You know you're lower middle class when these 7 things feel like luxuries

Have you ever caught yourself treating a simple takeout meal like a special occasion?

I remember the exact moment it hit me. I was sitting in my car, savoring a burrito bowl from a fast-casual restaurant, and realized I'd been looking forward to this "treat" for weeks. That's when I knew my financial reality had shifted in ways I hadn't fully acknowledged.

Growing up with a teacher mom and an engineer dad, I thought education was my golden ticket to financial security. And maybe it would have been, if not for the mountain of student loans that followed me around until I was 35.

Even after years working as a financial analyst, I found myself in that awkward space between struggling and comfortable, what many call lower middle class.

If you find yourself nodding along as you read these seven things that feel like luxuries, you're probably in the same boat. And you know what? There's no shame in recognizing where we are financially. In fact, acknowledging it is the first step to changing it.

1. Buying name brand groceries

When did Heinz ketchup become a luxury item?

Walking through the grocery store, I find myself automatically reaching for the store brand everything. Generic cereal, off-brand pasta sauce, whatever's cheapest. The few times I splurge on the "good" brands, it feels like I'm being reckless with money.

I've become an expert at convincing myself that there's no difference in taste. Sometimes that's true. But when you catch yourself celebrating because the name brand butter is on sale and you can finally buy it guilt-free, you know your budget is tight.

The mental math never stops. Every grocery trip involves calculating the price per ounce, comparing sales, and wondering if that extra dollar for the brand you actually prefer is worth it. Usually, the answer is no.

2. Getting your car professionally washed

Remember when a car wash was just something you did every couple of weeks?

Now, spending fifteen or twenty dollars to have someone else clean your car feels wildly indulgent. Instead, you wait for rain to rinse off the dirt, or maybe splash some water on it with the garden hose if things get really bad.

Those fancy car washes with the different packages and the air fresheners? Forget about it. That's birthday gift territory now. You've mastered the art of ignoring the layer of pollen on your windshield and pretending the coffee stains on your cup holders add character.

When you do finally break down and pay for a wash, you sit there watching your car go through the machines thinking about all the other things that money could have bought. A week of coffee. Half a tank of gas. Part of the electric bill.

3. Ordering appetizers at restaurants

Restaurants have become a minefield of financial decisions, haven't they?

Gone are the days of casually ordering appetizers, entrees, and maybe dessert. Now, eating out means water instead of drinks, skipping the starter, and definitely no dessert unless it's someone's birthday.

You've perfected the art of filling up on the free bread or chips. When the server asks if you'd like to start with something, you smile and say "No thanks, just the entrees." Meanwhile, you're eyeing that spinach artichoke dip at the next table like it's made of gold.

The few times you do order an appetizer, usually when splitting the bill with others who insist, you savor every single bite. Because who knows when you'll justify that expense again?

4. Buying clothes that aren't on clearance

Full price? In this economy?

Your wardrobe has become a testament to end-of-season sales and clearance racks. That shirt you're wearing? Seventy percent off. Those shoes? Last year's style, bought for a fraction of the original price.

You've memorized the sale cycles of your favorite stores. You know exactly when things go on clearance and you wait. Patiently. Even if you really need new work pants right now, you'll make the old ones last another month until the next sale.

When you do occasionally buy something at regular price, usually because you absolutely need it immediately, the guilt follows you home. You keep the tags on longer than necessary, debating whether you can return it and find something cheaper.

5. Streaming services without sharing passwords

How many streaming services are you currently borrowing from family and friends?

Having your own Netflix account, plus maybe HBO and Disney+, all under your own name and payment? That's living large. Most of us are cobbling together entertainment through a complex network of shared passwords and free trials.

You've got your ex-roommate's Netflix, your sister's Hulu, and you're still using your parents' cable login for everything else. When companies crack down on password sharing, it feels like a personal attack on your entertainment budget.

The idea of paying for multiple services yourself seems absurd. Sixty dollars a month for TV? That's grocery money. So you rotate through free trials, cancel and resubscribe strategically, and pray nobody changes their password without telling you.

6. Going to the dentist for anything beyond emergencies

Regular dental cleanings have become the ultimate luxury.

Even with insurance, those copays add up. And heaven forbid you need anything beyond basic cleaning. A crown? That's a payment plan. Cosmetic work? Keep dreaming.

You've become an expert at dental self-care, hoping that religious flossing and mouthwash will keep major problems at bay. That slight tooth sensitivity? You'll monitor it. That wisdom tooth that should probably come out? It's not bothering you that much.

When leaving my corporate job to become a writer, I quickly learned that dental insurance as a freelancer is a whole different game. Those twice-yearly cleanings became annual at best, and only if nothing else urgent came up financially.

7. Taking a vacation that requires a hotel

Remember when vacation meant actually going somewhere?

Now, a real vacation with flights and hotels feels like something only other people do. Your vacations consist of day trips, staying with friends, or maybe camping because it's cheaper than a hotel room.

You've become creative with your time off. Staycations are your specialty. You know all the free local attractions and have perfected the art of making your hometown feel like a destination. When coworkers talk about their trips to Mexico or Europe, you nod along while mentally calculating how many months of expenses that would cost.

Those rare times when you do stay in a hotel, usually for a wedding or family obligation, you pack snacks to avoid the overpriced mini-bar and search for the cheapest parking options. Continental breakfast isn't just convenient; it's factored into your food budget for the trip.

Final thoughts

Recognizing these luxuries in everyday life isn't about feeling sorry for ourselves. It's about being honest about where we are financially.

After years of managing million-dollar portfolios as a financial analyst, then struggling through two years of living off savings when I switched to writing, I've learned that financial stress exists at every level.

But there's something particularly exhausting about being lower middle class. You're not poor enough to qualify for most assistance programs, but not comfortable enough to stop the constant mental math.

Every small pleasure comes with a side of guilt. Every unexpected expense throws off your carefully balanced budget. You're always one car repair or medical bill away from real trouble.

But here's what I've learned: recognizing these patterns is powerful. Once you see them clearly, you can start making strategic changes. Maybe it's finding ways to increase income, or getting even more creative with saving. Maybe it's accepting that this is temporary, a phase on your journey to something better.

Whatever your next step, know that you're not alone in treating car washes like spa days and name-brand cereal like champagne. We're all out here doing our best, making store-brand pasta taste gourmet, and finding joy in small victories like catching a good sale.

And someday, when ordering an appetizer doesn't require a mental financial conference, we'll appreciate it in a way that those who've never struggled never will.