Lisa O
Life keeps getting more expensive, and every day people are starting to feel it in the smallest ways. It’s not just about big-ticket items—it’s the simple stuff that used to be part of normal life. Groceries, meals, even basic treats now feel like luxuries. While some things were always pricey, others quietly slipped out of reach. Here are 15 things regular people can’t afford like they used to.
Grabbing a coffee every morning.
Getting your favorite latte used to be a harmless little treat, but now it’s starting to feel like a splurge. What was once a $2 habit has crept into the $6 or $7 range, and that adds up fast. With prices this high, many people are going back to brewing at home, not because they want to, but because they can’t justify a cup that costs more than lunch.
Weekend brunch outings.
Brunch used to be a relaxing way to catch up with friends, but now it comes with a side of sticker shock. Between fancy egg dishes, overpriced toast, and bottomless drinks, one meal can wipe out half your grocery budget. More people are skipping the restaurant entirely and opting for homemade pancakes or eggs at home—no mimosa, no tip, no $18 avocado toast.
Buying name-brand snacks.
Regular folks used to toss things like Oreos, Doritos, or Lunchables into their cart without thinking twice. But now, those familiar snack brands come with inflated price tags that make even the generics look very expensive. Families are turning to off-brand versions or baking their own treats just to stretch the budget. When a bag of chips costs the same as a full meal, something’s off.
Going out for fast food “just because”.
Fast food used to be the cheap and easy fallback when you didn’t feel like cooking. But now? A basic combo meal for one person can cost over $10. Feeding a family at a drive-thru feels more like a luxury than a convenience. People are realizing they can cook spaghetti or sandwiches at home for half the price and skip the long lines too.
Weekly takeout nights.
A Friday night takeout meal used to be a normal end-of-week treat, but prices have crept up across the board. Delivery fees, service charges, and tips pile onto already expensive menu prices. What once felt casual now feels like a financial decision. Many families are swapping takeout for freezer meals, homemade pizza nights, or just reheating leftovers to stay within budget.
Meat on a regular basis.
It’s not just steak—ground beef, chicken, and even basic deli meat are stretching wallets thinner than ever. Meat used to be a dependable part of everyday meals, but now it’s become something people plan around carefully. Some are switching to more pasta, rice, beans, or eggs (when those aren’t overpriced too), while others are cutting meat out altogether during the week just to save money.
Eating at sit-down restaurants.
A meal out at a sit-down restaurant used to be something regular people did once in a while—birthdays, date nights, or just when they didn’t want to cook. Now, even those occasional outings feel out of reach. With rising food costs, tips, and drink prices, dinner for two can cost more than a small grocery run. More folks are staying in and cooking something special at home instead.
Grabbing a treat at the grocery store.
Throwing a pint of ice cream or a small dessert into the cart used to be no big deal. But now, even simple indulgences feel like a financial stretch. A box of cookies, a frozen cheesecake, or a tub of your favorite flavor can be nearly $8 or more. So people are skipping treats they used to enjoy, not because they want to, but because they have to.
Ordering drinks with meals.
It used to be normal to order a soda or iced tea with your meal, but now that small drink might cost $3 or more. Multiply that by a family of four, and suddenly you’ve added $10+ to your bill for beverages alone. Many are going back to plain water or skipping the drinks altogether, even at restaurants, just to keep the final tab from getting out of hand.
Buying fresh berries or specialty produce.
A small container of raspberries or blueberries now costs as much as a full lunch. Things like asparagus, avocados, and fresh herbs that used to be easy adds to a cart now make people hesitate. Many are sticking with frozen vegetables or whatever’s on sale, and avoiding the fresh produce section unless absolutely necessary. It’s tough when even fruit starts to feel like a luxury item.
Eating healthy on a tight budget.
It’s getting harder to afford food that’s both good for you and satisfying. Whole grains, fresh fish, lean meats, and organic produce are all priced higher than ever, leaving many to rely on cheaper, more processed alternatives. It’s not about poor choices—it’s about cost. For a lot of people, affordability comes before nutrition now, even if they’d rather eat better.
Hosting casual get-togethers with food
Inviting people over used to mean snacks, drinks, maybe a few pizzas, or a simple potluck. Now, even a small gathering can cost as much as going out. Chips, dips, drinks, and desserts all add up fast. So people are either cutting back on how often they host or keeping it barebones—no extras, just the essentials—because feeding a crowd is no longer budget-friendly.
Subscribing to meal kits
Meal kits were once seen as a fun way to mix things up in the kitchen. But for many regular households, they’re now firmly out of budget. What’s pitched as “affordable and convenient” quickly becomes expensive when compared to buying your own ingredients. The portion sizes don’t always match the price either, and people are realizing that planning meals themselves stretches dollars a lot farther.
Trying new food trends
Whether it’s trying oat milk lattes, artisan hot sauces, or viral TikTok recipes with five specialty ingredients, staying up-to-date with food trends now feels like a luxury. These things used to be small splurges, but with everything so expensive, many are sticking to basics. It’s not that people don’t want to explore. It’s that they simply can’t afford to experiment with food the way they used to.
Bringing home rotisserie chicken
There was a time when rotisserie chicken was the best solution for busy families. It was quick, very tasty, and pretty cheap. But now? Prices have gone up, sizes have gone down, and what used to be a smart shortcut now feels like an overpriced compromise. More people are turning to cheaper protein options or cooking in batches themselves instead of relying on the once-affordable grocery store classic.