Have you ever noticed how some things in life seem to be playing a wicked game of double trouble?
We’re talking about that strange phenomenon where stuff manages to go downhill and skyrocket in price at the same time.
Yeah, you know what we are talking about- the mind-boggling situation where you’re left scratching your head, wondering if the universe is messing with us.
Someone asked, “What has simultaneously got worse and more expensive?” Many users commented on this thread, and we have selected the top 20 things for you!
1. Cable
Remember that awesome cooking channel you loved? Gone. That quirky DIY network? Gone. And what do we get instead? Infomercials and reality TV shows that make you question the meaning of life.
A discerning Reddit user commented, “Cable television. More commercials, channels upon channels of nonsense, the ridiculous monthly bill.”
Someone else added, “Wow… Google says the average cable bill is currently $217.42/month. That is disgusting.”
2. Insurance
A Reddit user wrote, “I came here to say this. And as a licensed insurance writer, there are certain states I refuse to do business in because of how crazy the situation is right now.”
Another person agreed to it and said, “The last job I had didn’t offer insurance (even though I was working 60+ hours a week) and the cheapest plan I could find in my area was 0 a month with an $8,000 deductible.
And the one time I actually tried to use it, I got a letter from the doctor saying, “Sorry, your insurance refused to cover these blood tests and a letter from my insurance provider saying they “needed more information” before they would cover anything despite having been covered for 6 months without them telling me that (they also didn’t specify what the information they needed was), a bill from the doctor for over $500, …and a bill from my insurance provider, for “services provided.””
And let’s talk about the coverage, shall we? Back in the day, you thought you were covered for a bunch of stuff. But now? Surprise, surprise- that “stuff” has magically disappeared from the fine print.
3. McDonald’s
Remember back in the day when you could score a juicy burger, crispy fries, and a drink for just a few bucks?
One Redditor stated, “McD’s used to be my lazy go-to breakfast. Used to be cheap and awesome. Now breakfast for me and my wife is like $20. Used to get 2 hashbrowns for $1, now they flipped it, and they’re $2 each. No hashbrown that size and quality is worth 2 darn dollars.”
Another person pitched in to say, “I drink very seldom, but had a wicked “your 40” hangover” and went for my old Sausage McMuffins, hash browns, and milk. I thought I was still drunk when I saw the price.”
4. Taco Bell
Someone commented, “Last time I went to Taco Bell a quesadilla combo was almost $15. Insane”
Someone else agreed and said, “Seriously. I love Taco Bell but holy Christ it’s like 2+ for a soft taco and they charge like 3 or 4 dollars for a Mountain Dew. I’m 33. When I was in high school, we used to fish quarters out from under the seat for a couple of stoner burritos. Now it’s the most expensive chain in town.”
Another person shared similar thoughts and mentioned, “Taco Bell especially. I remember if you spent 10 bucks, you would eat like a king and have some left over. And now not so much, and the taste is horrible, or they pack it with refried beans, and you get 1/2 of meat.”
Well, now it’s like you need to take out a small loan just to get a basic combo meal. And hold up, don’t even get us started on the bad quality!
5. Burger King
A Reddit user wrote, “Burger King is so terrible. The last time I had it, I was stoked remembering how good it was (it had been years), and I took a bite and was sooo disappointed. They spent all their money on that stupid king head in the commercial.”
Someone else added, “The last time I decided to go to Burger King (a decade ago), I pulled into the restaurant at prime dinner hours, and no one was there. 2 cars in the parking lot for the employees, but the drive-thru and the inside were empty. I didn’t risk it since it seemed everyone else wasn’t either.”
How did we end up in a world where we pay premium prices for what seems like reheated cardboard? Talk about a bad deal!
6. Chipotle
A discerning Reddit user commented, “Chipotle. No longer fast or cheap.”
Someone else agreed and said, “Dude. I’m so tired of picking up Chipotle and the product, looking like someone rolled it down a hill in a bucket, dragged it behind a dirt bike back to the kitchen, and wrapped it in foil. What did you do to my food?”
Let’s talk flavor. Remember when each bite was a fiesta of tastes and textures? Lately, it’s like the ingredients are having a flavor rebellion. Your carnitas taste like cardboard; the salsa’s a snoozefest and the beans? Well, let’s just say they’re more bland than your Uncle Bob’s dad jokes.
7. Subway
One Redditor stated, “Subway. So expensive, and you get stale veggies along with the lowest quality meats and bread.”
Another person agreed to it and said, “100% this. I never go to Subway, but I happened to go to one for the first time in about 10 years. I paid almost $14 for a garbage 6″ sandwich, chips, and a drink. I ate it, but I was furious while doing so.”
And now you’re paying an arm and a leg for a sub that barely qualifies as a snack!
8. Netflix
Someone commented, “NETFLIX. At some point, the incremental cost increases, and seeing shows disappearing from my watchlist made it a bad deal. The no password sharing was the nail in the coffin for me.”
Another person pitched in to say, “Netflix is now at least 2-3x the cost with 1/3 or 1/4th as much content, as most of it has migrated over to other streaming services.”
So, while Netflix might be giving us a run for our money, we’re not short on choices. We can jump ship, hop on another streaming train, and maybe even find content that actually tickles our fancy.
9. Groceries
A Reddit user wrote, “This. I just restocked personal care stuff (hair care, body wash, toilet paper, hand soap – I buy a big jug and refill, vitamins, menstruation supplies) for my 2 teen daughters and myself, and restocked our cleaning products (which is pretty basic – dish soap, laundry soap, disinfecting wipes, a big jug of concentrated cleaner which I dilute).
I got like half of my younger kid’s school supplies list and groceries for maybe a week and a half (meat only on 4 of those days). $570. $570 dollars yo. From WALMART. Buying the Great Value brand as much as possible. And I didn’t even get everything we needed, and almost nothing we just “want”. The big “want” spends were $3 on peanut butter cookie mix and $9 on 2 half gallons of ice cream. The heck is going on here?”
Someone else added, “Me restocking our pantry and groceries for my husband and myself alone is insane. I am back to using generic makeup and bath products because I’m scared of the cost of the products I actually like, and it has affected my skin and hair. The cost of toilet paper, vitamins, and hand soap is insane. I have friends who make about 3x my salary, and they’re struggling too. Just seems ridiculous.”
And can we talk about the disappearing deals? Back in the day, you could find BOGOs, sales, and coupons that made you feel like you hit the grocery store jackpot, right?
10. Candy Bars
One Redditor stated, “American candy bars. They’re downright tiny now and cost 2-3 times as much as they did 10+ years ago. Also, you can tell the manufacturers are using inferior ingredients — the chocolate is dry and chalky.”
Another person shared similar thoughts and mentioned, “I hate to be the European ragging on Americans but…you guys have some exceptional treats like chips etc., but your chocolate sickens me to my stomach. It actually tastes like vomit.”
Suddenly, there are artisanal candy bars with ingredients you can’t pronounce, and they charge you a premium for that culinary confusion.
11. Appliances
Remember when you could buy a toaster for the price of a fancy coffee? Well, wave goodbye to those good old days because suddenly, appliances are pricier than ever!
Someone commented, “Appliances. Washers, dryers, refrigerators. But hey, if it doesn’t break, how can they sell you a new one? I had 30-year-old hand-me-downs when I started out. Gave them away, and to my knowledge, they are still being used. New stuff is 30 times more expensive and fails in 5 years.”
Another person agreed to it and said, “Yep. My parents use my grandparent’s washer and dryer from the late 80s/early 90s—it still works perfectly, with very little to no maintenance. My wife and I bought our W&D 5 years ago, and they’re both going out despite regular maintenance.”
12. Trucks
A Reddit user wrote, “The reason a lot of trucks are getting bigger is that the level of emissions allowed with environmental laws is scaled by vehicle size, so it’s often cheaper to bump the vehicle up to the next size category than it is to cut back emissions.”
Another person pitched in to say, “Very true of new vehicles. The amount of stuff they have to engineer into each one makes them incredibly expensive. And it’s much easier to bake that into a giant luxury SUV or pickup truck and bury it in the price than it is to do on a very basic transportation/commuter vehicle.”
You used to be able to tinker under the hood without a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering. Now? It’s like trucks have their own language that only mechanics understand. And when something breaks, you’re not just paying for parts but a technician’s college tuition.
13. Hot Pockets
The Hot Pocket hustle- where prices have shot up, flavors have taken a nosedive, and we’re left questioning if our microwave skills need an upgrade.
A discerning Reddit user commented, “Hot pockets. They used to be pretty good, even cooked in a microwave. Now they’re made with worse quality bread, barely have half as much meat, don’t cook well, and cost about 50% more. All this in just 5ish years.”
Someone else added, “I’m so glad you said this. I bought hot pockets a few weeks back, accidentally overcooked one and it completely split in half. I couldn’t believe how little stuffing was in it!!!”
14. Gyms
One Redditor stated, “I don’t particularly care for the ‘fancy gyms’ with 3 floors and weird stuff to use that no one uses, and a smoothie cafe that charges 21 bucks for a scoop of protein and yogurt blended in a Vitamix…and while I don’t have anything against social media gym accounts (I follow a lot of them), having multiple people setting up to record their sets at all times gets a little old…give me that old school dungeon lol.”
Someone else agreed and said, “Seems near me they are only building those mega fancy gyms with tons of junk most people don’t even want, and then it costs $60 a month. Or the normal gyms are just too crowded.”
Did the dumbbells turn into gold bars overnight, or what? It’s like they’re not just toning your muscles but also giving your bank account a solid workout.
15. Water
A Reddit user wrote, “I gotta get on the water thing – I have a pitcher with a filter, and somehow the water is still terrible. Shower water smells vaguely like bleach, too.”
Another person agreed to it and said, “I have a reusable water bottle that I used to use every day, and now I have started buying bottled water, which I swore I wasn’t going to do ever again. No matter what I do, our tap water tastes weirdly chlorinated.
I live in the same neighborhood in my city, just about a mile away from our old apartment, never had this issue before. My husband refuses to drink from the tap now, and I worry about the water I’m giving my dog because she’s my baby and has to live forever. It is very strange.”
Oh, and don’t even think about using your washing machine or taking a shower without a degree in hydraulic engineering. The water bill arrives looking like a mortgage payment, and you’re left wondering if you accidentally opened a spa in your bathroom.
16. Healthcare
A discerning Reddit user commented, “Healthcare service and support has gotten worse while more expensive, but technology and treatments are always improving. The troubling thought is the suggested treatments for conditions like cancer would be even better if not for a long-term business case. Pure evil.”
Someone else added, “Yeah, it’s pretty tough to think about the fact that medical technology is vastly better even year on year, yet health outcomes are completely stagnant or even decreasing.”
Come on, healthcare officials, we want to feel better, not file for bankruptcy!
17. College Education
Someone commented, “College…ooooph. Out of curiosity, I checked the tuition for my program at my school last year. A mere 7 years after I graduated. 4x…it had increased 4 times in 7 years. My older sister went to school straight out of high school (I didn’t go to college until I was 30), and her entire education, both of us computer science, was the same as 1 semester at my rate. Now it’s 4x that…”
Another person shared similar thoughts and mentioned, “College edu has gotten worse. Students are arriving to colleges underprepared because K-12 is so bad in so many places, and administrators sometimes respond by pressuring faculty members to decrease the rigor of their courses.”
Student loans are one of those dark clouds hanging over our heads. Remember when we thought paying them off before retirement was a realistic goal? Now, we’re more likely to be in our 50s, still clutching those loan papers, trying to decipher the fine print.
18. Air Travel
Remember when flying was an adventure, a glamorous experience even? A Reddit user wrote, “Air Canada emailed me at 2 am to tell me my flight at 4 pm the next day was going to be delayed 5 hours. They kindly canceled my connecting flight for me and did not book a new one. I tried calling them to rebook it myself, and the recorded message told me to call back between 8 am and 5 pm.”
One Redditor stated, “Sorry, the overhead bins are full, so we’ll need to check your bag and lose it. Also, the flight is delayed and possibly canceled, but don’t ask me any questions. Can I interest you in a voucher that is only valid for the next twelve minutes?”
Another person pitched in to say, “Oh, and the checked AND overhead bags cost extra, So does an assigned seat (ANY) mess your connection 2” of legroom clearance to the next row, if that, and I’m 5’3”? We don’t staff the desk anymore LOL, the ticket machine refuses to print, and the app is wonky and refuses to prove you’re on this flight.”
19. Rent
Remember when you could actually afford to live in a place without having to resort to selling your spleen? Those days are like a distant dream now.
Someone commented, “Rent. The price keeps climbing, the wages are stagnated, and the houses keep getting worse.”
Someone else added, “I pay almost $900 a month for a roach and rat-infested duplex that is literally rotting and has the worst mold problem I’ve ever seen.”
20. Vegetables
A Reddit user wrote, “Vegetables. They used to be relatively inexpensive but would last 3 days or more. Now, if you buy them, they look like junk and have to be cooked/consumed almost immediately as they wilt or rot quickly.
The larger chains are taking a page out of some minority-owned groceries that buy less expensive last-leg veggies, with the understanding that they will be sold cheaply and eaten quickly. The difference? Larger chains aren’t passing those lower costs on and are increasing prices as well.”
Another person agreed to it and said, “Yes, slimy, moldy, soggy, tasteless veggies and fruit too now. Nobody I know disagrees with this. But the prices seem to grow and grow, for what? To fill a garbage bag that we have to pay for the city to come and pick it up?”
Frozen veggies used to be the budget savior, but even those are getting a bit high-and-mighty, right?
12 Examples Of Pure Evil In Society Today
In the intricate web of our world, there are instances that shake our understanding of humanity. These are moments when the actions of individuals and groups defy any notion of goodness or compassion.
12 Examples of Pure Evil in Society Today
12 Useless Items People Carry With Them Every Day
Carrying our daily essentials is a routine we all follow, but have you ever paused to think about the items that find a permanent place in your bag or pocket? It turns out that amidst the keys, wallets, and phones, there are some objects that seem to have overstayed their welcome. These seemingly harmless items have become part of our daily lives, often without us realizing their true utility.
12 Useless Items People Carry With Them Every Day
20 Celebrities With Genuinely Hard Childhoods
We often idolize celebrities, assuming that they’ve had it all easy from the start. But trust us; there’s more to the picture than meets the eye. Because behind the glimmering lights and glitzy parties, these stars have faced hardships that would cause your heart to ache.
20 Celebrities With Genuinely Hard Childhoods
20 Antiquated Social Customs We Need To Finally Leave Behind In The Dust
Can you believe how much our society has changed over the years? It’s surely mind-blowing! As we find ourselves in the 21st century, it’s high time we look closely at some old social customs that don’t fit in anymore.
20 Antiquated Social Customs We Need To Finally Leave Behind in the Dust
20 Beloved Actors That People Just Can’t Stand
Ah, the world of entertainment! From the silver screen to our living rooms, actors have been enchanting us with their talents for decades. But let’s be real- not every actor is everyone’s cup of tea. In fact, there are those actors who manage to rub us the wrong way, and no, sometimes it’s not just because of the characters they play!
20 Beloved Actors That People Just Can’t Stand
This article was produced and syndicated by A Dime Saved.
