The cost of living in the United States has skyrocketed over the past few decades, putting a strain on the wallets of many Americans. Middle-class Americans, in particular, have been hard hit by stagnant wages, rising everyday expenses, as well as soaring health care and education costs. Many services that used to be a part of middle-class life are no longer affordable for our population, and many things that used to make our life easier and more enjoyable are now out of our reach.
For example, middle-class Americans would occasionally hire babysitters or housekeepers. In that way, they could enjoy their family time without being overwhelmed by household chores. But over the years, these services became way too expensive for this group, and that can be mainly attributed to stagnant wages. According to data from Care.com, the average cost of hiring a full-time nanny in the United States in 2022 was $16.50 per hour, and the average cost of hiring a full-time housekeeper was $18.50 per hour. At the same time, the median hourly wage of a middle-income worker is $23. In some states, that sum can go up $28.42, but still, with rising costs for housing, energy, food, gas, and pretty much everything we consume on a daily basis, they don’t have much money left after paying their bills every month so that they can spend on the little things that make their lives a little bit easier.
Do you remember when our parents and grandparents would give us a few dollars to do the lawn? Those times don’t come back. In the 2000s, middle-class families would spend about $20 on gardening and lawn care services. In 2023, however, homeowners are paying around $150 per visit. This cost typically includes mowing, edging, and trimming, as well as debris removal and basic fertilization and weed control. Additional services, such as aeration, seeding, and pest control, cost some extra. Almost a century ago, having a garden was something that saved our ancestors during the Great Depression, but that has become a luxury for the vast majority of us, not only because of the price to maintain it but also because of our lack of time to take care of it.
Eating healthy and consuming organic foods can be extremely beneficial for our bodies given that these products contain higher levels of nutrients and antioxidants, which can help boost the immune system and reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease. However, organic produce tends to be more expensive than conventionally grown produce, with some studies suggesting that organic produce can cost up to 50% more. Simultaneously, over 47% of middle-class Americans say they are struggling to keep up with rising prices of conventional foods, according to Pew Research Center data. So purchasing pesticide and chemicals-free foods is getting harder and harder for our average workers.
Life for middle-class Americans is turning increasingly gray as we lose access to the things that enable us to live fully and comfortably. Our burdens are getting bigger and our quality of life is getting lower. That’s what a broken society looks like. We are the ones who make this country run, and we surely deserve to be treated better. In today’s video, we compiled products and services that have gotten way too expensive over time.
47 Comments
Forget the middle class. Think of the no class.
Finances in this country have become almost unreal, see people sleeping in their cars in parking lots, public parks etc. they can’t afford housing. Not long after I got out of high school in the late eighties a friend of mine making near minimum wage was able to afford an efficiency one bedroom apt. Now days totally impossible. Cost of living is through the roof and continues to get worse. The middle class has been sliding back wards since the 70’s at least, it’s getting to the breaking point, we are slowly becoming a third world country, another few decades of this and we will be there.
Do you post anything positive? It seems like a lot of doom and gloom.
Still superficial huh? Oh well I hope being Rich makes you happy.
Is that the crap you all have been spending money on? No wonder why you’re broke.
You missed car ownership.
Inflation on needs deflation on things we don’t need…
If anyone feels sorry for America in any kinda way you a fool a Damm fool.
Hi
Crime is going up. Soon we kill to survive. Brush up on close combat firearms training, urban combat training, get your spouse and everyone in your house trained and proficient in firearms usage. Learn to trap your property and learn to cope with the fact you had to kill to survive and protect whats yours for your family.
Most rich people stay rich by spending like the poor and investing without stopping then most poor people stay poor by spending like the rich yet not investing like the rich but impressing them
This video is really about work life balance. We shouldn't have to work 60 hours a week to pay basic bills.
Taxes are theft.
Government causes middle class to shrink, it now cost $60000 to renvate a kitchen & bathroom. Plus you need engineering note that it possible to take a wall down in your home
Home cost more to build because of taxes & regulations = it less affordable to own a home for more of the population. Plus middle class arent renters the home owners " business owners & shareholders
Net worth wealth not your wage
I'm glad I got into trading when I did because it was a turning point for me financially it was my best decision so far courtsey to Mrs Nicole Brusher her set skills are amazing
The middle class think they are higher class. I live in a middle class neighborhood. Most people have new cars. Their kids attend private schools. Nearly every other neighbor has a maid service, dog walker, pool guy, gardener. I drive my kids to public school in my 17 year old car. My kids and I clean the house on weekends. My husband learned how to maintain the gardening. The problem is that middle class aren’t actually living as middle class. They want things that higher class people used to have. They have middle class salaries and spend like high income earners
Speaking on private schools my kids go there and I pay 18k a year for them to go but I know over half the kids that go there their family’s are on welfare and the parent that makes less just turns in their w2 and tax returns so that they get to go to the school for only 1200 dollars because some private schools b get grants and will use that to pay for kids to go there who can’t afford it im not sounds snotty but it’s privet school if you can’t afford it you should not get a free pass and make me pay more to cover some one else kid I can barley afford it my self I drive old cars and live in a old run down home to try to give better to my kids while some of the parents got 3 kids going there and a full stocked house of food so it’s like how are they living better then me because they get so much free from the working class of Americans just saying
Also I know of two guys who have small companies and they have not paid federal taxes on them self or their companies from 2005 till now one guy and the other 2008 and they get letters saying the federal government will settle for x amount right now they rip it up and toss it in the trash so the government has not come for them yet so don’t seems like they will come for them they are 50 years old and the other is 60 years old also the 50
Year old has been locked out of dmv for not paying county taxs he just drives with dead tags and has gotten pulled over a few times and pay a ticket for dead tags and that’s all that happens so it’s bull $hit because if I don’t pay one year they will take what little I got but not take from them
Oh and for getting married justice of the peace only cost like 25 bucks to get married I thing weddings are over rated just a waste of money if you love some one and want to be with them you don’t have to blow a bunch of money to show it off be much smarter to take that money and it a car or down payment on a house or Ava wit to cover a child
I lived in Aspen! I rented! I made and saved so very much!
If you're paying more than planet fitness charges, consider that you're am idiot
2 months ago Gallon of water was .99 cents, now $1.75 cent
400 people in my town 250 people at feed more food bank line real raw data ,real truth
New York rent is $3000 to $6000 ,now trending home share
Major Chicken producer shutdown laid off hundreds, canceled contracts with farmers in 2 counties in Southside,va YOU THINK AM KIDDING LOOK IT UP!!+
The end !
Don't settle for middle class, buy Bitcoin and elevate yourself
Prices have gone up so much it's getting very difficult… Bitcoin has gone up 80% since just the beginning of this year. Better get some Bitcoin before it doubles in price.
Ain't got no cash, ain't got no style Ain't got no gal to make you smile But don't worry, be happy
Cause when you worry your face will frown And that will bring everybody down So don't worry, be happy Don't worry, be happy now
I gave up cable, land line phone, eating out, going to the movies every week. I cook basic simple meals with what is on sale. I have a 16 year old car and I have to decide when I go shopping if I need it or want it. If I need it, it have to decide if I need it now. I have a garden and I get most of my fresh produce from my garden.
11:25 – 11:30 – Don't break the law, dont get married 🤷♂️.
What happened to the middle class that used to clean their own house, have a vegetable garden out back, sew some of their kids clothes, do their own yardwork, cut their kids hair? America has gotten lazy and forgotten how to do things for themselves.
americastan is great everything is so cheap…i mean whats wrong with a $55 pizza slice
Cheaper to go to magistrates or a home wedding- waste of $$$$. Take a honeymoon instead
100% the government wants the middle class GONE. We are self-sufficient and difficult, and educated enough to be a thorn in the side.
US prices are crazy cheap compared to Australia. Sydney housing affordability is only 2nd to Hong Kong in the world.
Organic does NOT contain more nutrients. The plants are not magically better. The organic label only means they are either not GMO or they only use natural pesticides. That's it.
they voted for what there getting
What are they trying to do to us in Florida? My escrow is now more than my p&I. It is set to rise again, big time. 🤦🏻♀️
You must run away from The people of caucasia. Everywhere they go it become unlivable
it's a yo-yo effect..the best cure for high cost of living is…high cost of living….
when everything gets expensive, people learn to adapt without those things and thust he demand lessens and brings the prices down….COVID cause the government to pump a lot of money into the economy and many were being paid to sit on their ass and just consume with free money….no wonder prices have shot up!
There will be a recession for sure, with layoffs, and lots of suffering as people struggle to make ends meet but then things will pick up again. It's the way it has always been.
If you work 60 hrs and still can’t meet expenses or have extra money to enjoy your officially are a pheasant slave
I CAN'T AFFORD MY PORN HUB SUBSCRIPTION😢😢…
These are all because of people's over spending and unrealistic lifestyle expectations. Homes that are too large on too big of a lot which require "help" as it's too much to handle by oneself, especially when working too much to pay for it all. Look at the original middle class lifestyle… a single base model vehicle, a 1400 sq. ft home, instate college for the kids while they lived at home and worked (gasp) to help pay their way. Funny how wedding "venues" are $10K when folks used to get hitched at home or at their church with a reception in the church basement. Now everything is a show for posting online. It's easy to keep hobbies affordable and without constantly spending you can even afford to have the free time to enjoy them. Investing is more accessible and affordable than ever and with the powerful tax incentives available you're foolish indeed if you don't participate. I just filed our income taxes and I'm still laughing. Then there's food…I'm still finding grocery deals that are super affordable and cooking at home from scratch is the best food at the lowest price. I see all of the comments how people "can't afford to live" or "make ends meet" but I'm finding that things are getting easier rather than harder. We've worked hard to build our frugal lifestyle and it pays off on a daily basis.
All by design. By corrupt politicians.