If we’re lucky, we have parents who mostly shield us from the harsh reality of money until we’re at least old enough to get a summer job. Some families don’t have that luxury. But even if your folks were scrambling, they were the ones holding the bills. It’s not uncommon to get to adulthood before you realize what some of the stuff you took for granted as a kid actually cost. It’s shocking! And kind of funny when you think about what you put your folks through over the energy bill.
Twitter user @_Shadjay asked his followers, “What’s one item you didn’t realize was expensive until you became an adult?” and they were ready with answers. Some are funny, some are a little sad—healthcare bills shouldn’t be such a shockingly high number. All are too, too real.
What’s one item you didn’t realize was expensive until you became adult? ? pic.twitter.com/jjcNMwRFxI
— TrendWay (@_Shadjay) October 2, 2019
First, folks paused just to send a prayer of thanks back in time to their parents who managed to keep them alive at all:
Remember how they would sometimes get it for you? I think I’ll call my folks and tell them thanks. I didn’t know how much of a gift it was at the time.
— Haydel Consulting (@juli882) October 3, 2019
Y'all, I'm so sad for us right now.
Maybe I'll order food even though there's food in the house! ??
— Erin Donovan (@goodyerin) October 3, 2019
Then they got into it, starting with what a money suck having a car can be:
Car maintenance.
This be the one that really make you contemplate EVERYTHING ?.
— Roman Ⓜ (@r0man1o1) October 4, 2019
Yasss I just said this. First time I had to replace tires I had to buy 2 & the melt down I almost had lmaoo. I was not here for it.
— Wattpad: IntellectualLoner (@PoeticallyEC) October 3, 2019
Existing
— baldheadtia? (@PrincesssTiauna) October 2, 2019
The holidays murder everyone’s wallets. Joy and cheer, my butt:
Real Christmas trees. I want to get my mom back just so I can apologize for having a meltdown because we couldn’t get a bigger, nicer tree the year dad was laid off.
— babsbeaty (@babsbeaty) October 3, 2019
Listen, iv just found out my mom would take out a loan for Christmas. The food, the drinks and the gifts – all borrowed money. I thought I was doing it wrong when I couldn’t afford
— We Are Not The Same?? (@MrsMxyzptlk1) October 3, 2019
TURN THE LIGHTS OFF WHEN YOU LEAVE THE ROOM!
Light bulbs. Those mofos be expensive for absolutely no reason. https://t.co/PtSE0MsIKC
— Jeffrey Jude (@jeffreejude) October 3, 2019
I just walk thru the house turning lights off, the other day I did it in the kitchen and my son was like “I’m still in here” to which I said “Your eyes are young, the light over the stove is enough.” Without missing a beat.
— Syn (@Asynaka) October 4, 2019
Health and body maintenance, especially those little pieces of bone in your mouth:
ambulances, health insurance, medicine (even OTC like $20+ for Claritin???) https://t.co/f16g4gyhcE
— Akilah Hughes (@AkilahObviously) October 3, 2019
Becoming an adult and having to pay for healthcare made me understand why my grandma and my pops thought that Robitussin and ginger ale fixed everything https://t.co/ian4MIdPan
— Ski Mask Shawty (@haveyouheardofg) October 4, 2019
$2000 for a root canal and a porcelain crown…and that's WITH insurance!! pic.twitter.com/pXNDrYW1cM
— AnaAna (@Anakita8) October 4, 2019
Bedding, the place where we’re supposed to rest and not think about money because we’re unconscious:
The prices are so disrespectful !!
— iGLOO. (@theminimalvibes) October 3, 2019
Fucking mattresses and sheets https://t.co/wweXTIW2of
— unk (@JonnyProton) October 3, 2019
Really, anything that makes the house look nice is going to be pricey AF:
Nigga you ever went and tried to buy a nice RUG?! https://t.co/3FdKt5CLAB
— Sazon Smitty (@SmittySav) October 3, 2019
Throw pillows https://t.co/xJfHM5yKpN
— Hailey Heininger (@Surrealpoop) October 4, 2019
Quality furniture https://t.co/CLIOLVRfkX
— Brother Shaquille Sunflower (@2DeCloud) October 4, 2019
Okay, so basically everything:
— By Kondja Veii (@heyprettyface) October 4, 2019
Damn. I’m gonna order some take out.