Devin Jacobs
Back then, money spoke in the simplest ways—a shiny gadget, an extra snack at lunch, or a yard that doubled as a playground. Kids didn’t need price tags to know who had more. Ready to time-travel into the flexes of childhood wealth? Let’s crack open the memory box.
Trampoline In The Backyard
Owning a trampoline meant you were rich, plain and simple. The price ran into hundreds, and most families couldn’t justify it. Parents worried about falls but kept standing. Your yard became the meeting spot, the one place every kid wanted to be on Saturday afternoons.
Game Boy Color
Recess changed the day someone pulled out a Game Boy Color. Crowds formed instantly, and whoever owned it became the center of attention. The console wasn’t cheap, especially the transparent purple version that everyone seemed to want. Having one meant you weren’t just playing games—you were showing off status in pixels.
Cable TV With Nickelodeon
Cartoons after school hit differently when you had cable. Subscriptions added costs that many families skipped, so not everyone could watch Nickelodeon or Cartoon Network. Conversations about episodes left some kids quiet. And at sleepovers, you noticed the luxury most: channel surfing late into the night without running out of options.
Nintendo 64
Basements became battlegrounds when the Nintendo 64 appeared. Released in 1996 at a steep price, it wasn’t something everyone had. So, four controllers made multiplayer the ultimate flex. Mario Kart and GoldenEye turned ordinary evenings into legendary nights and cemented the console as a true status symbol.
Walkman With Anti-Skip
The kid with anti-skip tech never sat alone. Friends gathered close, waiting for a turn, because smooth music during bumpy rides felt like magic then. So, owning one meant paying extra, plus having the CDs to match. You might remember how even a short song felt special.
Branded Lunchboxes
At school, lunch carried more meaning when it came in a branded box. Licensed designs cost more than plain ones, and the matching thermos pushed them further. You could spot them instantly across the table. For classmates, those sets were small luxuries that turned meals into a quiet show.
Family Computer Room With Internet
Internet access at home once carried a steep monthly price. Families that paid for it often set up a shared “computer room,” where kids could log onto Messenger or early websites. Many children without home internet turned to public libraries instead, which highlighted the divide between those who had access and those who didn’t.
Razor Scooter
At nearly $100, Razor Scooters didn’t land in every kid’s driveway. The cost alone separated them from basic toys. Safety gear often showed up alongside them, but style mattered more. Custom grip tape gave each scooter personality, further making the ride feel less like play and more like flair.
Private Swimming Pool
Installing a pool demanded more than a one-time payment. Families faced constant costs for cleaning and maintenance, which made them rare. Despite the expense, summers turned those backyards into the ultimate hangout. Children might not have known the numbers, but they always noticed who had water waiting at home.
Lunchables
Opening a Lunchables tray in the cafeteria sets you apart immediately. They cost more than simple homemade meals, so not everyone had them. In fact, pizza kits were the ones everyone wanted most. Desserts inside fueled trades, and you saw how quickly food turned into a marker of status.
Beanie Babies Collection
Shelves stacked with plush toys were investments in many parents’ eyes. In fact, rare editions like the Princess Diana bear sold for hundreds. Kids checked tags carefully to compare authenticity. Collections turned into displays and changed bedrooms into miniature galleries of fabric wealth that everyone noticed.
PlayStation 2 On Release
In 2000, the PlayStation 2 quickly became the most talked-about console. Its nearly $300 price meant not every kid got one immediately. It even doubled as a DVD player, adding to the excitement. And at gatherings, you saw how it brought kids together for nights that stretched on.
Designer Sneakers (Air Jordans)
Fresh Jordans on the playground needed no introduction. They cost far more than ordinary sneakers, and only a handful wore them proudly to class. Even scuffed pairs held status. Friends asked to try them, knowing they were touching something tied to fashion and cultural power.
Owning A Dog Breed Like A Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers quickly became neighborhood standouts. This is because purebreds cost far more than mixed breeds, with veterinary bills and grooming adding layers of expense. Pedigrees gave children something to be proud of, and you could see how those details turned ownership into a mark of wealth.
Portable DVD Player
The sight of a movie playing in a moving car felt futuristic. Portable DVD players carried hefty price tags, often exceeding $1000, which kept them out of reach for most families. Long journeys also turned into mini theaters for the lucky few.
Super Soaker Water Guns
Summer water fights took on a new level when someone carried the biggest Super Soaker. These cost far more than simple squirt guns, and ownership made you the center of every game. Neighbors lined up to borrow one. Even battles felt cinematic, with spray arcs catching the sunlight.
Owning A Treehouse
Once a treehouse took its place in the yard, play itself took on new possibilities. Building one took both money and effort, which also kept them rare. You might remember kids stringing up lights or inventing entry codes. Inside, there were snacks and a few treasures that only friends were allowed to see.
Polaroid Camera
Friends gathered close whenever a Polaroid shot was taken. The cameras carried a higher price tag, and the film wasn’t affordable for every family. Everyone waited for the picture to clear. Finished shots often ended up pinned to corkboards or taped beside childhood drawings.
Disney VHS Collection
Entire shelves filled with colorful spines revealed the cost of collecting Disney cassettes. Many were priced so high they felt out of reach for most. Kids showed off rare “vault” releases, which gained bragging rights. Group sleepovers also turned into long marathons fueled by these animated classics.
Having Your Own Bedroom TV
A television in your own room was more than a decoration. Before flat screens dropped prices, it was a serious expense. Having one meant late-night cartoons without parents, flipping channels without compromise, or plugging in a console directly. That kind of control turned four walls into a private entertainment zone.