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We’ve been sold a picture of the wealthy life filled with glamour and luxury, but it’s far from the truth.
The economic advantage that comes along with wealth has had wide-ranging negative impacts on our lives, some more obvious than others.
From the widening gap between those who have and those who don’t to creating an increasingly elitist system, few areas in life are unaffected by this issue.
In this article, we’ll explore 12 things ruined by the rich, both big and small, so you can see how wide-reaching their influence is.
#1. The Retro Games Market
Gaming is a popular hobby, and while it’s expensive, certain areas are costly for other reasons besides new hardware and things like inflation.
The retro games market has been flooded by people who want to make a ton of money by buying these games cheaply and then reselling them for exorbitant prices.
As a result, many can’t get the games they want for their collections and refuse to pay these prices.
#2. Artistic Neighborhoods
Artistic neighborhoods used to be places worth celebrating, and they also used to be somewhat affordable for the creatives who wanted to live there and make a name for themselves there.
Today, you’d be hard-pressed to find artistic neighborhoods that are affordable in any capacity.
Rich people tend to move in, raise the rental prices and, snatch up all the real estate, then move on to the next trendy place to do the same.
#3. Lobster and Other Widely Popular Foods
Remember when things like lobster and oxtail used to be affordable?
Not anymore.
Rich people have considerably raised the price of seafood and certain cuts of meat, and now they’re generally unaffordable for the average person.
#4. Burning Man
Music festivals are something that plenty of people would attend if they could afford it.
Festivals like Burning Man are much more expensive, and the breed of rich people that flock there are generally entitled and poorly behaved.
Most people agree that the best time for Burning Man is when all rich people leave.
#5. The Housing Market
If there’s one thing rich people obliterated, it’s the housing market.
Of course, this is intentional.
Buying up all available properties and pricing prospective homeowners out of the market allows them to effectively rent these properties out and keep more people renting so they can continue to line their pockets.
Is homeownership just a dream now?
Only time will tell.
#6. Pickup Trucks
Pickup trucks used to be used primarily by farmers and those in occupations requiring heavy materials.
Today, pickup trucks have almost become a status symbol.
As a result, the rich have made pickup trucks quite unaffordable for the people who need them for their functionality, not the insane designs and all the extra bells and whistles that accompany them today.
#7. The Middle Class
The middle class is and has been eroding for some time.
Yes, it is the rich’s fault.
Through greed and raising prices, corporations suppressing wages, and the rich getting richer while withholding wealth from everyone else, being middle class is not nearly as attainable as it once was.
People are generally either struggling or are well-off and continuing to make moves that will bring in even more money.
#8. Thrift Stores
If you’ve always loved a deal, chances are you used to like to thrift.
But thrifting doesn’t offer as good of a deal as it once did.
The rise of flippers means that many places are consistently cleared out of anything good, and many thrift stores have raised their prices because they know they’ll make more money catering to this market.
It’s unfair, but it’s how the rich have made it.
#9. Climbing Mt. Everest
Climbing Mt. Everest is somewhat about skill but mostly about money.
Nowadays, it’s mainly the rich who can make the dangerous ascent.
This is because they have money to spend on the expensive materials needed to get to the top.
If you don’t have money to throw around, it will take time to reach your goal.
#10. Cars
Cars aren’t a luxury, they’re essential.
But it’s hard to afford a car these days.
Because the rich can spend more and because they control the industry, they can price their cars however they want, and it’s just getting higher and more out of control.
Even used cars are costly, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a good deal for something you need to get around.
#11. Healthcare
The healthcare industry is a mess, and most people can’t afford it anymore.
Health insurance is either tied to employment or costs a ton of money, and even then, you’re paying a lot out of pocket while already profitable insurance companies will do everything in their power to avoid supporting you.
This is unlikely to change anytime soon.
#12. Government Support
Government support in the form of welfare has always been looked down on.
But it’s something that the rich are more than happy to take advantage of when they can.
From PPP loans that many didn’t need to government bailouts, the rich will look down on people who need help while scooping up all of the available resources and support for themselves.
How To Have Stealth Wealth
When we think of the wealthy, we think of big homes and flashy cars. But many millionaires have stealth wealth.
This means you would never know they are rich by looking at them. The benefit? People leave them alone.
LEARN HOW TO BUILD STEALTH WEALTH
Save Money on Car Insurance
It’s very easy to save money on car insurance, thank to technology.
If you haven’t shopped around in the past year, you are likely paying more than you should.
Here are some simple hacks to slash your insurance bill.
BEST WAYS TO SAVE MONEY ON CAR INSURANCE
How To Get Free Money
The idea of free money sounds like it can’t be true. But it actually is.
There are many ways you can get free money, from playing games, to watching videos, and more.
Here are the best ways you can get free money without having to work for it.
How To Start Over Financially At 50
It can be difficult to start over financially at any age. But when you are 50, there is added pressure.
Not only do you have a limited number of working years left, but you also see how well others in your peer group are doing.
If you are starting over at 50, don’t give up hope. Here is how to drastically improve your finances.
HOW TO START OVER FINANCIALLY AT 50
Best Ted Talks On Personal Finance
Ted Talks are a great way to learn about a new topic in a short amount of time. They can be a springboard to getting better educated in many areas of life.
One great example is money. Here are the best Ted Talks on money that will help you start improving your finances so you can live a better life.
BEST TED TALKS ON PERSONAL FINANCE
I have over 15 years experience in the financial services industry and 20 years investing in the stock market. I have both my undergrad and graduate degrees in Finance, and am FINRA Series 65 licensed and have a Certificate in Financial Planning.
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