People Are Sharing Things That Were Normal In The ’90s And ’00s But Are Considered A Luxury Now

Ah, the ’90s and the ’00s—a time of dial-up internet, chunky cellphones, and the undeniable charm of simpler times. As we journey further into the 21st century, it’s remarkable how rapidly our perception of “normal” has shifted.

Everyday things we took for granted back then now seem like relics of a bygone era, replaced by sleeker, more advanced alternatives. In this age of constant technological advancement, it’s not uncommon to find ourselves reminiscing about the luxuries we once enjoyed without a second thought.

In this recent r/AskReddit post, a user asked people to share things that were normal in the ’90s and ’00s, but are considered a luxury today. Here are some of the best answers.

1.

“New furniture made out of real wood.” – u/Juls7243

2. 

“Owning the software you purchased.” – u/FinnofLocke

3.

“Paying no more than 30% of your income in rent.” – u/newsaggregateftw

4.

“Not being expected to be reachable 24/7.” – u/Siukslinis_acc

5.

“Concert ticket prices.” – u/Quality_Street_1

6.

“Single-income families buying a home.” – u/THESSIS

7.

“Good-quality fabric in clothing. I have clothes from the ’90s (and ’80s from my mother) that still hold up today. These days, I’m lucky if my shirt isn’t saggy and misshapen within a year.” – u/TheMadLaboratorian

8.

“Being able to afford going out every Friday after work.” – u/M-the-music-guy

9.

“Items not requiring a subscription each month.” – u/few29er

10.

“Household products that don’t break within the first few years of use. My grandma had the same fridge from 1993 before deciding to switch to a newer, bigger one two years ago. My mom’s wedding cookware is still going strong 25 years later, but whenever she needs new pans, they start flaking Teflon into the food within a few months.” – u/parangolecomuna

11.

“Legroom on an airplane.” – u/anachronistika

12. 

“Family vacations. I remember going on road trips regularly as a kid and even flying once or twice. Now that I have kids, I cannot afford a weeklong trip to the Badlands, Grand Canyon, Disney/Universal Studios, etc. The best I can do is a day trip to the Wisconsin Dells maybe once a year.” – u/M5606

13.

“Free driver’s education classes taught in all high schools.” – u/Working-Finger3500

14.

“Apartments. I could get a one-bedroom apartment in Wisconsin back in 1997 for under $500. Now that same apartment is at least $2,000.” – u/Icy-Supermarket-6932

15. 

“Meals on domestic flights.” – u/Acceptable_Stop2361

16.

“Affordable healthcare.” – u/RNGezzus

17.

“People making friends with one another purely because they enjoy their companionship and not because of networking.”

u/butthenhor

18.

“Drinking water from the tap without filters and softeners.” – u/Kuzkuladaemon

19.

“Clothing and shoes that last more than a year with regular wear.” – u/SpacePirateFromEarth

20.

“Being able to dance and have a good time without having the risk that it will end up being recorded and put on social media.” – u/allbright1111
Mike

Mike Primavera

Mike Primavera is a Chicago-based comedy writer even though he doesn't HAVE to work. He lives comfortably off of his family's pasta fortune. Follow him on all social media at @primawesome