People are sharing the simple pleasures of life that were 'ruined' by the rich

Over time, inflation has caused people to shift from buying assets to seeking out more affordable alternatives. Even the super-rich, often in search of “what’s trending,” have turned to simpler options. However, this shift has inadvertently driven up demand and prices for once-accessible items, leaving the middle-class feeling squeezed. A Reddit user, u/Lattethecoffeaddict, sparked a discussion on how wealth disparity has “ruined” once cherished small pleasures. Many who agreed with the assertion placed the blame on the wealthy, particularly celebrities, for this troubling shift. As the online community discussed the growing wealth inequality, concerns were raised about losing access to once-affordable pleasures.

From exclusive thrift shopping to affordable housing in small towns, the list of lost opportunities continues to grow. Many shared their frustration over how these once-accessible pleasures are now priced out of reach. Here are the twenty best comments where people reflect on how wealth disparities have affected their daily lives. They pointed out that, in pursuit of exclusivity and prestige, the wealthy have made once-common items harder to obtain. Keep reading for the sharpest and most insightful responses to the Reddit post.

1. Thrift Shopping

"I used to thrift a lot and found it it got ruined right when that damn Macklemore song came out, it's like he told everyone a secret. I used to be able to go thrifting and come back with like 3 new work shirts and a pair of pants for like $15, good clothes too, some with the tags still on it. After that damn song, good luck finding my size at all, the clothes that were left were all s**t, and they want $10 for a shirt now." -u/h4terade

2. Cheaper Towns

"Formerly cool towns around the country like Denver, Austin, Asheville, and more." -u/ennuionwe

3. Food Trucks

"They were once a convenient place to get good food for cheap. Now they're expensive and don't offer any of the advantages or comforts of a restaurant. Not to mention that they all expect a 20% tip for handing you food from a window." -u/DabLord5425

4. Coastal Property

"My grandfather bought a house on Cape Cod when he retired from being an airline mechanic in the late '60s. He wasn't poor, but he sure as hell wasn't rich. Today, a normal middle-class person wouldn't be able to do that. Even if you inherit a house free and clear, the property taxes will eat you alive if you aren't made of money." -u/nakedonmygoat

5. Collectibles

"In the past few years, the price of little collectibles and things of that sort has gotten incredibly high. I'm talking cards, Legos, action figures, you name it. Whatever your hobby is, people are dropping your entire salary in just one day for related collectibles." -u/NoBenefit5977

6. Montessori Schools

"The method was created to give a good education to students in need despite little funding. Now it’s some sort of 'elite' schooling for $20,000-plus a year." -u/newluna

7. Affordable Clothing Brands

"Stuff like Carhartt, Dickies, Levi’s, and so many more. Why did a Dickies T-shirt go from $15 to almost $40 in just a few years?" -u/nativesnake

8. Music Festivals

"They used to be a bunch of hippies having a good time and doing drugs. Now it's all rich kids taking selfies dressed as hippies and doing drugs." -u/Ombutztante

9. Cheap Food Options

"Foods like donuts, cupcakes, hamburgers and wings that have all been given the 'foodie' treatment. These foods were transformed from good, cheap eats to gourmet bites demanding jacked-up prices... and without a corresponding increase in quality." -u/SonofSniglet

10. Camping

"It once cost close to nothing to reserve a campsite. And while some are still affordable, now many have gone all bougie. Some sites charge you ridiculous fees just to pitch a tent in the woods." -u/porquenolosdo2

11. Lobster

"At one point, this shellfish was considered to be the 'cockroach of the sea.'" -u/stitch713

12. Concerts

"You can’t even buy a beer at a concert these days for what a general admission ticket used to cost, and people still pay for it." -u/Theplaidiator

13. Tacos

"I recently went to a taco food truck where they put like 100 ingredients on one taco and charged $20 for it. I would rather go to the Mexican place down the street and get a plate of four tacos for $10." -u/Themanwhofarts

14. The State Of Colorado

"I was born there, but now I'm forever priced out of my hometown. All my friends and I have moved because we just can’t afford to live there anymore. It's mostly expensive due to housing, but skiing also used to be an affordable hobby that has become prohibitively expensive." -u/ChufferMagee

15. Sporting Events

"I stopped going to professional sporting games because I can only afford the terrible seats. It's not worth it anymore." -u/maninthemoonpie

16. Rental Homes

"The overabundance of Airbnbs and $2,000 studio apartments in rural/suburban places is outrageous and ruining the opportunities for low-income and working-class people to have a roof over their heads. I live in New York state, and ever since COVID, all these rich city folk are buying up all the cheap places in the country and trying to make a profit off of them." -u/Far-Gain-3081

17. Mountaineering

"Old-school ski mountains with family vibes and stoner lifties rocking to music. We always watched those silly 'ski patrol' movies about big corporations coming in and turning them into yuppieville... and then it happened." -u/RatPackRaiders

18. Toast

"Hear me out. Years ago, when I was counting pennies to get by, I would make 'fancy toast' like avocado toast, cinnamon-and-sugar toast, or peanut butter banana toast as a meal or snack because it was super cheap. I went to brunch a few weeks ago and saw avocado toast on the menu for $11." -u/km_amateurphoto

29. Denim

"Jeans used to be cheap and durable, clothes you could wear for years doing hard labor. Now they’re expensive and poor quality, and they come with holes already in them just to mimic the aesthetic of the working class." -u/lettherebemorelight