middle class Archives — Beating Broke

What is privilege? — Image Source: Pexels

When you think of privilege, you probably think of someone who has been fed with a silver spoon. We use it to describe everything from race and gender to wealth and education. If you have invisible advantages, you’re privileged. But does privilege really exist anymore, or are we all just trying to get by? Has privilege disappeared among economic instability, political polarization, and cultural fragmentation? The answer is yes, but not in the way we are accustomed to.

Is Privilege a Thing of The Past?

In 2025, as inflation eats away at middle-class stability, job markets are reshaped by AI, and even the wealthy grapple with climate anxiety and social unrest, some ask: Does anyone actually have privilege? The uncomfortable answer is that privilege hasn’t disappeared. It’s just become more layered, more hidden, and more complex than the culture wars allow us to admit.

Thinking about privilege is often ignored today. Many of us don’t have this conversation because of fatigue. We’re so tired of hearing about privilege when we are struggling. But it’s important to get to the truth and not look at privilege as a dirty word for someone who has never struggled in life.

In fact, the very idea of privilege has been politicized, weaponized, and oversimplified. People hear the word and shut down because they associate it with blame or guilt. But privilege isn’t always something you choose — it’s often just something you were born into. And acknowledging it doesn’t mean you haven’t worked hard.

The New Privileged Class

So who is the privileged class? Maybe it’s just people who haven’t endured as much hardship. It’s not to say that they have avoided the chaos of life altogether, but have struggled less than some. Privilege today can look like having access to private insurance and good health. It can be a college degree with no student debt. It may even be citizenship in a country that has a strong democracy and no war. Maybe for others, it looks like having a stable job where you can afford childcare.

It could even mean something as simple as generational wealth, like having parents who could help with a down payment on a home, or who didn’t pass down debt. In today’s world, even time and mental space are privileges. The ability to plan ahead, rest, or pursue personal growth is not universal.

Respecting Each Other’s Experiences

We shouldn’t write off each other’s experiences and situations. Just because someone is privileged in one area of their life doesn’t mean that their experiences aren’t valid. No one today is privileged in the same way we once thought about it. Maybe only the ultra-wealthy are truly privileged. In reality, the middle class has all but disappeared in the US, and we all struggle to some extent. Ignoring privilege doesn’t eliminate inequality. But reframing the conversation may help. When we truly walk in each other’s shoes, we can find common ground and understanding.

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Teri Monroe

Teri Monroe started her career in communications working for local government and nonprofits. Today, she is a freelance finance and lifestyle writer and small business owner. In her spare time, she loves golfing with her husband, taking her dog Milo on long walks, and playing pickleball with friends.

The economic landscape for the middle class in many countries has undergone significant shifts due to factors like inflation, stagnating wages, and changing societal norms. This has resulted in a reevaluation of what is considered affordable for the average middle-class family. Here, we explore ten items and experiences that have become increasingly out of reach.

1. Single-Family Homes in City Centers

Owning a home in the heart of the city has become a distant dream for many middle-class families. Urban real estate prices have skyrocketed, driven by high demand and limited supply. The dream of a backyard and a white picket fence now often requires a move to the suburbs or accepting a smaller living space, such as a condominium or an apartment, as urban single-family homes drift out of financial reach.

2. College Education Without Debt

Higher education costs have risen dramatically, far outpacing the inflation rate and middle-class wage growth. As a result, attending college without incurring significant debt is becoming increasingly unrealistic. This financial burden often forces students and their families to rely on loans, which can have long-lasting impacts on financial stability and wealth accumulation.

3. Comprehensive Health Insurance

Healthcare costs have become one of the biggest financial concerns for middle-class families. Comprehensive health insurance plans that cover a wide range of medical needs without high out-of-pocket costs are becoming rarer and more expensive, pushing more people to opt for high-deductible plans that only provide basic coverage.

4. Retirement Savings

Saving for retirement is a growing challenge as many middle-class individuals live paycheck to paycheck. Factors such as higher living costs, the need to support aging parents or adult children, and the lack of employer-sponsored pension plans contribute to the difficulty in setting aside adequate funds for the golden years.

5. Leisure Travel

Leisure travel is becoming a luxury that not all middle-class families can afford. The costs associated with vacations, including flights, accommodations, and activities, have increased, making it harder to budget for travel. This shift has led many to seek alternatives like staycations or short, local trips instead of more extended or exotic vacations.

6. New Vehicles

The average price of new vehicles has increased substantially, making it difficult for middle-class buyers to purchase them without taking on burdensome financing arrangements. Many families now opt to keep their older vehicles longer or are turning to the used market, where prices have also been rising but remain more manageable compared to new cars.

7. Private School Education

Once a staple for the aspiring middle class, private education has become prohibitively expensive. With tuition fees climbing each year, many families are forced to rely on public schooling, which varies widely in quality depending on geographic location, further exacerbating educational inequalities. The escalating costs have made private schools an option only for the upper echelons, pushing many families to seek alternative educational opportunities or supplemental programs to enhance public education offerings.

8. Investment Properties

Buying a second home as an investment or for rental income is increasingly unrealistic for the middle class. High property prices, tighter credit conditions, and the substantial initial investment required make this wealth-building strategy less accessible than in previous decades. Additionally, the ongoing property management and maintenance expenses can deter middle-class families from investing in real estate as a secondary income source.

9. Long-Term Care Insurance

As life expectancy increases, so does the potential need for long-term care, which can be incredibly costly. Long-term care insurance, which can help cover these costs, has become increasingly expensive and out of reach for many in the middle class, leaving them vulnerable to future financial strain.

10. Disposable Income for Luxuries

With the rising cost of living, disposable income has shrunk, limiting non-essential purchases such as high-end electronics, jewelry, and dining out. Middle-class families focus more on saving and budgeting for necessities, reducing spending on items once considered routine indulgences.

The Middle Class Can’t Afford What It Used To

The shifting economic conditions that make these ten items less affordable reflect broader challenges facing the middle class. As the cost of living continues to rise without a corresponding wage increase, the middle class has to adjust expectations and reconsider what it means to live a “middle-class lifestyle.” Addressing these challenges will require not just personal financial management but also broad-based policy solutions to restore affordability and economic security.

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Catherine Reed

Catherine is a tech-savvy writer who has focused on the personal finance space for more than eight years. She has a Bachelor’s in Information Technology and enjoys showcasing how tech can simplify everyday personal finance tasks like budgeting, spending tracking, and planning for the future. Additionally, she’s explored the ins and outs of the world of side hustles and loves to share what she’s learned along the way. When she’s not working, you can find her relaxing at home in the Pacific Northwest with her two cats or enjoying a cup of coffee at her neighborhood cafe.

Does Anyone Have Privilege Any More? The Answer No One Is Ready To Hear