you only needed basic frames. Baby boomers could get a pair at the local optometrist for a reasonable price. Younger folks, on the other hand, often pay a small fortune. Designer frames, high-index lenses, blue light filters, and coatings add up fast.
Land
And finally, this one feels like a punch in the gut, as buying land used to be realistic for middle-class families. Boomers had a shot at owning a few acres or a nice empty lot without needing to be millionaires. Now? Land prices have exploded, especially near cities.
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