"Times Have Changed": People Are Sharing Things That Were Normal In The '90s And '00s But Are Now Considered A Luxury

It's wild to think back on what many aspects of life used to be like back in the day compared with now — but especially when it comes to the price of things and the cost of living. I found this Reddit thread where u/zombiem00se asked, "What was normal 20 to 30 years ago but is considered a luxury now?" Buckle up, because some of these responses really had me scratching my head like, "Whoa, how times have changed!"

Teresa Giudice asking, "Did you forget?"
Bravo

1."New furniture made out of real wood."

A wooden dresser with ornate handles is placed on a blue rug. A stack of books rests on top. Decorative, patterned wall details are visible
Andreas Von Einsiedel / Getty Images

2."Owning the software you purchased."

u/FinnofLocke

3."Paying no more than 30% of your income in rent."

"For Rent" sign in front of a row of townhouses, indicating rental properties
Peter Dazeley / Getty Images

4."Not being expected to be reachable 24/7."

u/Siukslinis_acc

5."Concert ticket prices."

A performer on stage wearing a sparkly, fringed outfit holding a microphone

6."Single-income families buying a home."

u/THESSIS

7."Good-quality fabric in clothing. I have clothes from the '90s (and '80s from my mother) that still hold up today. These days, I'm lucky if my shirt isn't saggy and misshapen within a year."

u/TheMadLaboratorian

8."Being able to afford going out every Friday after work."

Two people sitting at a bar sharing a drink, smiling and conversing. The setting is a cozy, casual cafe with a lively atmosphere
Hinterhaus Productions / Getty Images

9."Items not requiring a subscription each month."

u/few29er

10."Household products that don't break within the first few years of use. My grandma had the same fridge from 1993 before deciding to switch to a newer, bigger one two years ago. My mom's wedding cookware is still going strong 25 years later, but whenever she needs new pans, they start flaking Teflon into the food within a few months."

u/parangolecomuna

11."Legroom on an airplane."

Person wearing a mask, seated alone on an empty airplane, looking out the window. Appears contemplative or engaged in travel-related work or reflection
Andrew Merry / Getty Images

12."Family vacations. I remember going on road trips regularly as a kid and even flying once or twice. Now that I have kids, I cannot afford a weeklong trip to the Badlands, Grand Canyon, Disney/Universal Studios, etc. The best I can do is a day trip to the Wisconsin Dells maybe once a year."

u/M5606

13."Free driver’s education classes taught in all high schools."

u/Working-Finger3500

14."Apartments. I could get a one-bedroom apartment in Wisconsin back in 1997 for under $500. Now that same apartment is at least $2,000."

Stacked moving boxes and plants in a sunlit room
Morsa Images / Getty Images

15."Meals on domestic flights."

u/Acceptable_Stop2361

16."Affordable healthcare."

u/RNGezzus

17."People making friends with one another purely because they enjoy their companionship and not because of networking."

u/butthenhor

18."Drinking water from the tap without filters and softeners."

A person fills a glass of water from a kitchen faucet, highlighting everyday tasks and resource use in a Work & Money context
D3sign / Getty Images

19."Clothing and shoes that last more than a year with regular wear."

u/SpacePirateFromEarth

20."Being able to dance and have a good time without having the risk that it will end up being recorded and put on social media."

u/allbright1111

Is there anything you would add to this list? If so, share it with me in the comments below!

Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.