Times have changed through the decades, including the worth of things. Some things in the ‘80s and ‘90s can be considered luxury today due to changes in price, perception, and the introduction of other experiences.
These things differing in quality 30 to 40 years later include products, services, household appliances, sports fandom, education, career, entertainment, and much more. Here are 13 luxuries today that were not a big deal in the ‘80s and ‘90s.
Sports tickets
Families could easily afford game-day tickets to enjoy quality time; however, sports ticket prices have skyrocketed, with NFL ticket prices increasing by 8.6% just last year, per FanCostIndex. The cost of snacks, food, and parking spaces has also surged in the last 3-4 decades, so watching such events live has become a luxury.
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Free driver’s education for high schoolers
Back in the day, high schoolers could get free driving classes until the late ‘90s due to budget downsizing in public schools. Parents and learners have to bear the cost of this essential skill at private driving schools.
Household appliances
Household appliances back then were durable and would last for age. They were cost-effective, functional, and did not need constant replacement, unlike today’s toasters, blenders, cookware, ovens, vacuums, and fridges. Materials back then were top quality, and to get such today would cost more than the average person is willing to spend.
A college education
Most people could afford to attend college when four-year tuition with room and board was about $10,000, unlike in 2020 when it was nearly triple the price and up 180% for the same full-time education ($29,000).
Household furniture
Household furniture makers built dressers, dining tables, and other wooden essentials that got handed down to the next generations, but now, in order to maximize profits and cut costs, this sector’s industry practices have declined, leaving us with subpar but good-looking furniture.
Company-funded retirement
Pension plans came with job contracts for employees in the ‘80s with little to no negotiations required. Nowadays, it is rare to find jobs that come with these benefits, and they are mostly offered to those working in unionized public and private sectors. Profit-sharing plans or 401ks are more common now, with employees contributing to their pensions.
One-time purchase of software and services
Now, most software products and services operate on the subscription model with the rise of streaming services over CDs and DVDs, and even products— like printer ink- require month-on-month supply renewal. Back then, you could pay for software like Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft Office once and it was all yours, always.
Going to the movies
The average movie ticket price today is $10.53. Meanwhile you could take that same amount to enjoy cinema as a family of 3 to 4 in the ‘80s and late ‘90s. Single-income households could afford this experience, unlike now when the prices have jacked up by more than 50%.
Flight tickets with benefits
In the ‘80s, people who flew domestically and internationally enjoyed meals and unlimited checked bags with the option of ample legroom or window seats at no extra cost. Now, you have to pre-order meals and pay separately to enjoy these features.
Durable wears
High-quality clothing has been replaced with fast fashion items like SHEIN, Forever 21, Uniqlo, Urban Outfitters, and the like at the forefront. Ironically, these brands started to thrive in the early ‘80s when manufacturing was outsourced to China.
Affordable healthcare
Medical supplies, drugs, and healthcare are now more expensive, and high-price insurance rates do not cushion much anymore. Americans now spend six times as much on healthcare as they did in the ‘80s.
Horses
Horses have become a luxury symbol peculiar to the upper class; however, in the ‘80s and ‘90s, many farms in rural America had horses for leisure purposes. You can easily find horses as a means of transportation among the Amish and Mennonites today, as their beliefs prohibit using modern vehicles like cars and tractors.
Vacations at national parks
Families used to be able to take road trips to national parks like Yellowstone, Badlands, Yosemite, and more in the ‘80s and ‘90s for week-long stays. These vacations have now become a luxury, requiring money for gas, RV or car rental, entry tickets, tour guides, and activities like whale watching and fishing. Due to the prices incurred, most families prefer to spend the weekend or a day at these iconic locations.