25 signs of wealth and luxury back in the 50s, 60s and 70s that are now the bare minimum

As technology and lifestyles have evolved, so has our perception of luxury. Haven't we all heard a snarky comment from our parents or grandparents about how lavish our lives are? Their times were simpler, free from the constant presence of phones, the internet, and social media. What they considered luxurious—frequent vacations, smart devices, and basic home amenities—are now commonplace. Despite today's high cost of living, it's undeniable that many things seen as luxuries in their day are now easily accessible.

In today's fast-paced world, having your own car is almost a necessity. Unlike the self-sufficient families of the past, people now rely on store-bought items for everything from food to utilities. A stroll down memory lane reveals that many of today's basic essentials were once indicators of wealth in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. When u/helpmegetthrough1 asked older generations on Reddit, "What was a sign of being well off in your neighborhood or community in the 50s, 60s, or 70s?" some fascinating responses emerged. These reflections show how far we've come. Here are 25 signs of wealth from back in the day that are now everyday items.

1. Multiple cars

Two cars in the driveway. -u/Maleficent_Scale_296.

2. Bathrooms

In my neighborhood - two bathrooms. Pretty uncommon. -u/QV79Y.

3. Owning a phone

Having your own phone line. We had a party line where four families were on one phone line. You just picked up the phone and if someone was talking, you hung it up and waited your turn. -u/ScarlettStandsUp.

4. Television

In the 50’s, it was having a television. In the 60’s, a color television. In the 70’s, a color TV with a remote and in the late 70’s, it was cable with MTV. -u/Crafty-Shape2743.

5. Full-size candy bars

The rich family on our block of middle-class families would give out full-size candy bars on Halloween. -u/Desperate_Fly_1886.

6. A classy driveway

My father thought that having red dog gravel in your driveway was the height of class. -u/Gomphos.

7. Air-conditioning

In the 50s, it would have been a window air conditioner. In the 70s, it was whole house air conditioning. -u/Silly-Resist8306.

8. Intercom

The ground pool and an intercom system in your house. My current 1995 build house has the original intercom system and I just cannon bring myself to tear it out. -u/NomadFeet.

9. Tennis court

70s. If your house had a tennis court, you were of money. u/bmbmwmfm2.

10. Perfect lawn

Having a perfect lawn and a lawn service to mow for you. Lawn services were not nearly as common as they are today. -u/wtwtcgw.

11. A unique front door

The front door. If it wasn't the same as everyone else's, it meant that the house/flat was now privately owned, instead of being owned by the Council. -u/Scotsgit73.

12. Extracurricular activities

Having extracurriculars, like ballet lessons. Most of us just had to hang out not at home. -u/xeroxchick.

13. Disneyland

Families that took vacations out of state or went to Disneyland. -u/Heavy_Expression_323.

14. Flying on airplanes

One of those little complimentary travel bags the airlines handed out to passengers. Flying = rich. -u/Scottybt50.

15. Braces

Kids having braces. u/CLouiseK.

16. Vacations

Owning a second home and taking elaborate vacations on top of that. Think beach house and 3 weeks in Switzerland. Kids would go to sleep away camp for the whole summer. -u/brotogeris1.

17. Whole house vacuum cleaner

The richest kid I knew had a whole house vacuum cleaner system.  -u/CaryWhit.

18. Dishwasher

In the late 50’s my grandmother had a maid, two cars, and a dishwasher! I did not see a dishwasher in anyone else’s house until the 70’s. -u/cannycandelabra.

19. American Express card

My grandparents always said that having an American Express card was a sign that you had 'made it' back in the day. -u/MericaMericaMerica.

20. Fitted carpets

Wall to wall carpeting. A heat source that wasn't a wood stove. -u/Killer-Barbie.

21. Electric stair lift

We all had open staircases but the lawyer’s house had an electric chair that rode a track the whole way up. -u/NANNYNEGLEY.

22. Entertainment console

An entertainment console - a big horizontal cabinet that held a radio, tv and a hi fi record player or, if you had really made it, stereo! -u/Dear-Ad1618.

23. House help

The help, most everyone had a maid, who was also a cook, nanny, and housekeeper. -u/Granny_knows_best.

24. Huge Christmas tree

At Christmas time, the rich people would have huge trees with the white flocking stuff setting in the living room window. They always had their curtains open so everyone could see right in their house. -u/Outrageous_Click_352.

25. Microwave

My friend's mom had the first microwave that I'd ever seen back in early 70s. -u/No-Lie-802.