Existing is expensive, and it continues to cost more and more. After someone polled the internet asking: “What is one thing that you flat out just don’t know how people afford?” Here are their top responses.
1. Veterinarian Bills
Having animals can be expensive, and these folks have no idea how you can afford your pet bills. Routine care and vaccinations cost hundreds of dollars. But if your beloved pet gets sick or has an injury, it can add up to thousands quickly. What’s worse? You need to pay the money upfront, or they won’t treat your animal.
2. Flying First Class
Flying first class is a luxury I’ve never afforded. I recently bought plane tickets and was dumbfounded at the first-class upgrade cost. It doubled the price of the trip! Needless to say, I opted out of that poor financial decision. But I agree with the others in the forum asking: “How do you all afford first-class?”
3. Weddings
“Here comes the bride,” all dressed in tens of thousands of dollars worth of debt! How are people affording weddings? Between the dress, venue, cake, music, and catering, is it worth it to drop $30k on one day?
4. Daycare
Childcare is expensive, yet the workers aren’t compensated enough for being responsible for your kid’s needs. It’s a terrible system. A mom shares: “We paid $42k/y for two kids in daycare. When I filed my taxes, the software had like a confetti animation to tell us we qualified for a $200 deduction…” Ouch.
5. Having Children
Daycare isn’t the only expense associated with raising children. Having kids is expensive. From birthing hospital costs to sending them to college, they are a commitment that will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
I have a cheerleader and had no idea how expensive maintaining that activity would be. Dance, athletics, and other hobbies that keep your kids passionate, educated, entertained, and out of trouble always cost an arm and a leg.
6. Mental Health Care
Mental health care is something that many people are in dire need of, but only a handful of them can afford it. Imagine your mental health struggles revolve around not having money or a job and being told you must have a small fortune to be treated for those struggles. Many health insurance plans don’t cover it. And without insurance? Forget about it.
7. Eldercare
Did you know that eldercare costs roughly $300 a day in most states? Of course, that number drastically increases if they need special care services for things like dementia.
According to Long-Term Care statistics, 3/4 of Americans who live to 21 live to 65, of which 2/3 will need long-term care for an average of three years. That translates to around $328k per person. Who can afford that — especially after decades of not working?
8. Tattoos
No. We aren’t talking about that tribal armband you paid 100 bucks for 20 years ago. Tattoos from reputable artists cost thousands of dollars, and people have no idea how you’re affording both ink and groceries today!
9. Cosmetic Surgery
Cosmetic surgeries like implants, facelifts, liposuction, laser skin resurfacing, dermabrasion, nose jobs, and lip fillers are costly. Still, there is an increase in people getting “things done.” How are you affording it?
10. Beauty Services
In addition to cosmetic surgeries, cosmetic and beauty procedures such as Botox injections, skin peels, eyebrows, lash and hair extensions, and nails cost a pretty penny. Other beauty services like having your hair colored, permed, or even cut nowadays are costly!
As a White mom who pays for braids for my biracial daughters, Black women’s hair service prices are insane. Known as the “Afro tax,” Black women pay four times more than White women for haircare.
I don’t know how anyone can afford to get braids done every six to eight weeks. For example, I paid $250 for box braids before the tip, so I spent $280. Every six weeks is roughly nine times a year, which makes hair maintenance cost $2520 annually. And that doesn’t even factor in buying the hair for the service!
11. Daily Coffee
Do you have a daily coffee expense? I’m from Washington, home to Starbucks and about a million other drive-thru coffee stands on every corner. I know about fighting the urge to get a coffee daily, and sometimes I catered to that expense. But that adds up!
A Venti, or large coffee drink with a tip, can be upward of $10 a day or $3650 annually. Getting an espresso machine for my home was one of my best financial decisions. I’m able to indulge without breaking the bank.
12. Private School
The Education Data Initiative reports that the average tuition at private day schools is $29,653. Private 5-day boarding school’s average annual tuition is $53,350. How? Countless individuals can’t comprehend how anyone is affording those prices.
13. Health Insurance
Between outrageous monthly premiums, deductibles, and copays, health insurance is a massive expense many Americans cannot afford. Add to that the fact that most plans don’t include vision, dental, massage, and mental health care, and you’ve got yourself another costly commitment.
The average monthly premium for a family of four is $1,437. However, this cost varies significantly by plan type and provider. Still, let’s do that math. It’s an average of $17,244 annually for the insurance premium. That does not count any deductible, copays, or prescription costs.
14. Family Vacations
I didn’t grow up having family vacations, and as an adult, I understand why. Countless individuals admit that they have no idea how anyone is affording to go on family vacations, especially Disneyland and international trips.
15. Houses
Do you remember when $600,000 meant buying a mansion? Today, it’s the cost of an average home. Many people want to know who has the money to shell out 20% down, much less make the payment financing for that kind of money.
The New York Times reports: “Existing home prices soared 45 percent from December 2019 to June 2022, the start of the pandemic to the summer peak in pricing, the biggest jump ever recorded in such a short window of time.”
16. College Tuition
College tuition is an expense that many cannot afford. A parent in the forum explains: “We have a junior and sophomore in college. Both are in-state schools, but one is out of-state. Between the two, we drop about $85,000 per year for tuition, room & board.” The average cost for a student living at a public four-year in-state campus is $26,027 per year or $104,108 over four years.
17. Cars
Automobiles are increasingly costly, and people don’t know how you are paying for them. Payments on a new car can be upward of a mortgage payment. And the pandemic destroyed the used car business. People who lease cars always have a car payment. Every aspect of owning a vehicle will cost you.
18. Boats
Boats are expensive! According to many in the thread who looked into it — they couldn’t believe anyone could afford a boat on top of everything else. We aren’t talking about yachts here. After someone explained that they offer loans with much longer terms on boats, another replied: “They’ll float you a loan.”
15 Professions That People Admitted They Would Never Marry Into — Would You?
Are there any jobs that you don’t think you would marry into? While I agree with several on this list, I would add pig farmers. Not because of anything other than the smell. I have a weak stomach, and there is no way I could handle it. After someone asked an internet community which professions they would refuse to marry, these are their confessions.
20 Things Men Admit They Will Never Understand About Women
Recently, a man took to an online men’s forum and begged the question, “What is something you will never understand about women?” Here are their more honest confessions.
20 Things That Are Surprisingly Legal and Should Be Illegalized Immediately
Is there anything that you are completely shocked is not illegal? You’re not alone. An online forum recently discussed examples of things they could not believe was still legal in the U.S. I’ve collected their best responses and am adding multi-level marketing (MLM) scams to this list. For the life of me, I do not …
17 Stupidest Societal Myths That Are Still Spreading Like Wildfire
Are you here for the laughs? Well, we got them. Recently, someone asked about myths that are still spreading in society despite being dispelled. Nearly 30,000 people flocked to the comments to deliver this list. Do you know better?
20 Real Things Men Confess That They Want More Than Anything
Do you know what men want? Of course, we can’t speak for all men as if they are a monolith. However, after visiting an online men’s forum, I encountered an interesting discussion about what many of them long for. Here is what they had to say.
Elizabeth Ervin is the owner of Sober Healing. She is a freelance writer passionate about opioid recovery and has celebrated breaking free since 09-27-2013. She advocates for mental health awareness and encourages others to embrace healing, recovery, and Jesus.