Times are tough and wallets are strapped, but it appears that not everyone is acting like it. Forking over $7 for a latte? Sure, why not. Spending $10 on a 12-pack of soda? Can’t hurt, I suppose.
On a recent Reddit thread, one user posed the question: “What is something that has become ridiculously expensive, but people still pay for it like it is nothing?”
Turns out, there’s plenty. Take a look at the “harmless” items that Redditors can’t believe people still pay for. Who knows, maybe it’ll have you considering your own casual purchases.
Disney Parks
A one-day adult ticket to Disney World currently starts at $119 per day. And listen, no one is going to Disney alone, so those family packs start to rack up — not to mention the hotels, flights, and meals that can end up totaling thousands of dollars.
“Boggles my brain people go every year at those costs,” wrote on Redditor, while another commented that “They’ve raised the prices and it’s still busy and overpacked.”
According to the New York Times, families are actually going into debt over Disney vacations. Listen, Mickey is cool and all, but he’s not worth living paycheck to paycheck for.
Cocktails (and Mocktails, for That Matter)
The $20 cocktail is in full force, and some Redditors are dumbfounded that, in a time of economic uncertainty, some people are still willing to spend that much on a drink. Not only that, but mocktails are now guilty of costing big bucks, too.
“$20 for juice with more juice?!?” marveled one Redditor. “Insanity.”
Wings
Chicken wings, that is. What used to be an affordable app or meal at a bar while watching the game is now a serious investment. After spiking in 2022, the price of wings has come down slightly — but not by much. According to Toast, the rise of feed and production costs, transportation and fuel, and labor costs have all contributed to the inflated price of wings.
A quick look at the menu from my local Buffalo Wild Wings showed 10 wings for around $15 — and people are not having it.
“10 wings, fries, and a drink should never cost more than $12 and it’s $20+ almost everywhere now,” mused one Redditor. “Infuriating.”
Maybe opt for cauliflower wings instead?
Coffee
Remember paying $3 for a latte? Yeah, neither do we. It’s been that long.
“My #10 can of Costco Kirkland coffee has gone from $12 a few years ago, to $23 last week,” read one comment on the thread.
“Due to climate change, it will only become more expensive,” mused another.
According to the Wall Street Journal, coffee prices have jumped in large part due to extreme weather (namely drought) affecting coffee crops. Tariffs and surging fuel and freight costs have also played a role. So much for a casual coffee run over the weekend.
Hotels
Budget travelers used to be able to find a sub-$100 rate for a night at places like the Holiday Inn or Comfort Inn. But now, the line is blurry between budget and boutique hotels. “What happened to the $150 hotel room?” asked the Washington Post, and honestly, we’re wondering the same. According to the article, “the average daily rate of U.S. hotels jumped from $131.56 in 2019 to $160.49 in 2025.” It’s no wonder people are taking fewer vacations.
To avoid overpaying, Redditors are getting creative.
“I sleep in my car at rest stops these days,” shared one user, while another recommended camping or couch surfing.
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Cellphones
Do we need cellphones? In today’s world, sure. But do we need an $800 cellphone, which is how much the new iPhone 17 costs? That’s a hard no.
“We’ve gone from a top of the line phone costing maybe $500 to phones costing $1,500 in a very short amount of time,” one Redditor shared. “And the problem is that lower end phones are little more than trash. It’s insane that we’ve normalized these prices when the average person changes their phone every 2-3 years.”
What do you think people are casually paying too much for? Let us know in the comments!
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