You might feel broke comparing yourself to others on social media, but if you can afford basic things like dental cleanings and saying no to overtime, you're living with hidden advantages that millions desperately wish they had.
Ever catch yourself complaining about money while scrolling through your phone with a full stomach and a roof over your head?
I do this more than I'd like to admit. Just last week, I was grumbling about an unexpected car repair bill while sitting in my favorite coffee shop, working on my laptop. The irony wasn't lost on me when I really thought about it.
We live in a world where comparison is constant. Social media shows us people with bigger houses, fancier vacations, and seemingly endless disposable income. It's easy to feel like we're struggling, even when we're actually doing okay.
But here's what I've learned after years of examining my own relationship with privilege: sometimes we're so focused on what we don't have that we completely miss what we do.
When I left my finance job at 37 to become a writer, those first two years were rough. I watched my savings dwindle and questioned my decision daily. Yet even during that challenging time, I had advantages I didn't fully appreciate.
This realization hit me hard in my late thirties when I started learning about intersectionality and examining my own blind spots.
If you can afford these eight seemingly simple things, you might be more privileged than you realize. And recognizing this isn't about feeling guilty. It's about gratitude and perspective.
1. A safe place to sleep tonight
Do you know where you're sleeping tonight? More importantly, do you feel safe there?
If you answered yes to both questions, you're already ahead of millions of people worldwide. Having a secure place to rest your head, whether it's a studio apartment, a shared house, or even a friend's couch you can count on, is a form of security many take for granted.
I remember volunteering at a shelter and talking to a woman who hadn't had a full night's sleep in weeks. She was constantly on guard, worried about her belongings and her safety. It made me realize that my ability to lock my door and sleep soundly was a privilege I'd never questioned.
2. The ability to say no to overtime or a second job
Can you turn down extra shifts without worrying about making rent? Are you able to spend evenings and weekends doing something other than working?
This one really struck me when I was contemplating leaving finance. A colleague mentioned she wished she could pursue her passion for teaching but couldn't afford the pay cut with her student loans and her mother's medical bills.
Meanwhile, I had the luxury of even considering a career change because I'd been able to save money from my well-paying job.
Time is a form of wealth we often overlook. If you're not working multiple jobs just to survive, you have the privilege of time for rest, relationships, and personal growth.
3. Regular dental cleanings
When was the last time you went to the dentist for a routine cleaning? If it was within the past year or two, you're doing better than many.
Dental care is expensive, often poorly covered by insurance, and considered a luxury by those living paycheck to paycheck. Poor dental health can lead to serious medical issues, impact job prospects, and cause chronic pain. Yet preventive dental care remains out of reach for millions.
If you can afford to maintain your teeth before they become a crisis, that's a significant advantage.
4. Throwing away food that's gone bad
This might sound strange, but stick with me. Have you ever cleaned out your fridge and tossed expired leftovers or produce that went bad before you could eat it?
While food waste isn't something to celebrate, having enough food that some of it spoils means you're not rationing every bite. You're not checking expiration dates and doing mental math about whether you can stretch that yogurt another day or two because there's nothing else.
Growing up in my middle-class suburb, I never thought twice about this until a friend in college mentioned she'd never thrown food away in her life. Her family couldn't afford to waste anything.
5. Choosing where to buy groceries
Can you decide between different grocery stores based on preference rather than just price? Maybe you shop at the farmers market I volunteer at because you prefer local produce, or you drive an extra ten minutes to the store with better selection?
Choice in where you shop is a privilege. Many people are limited to whatever is within walking distance or on the bus route. Others can only shop at the cheapest option, regardless of quality or selection. Food deserts are real, and having options for where you purchase your food is something many of us don't appreciate enough.
6. A working phone with data
That device you're probably reading this on? It represents a huge privilege in today's world.
Having a functioning phone with a data plan means you can apply for jobs, access banking, stay connected with loved ones, and get help in an emergency. You can look up directions, check emails, and participate in modern society in ways that are nearly impossible without this technology.
Think about how panic sets in when your phone battery dies. Now imagine not having that lifeline at all.
7. The ability to take a sick day
Can you stay home when you're genuinely ill without losing your job or missing crucial income?
This became crystal clear during the pandemic. While some of us worked from home in our pajamas, others had to show up to work sick or risk losing everything. The ability to rest and recover when you're unwell, without devastating financial consequences, is a privilege many workers don't have.
8. Some form of emergency fund
Do you have any money set aside for unexpected expenses? Even if it's just a few hundred dollars?
I know, I know. Financial experts say you need three to six months of expenses saved, and that can feel impossible. But if you have anything tucked away for emergencies, even if it wouldn't cover a major crisis, you're ahead of the 36% of Americans who couldn't cover a $400 emergency expense.
When I was living off my savings after leaving finance, I felt financially stressed every day. But I still had savings to live off. That buffer, even as it shrank, was a privilege many never have.
Final thoughts
Recognizing privilege isn't about feeling guilty or dismissing your own struggles. Your stress about money is real, your challenges are valid, and your feelings matter.
But acknowledging these privileges can shift our perspective in powerful ways. It can cultivate gratitude for what we have, inspire us to help others when we can, and remind us that wealth isn't just about the number in our bank account.
I spent years feeling guilty about the privileges that allowed me to change careers, but guilt doesn't help anyone. Instead, I try to use that awareness to stay grateful, to volunteer when I can, and to remember that my "tight" budget is someone else's abundance.
Take a moment today to appreciate what you have. Not in a "other people have it worse" way that dismisses your struggles, but in a way that brings genuine gratitude for the safety, choices, and small securities you might have been overlooking.
Because sometimes, recognizing our privilege is the first step toward both greater happiness and greater compassion.
