There's always been a middle-class "struggle" . . . but times change, and even though money is still tight, there are things we have now that seemed like RICH PEOPLE THINGS a while ago.
Someone asked the internet, "What is a middle-class luxury from your childhood that is now considered a basic necessity (or is completely obsolete)?" And here are some responses:
1. "Having a computer in the house felt like rich kid stuff back then. Now, it's basically required to exist."
2. "I remember thinking I'd never live in a home with a dishwasher."
3. "Long-distance calling. My parents used to set a timer to avoid huge bills. Now, I can video call someone in Tokyo for free."
4. "Physical encyclopedias. Having a full set meant you were rich and smart."
5. "Dad works one job, five days a week, while Mom is home every day."
6. "A car with air conditioning. Now, it's inconceivable for a car not to have it."
7. Tech entertainment things like: Color TVs, VCRs, and Blu-ray players, and HBO. Not to mention the latest gaming consoles, like PlayStation and Xbox.
Also: "Having a TV in your bedroom. Now, every teenager has at least one 'personal' screen."
8. "Cordless phones at home." Or, "car phones."
9. "Water beds."
10. "High-speed internet. In the '90s and early 2000s, having a fast connection (like DSL or Cable) was an expensive perk for tech-savvy families."
11. "A microwave. They used to be really expensive and pretty big. Now, they are in nearly every kitchen."
12. "Flying. I remember in the '70s that flying was mostly for business people, and the wealthy."
13. "A fridge that makes its own ice AND dispenses filtered water."
(Buzzfeed)