AIBU to feel middle-class luxuries have become increasingly out of reach?

I feel like this too.

I’ve always had plenty of money but never had facials and stick to my shopping list. It’s a habit worth having. Treats from decades ago have now become every day spends. I think people are having to scale back but from a very high level of expectation.

I think it's partly because there are so many sales, cashback and general offers and discounts these days.

So the official prices are higher, some people pay that, and the company gets the money to offset all the people who find ways of getting it cheaper.

Exactly - why go into town when a single scoop ice cream for the kids is £7 each!
I am scared to take the kids in in case they see things and then want them, which feels terrible!

And yet every cafe is full, shops have been busy over the summer, enormous online queues for sport or concert tickets, huge music festivals, brand new cars everywhere, airports are so busy they are desperate to expand etc etc

The country is broke, wages compared to other countries are pitiful and the Government confiscates a shit ton in taxation. There is definitely a cost of Government problem in the UK. We are generally quite poor by international standards. Countries like Poland and Ireland are racing ahead of us.

In general I think you are right but most skincare in a rip off. If it worked it’d be on prescription. But

I don't go into town if I can help it. I find it makes me sad to see things I would like to try or read and realise it is a quarter of the weekly food shop (mainly books). Clothes are far more expensive with cheaper material and bad cuts than they were 20 years ago.

I dread to think what it will be like in Winter with the fuel and energy price rises.

But 40 years ago my middle class mum wouldn’t have been going into town to buy pricey tops, books and expensive skincare with coffee out- just because. We all used the library, she bought M&S clothes when she actually needed them and we bought doughnuts to take home. Skincare was oil of Ulay. People now think they should just be able to fritter money as if it’s an entitlement.

I buy clothes from Seasalt and places like that but would never pay full price, because it's the sort of shop that styles don't change year on year, probably for non fashionable people like me who just like reasonable quality, I get quite nice things in the sale or their eBay outlet store.

I feel that even basics are out of reach. Just the food shop drains my account and I spend all week worrying that it won't last. I earn more now than I ever did before, but have never felt so financially fragile. I used to be able to pop things in my trolley on a whim, but now I have to stick to the list.

I agree. Five years ago, would go out for dinner semi-regularly. Dropped down to weekend brunch, then coffee and a pastry once in a while for the kids.

I was in a cafe (a fancy one admittedly) yesterday and got a takeaway coffee and a pain au chocolat to share with my kids. It came to nearly £10.

I just can't be bothered with it any more.

I think many who think they are middle class, or have ever been, are misguided about what it means to be middle class.

An £80 top is not middle class.

If you recall, Kate Middleton (as she was known then) came from a 'middle class' family. They lived in a large, detached home in a prestigious area and send her to an elite university.

Her tops weren't £80. Although she was labelled as 'middle class' most of us would view her family to be extremely wealthy.

I think most of Britain is, at best, lower class and there are some upper lower class. Most people are living in poverty or just the basic standard of other countries like Australia/USA etc.

You will find this to be true if you travel and see the very shocking differences in the standards of livings between Britain and other 'wealthy' countries.

Britain is not a wealthy country nor does it have a wealthy population. Once we understand that, then we probably won't feel so bad when we can't afford that 'middle class' top for £80 and just accept our Primark polyester equivalent at £20.

On the other hand, accept that inflation for substandard tops at £80 is what the going rate is now for cheap clothing.

It's not a class thing. It's inflation with stagnant wages where the poor are becoming poorer.

People obviously are able to afford this stuff though as the shops are still going.

It had never ever occurred to me to pay £100 odd on a bloody dress, but I do know a lot of people that do

Inflation is shocking though & frozen tax bands.

28k in the mid 00s is the equivalent to 51k now and you would be pulled into the 40% tax bracket

I have less disposable income now despite earning more money & buy cheap, own brands etc.

I do save money every month but it’s a conscious effort now whereas it was easy before. And even I didn’t save there isn’t enough money to spend on eating out, new clothes, beauty treatments etc.

I am pretty humph that I can now afford considerably less fun than when I was on nmw 20 years ago.... Yes, my bills have gone up but % to wage not THAT much

Totally agree.
Thought I'd get to the age I am and not think oh that's a tenner I'll leave that.
I'm not bad off and can afford what it is that I need and generally want but it's rediculous.