Privilege is not about whether or not you have struggled—it is about whether or not certain struggles were ever even a possibility for you. Some people grow up never having to think about basic survival, while others have spent their lives navigating financial instability, safety concerns, or lack of access to essential needs. If you have never had to question these things, it does not mean your life has been perfect, but it does mean you have a level of security that many people can only dream of. Recognizing privilege is not about guilt—it is about awareness. It is about understanding that some of the things you take for granted are actually luxuries to others. If any of these resonate with you, it might be time to acknowledge just how fortunate you really are.
1. You’ve Never Had To Skip A Meal Because You Couldn’t Afford One
There is a difference between choosing to skip lunch because you are too busy and having no choice but to go hungry because there is nothing in the fridge. If you have always had food when you needed it, even if it was not gourmet, that alone puts you in a better position than millions of people worldwide who go to bed hungry.
Food insecurity is a harsh reality for many, and not knowing where your next meal is coming from can be a daily source of stress. If you have never had to wonder how you will feed yourself or your family, it is a privilege you might not have even realized you had.
2. You Don’t Think Twice About Going To The Doctor When You’re Sick
For some people, a cough or a lingering pain means calling a doctor without hesitation. For others, it means weighing the cost of a visit, wondering if they can afford the bill, or waiting until their condition becomes an emergency before seeking help. The ability to seek medical care without hesitation is indeed a luxury. A study by Deloitte reveals that women are 31% more likely than men to avoid care due to costs, highlighting the financial barriers many face when accessing healthcare.
If you have never had to suffer through an illness simply because you could not afford medical care, that is a luxury many do not have. Healthcare should not be a privilege, but for many, it is. The ability to get treated without fearing financial ruin is something not everyone can say they have.
3. You’ve Never Had To Decide Between Paying Rent Or Buying Groceries
For a lot of people, financial stability means making choices between basic necessities—rent, utilities, food, or medical care. When there is not enough money to cover everything, something has to give, and it is a constant battle just to stay afloat.
The struggle to balance basic necessities is a harsh reality for many. According to a USDA report, 13.5% of U.S. households experienced food insecurity in 2023, with some having to make difficult choices between food and other essential expenses
If you have never been in a situation where you had to prioritize which bill gets paid while another gets ignored, that is an immense privilege. Stability means having enough to cover your needs without playing a game of financial survival every month.
4. You Go On A Vacation Every Year Without Fail
Travel is often seen as a normal part of life, but for many, it is a luxury that is completely out of reach. If you have the ability to take vacations—whether it is a weekend getaway or an overseas trip—that means you have disposable income that others simply do not. The privilege of annual vacations is not universal. A survey by International Medical Group (IMG) shows that while 96% of respondents plan international trips for 2025, only 29% anticipate spending more on travel compared to the previous year, indicating that regular vacations are not a given for everyone.
While there is nothing wrong with enjoying vacations, it is worth recognizing that having the time, money, and flexibility to take regular trips is a sign of financial security that not everyone has. For many, vacations are not an annual expectation—they are a rare and distant dream.
5. You’ve Never Had To Worry About Your Power Or Water Getting Shut Off
Utility bills are not something everyone can pay without stress. Some people live in constant fear of that final notice, knowing they are one missed payment away from losing heat, electricity, or running water. The ability to pay utility bills without stress is indeed a significant privilege that many Americans do not have. A report from the National Consumer Law Center revealed that by June 2021, nearly one million Massachusetts residential customers owed a total of $793.8 million in unpaid electric and gas bills, with 83% of those arrears held by customers more than 90 days behind on their bills and at imminent risk of termination.
If you have never had to wonder if the lights would still turn on tomorrow or if the water would keep running, that is a privilege. For many, keeping the bills paid is not a given—it is a struggle that happens every single month.
6. You Can Call Your Parents For Financial Help If Things Ever Get Tight
Having a financial safety net, even if you do not use it, is something a lot of people do not have. If you ever run into trouble—an unexpected expense, a lost job, a sudden emergency—and you know you could turn to family for help, that is a security blanket that many do not have.
Some people do not have the option of asking for financial support, and a single unexpected bill can throw their entire life into chaos. Knowing there is a backup plan, even if you never need to use it, is an enormous privilege.
7. You’ve Never Feared Losing Your Job Would Ruin Your Life
For some, losing a job means a mild inconvenience. For others, it means complete financial devastation. If losing your paycheck would not immediately put you at risk of eviction, hunger, or complete ruin, that means you have a level of security that many do not.
People who live paycheck to paycheck have no room for error. If you have savings, a second source of income, or family support that would keep you afloat, that is a privilege—one that many people wish they had.
8. You Have A “Fun” Budget, Not Just A Survival Budget
Some people’s entire paycheck goes toward keeping a roof over their head and food on the table. There is no money for hobbies, dining out, entertainment, or anything that is not absolutely essential.
If you have disposable income to spend on things you enjoy, that is a privilege. Having enough to meet your basic needs is one thing, but having extra to spend on things purely for fun? That is a level of financial comfort not everyone gets to experience.
9. You Never Sweat Over An Empty Tank Of Gas
For some, an empty gas tank is just a minor inconvenience—they will fill it up whenever they get around to it. For others, it is a serious problem, forcing them to choose between getting to work or affording groceries.
If you have never had to check your bank balance before stopping at the pump, that means you have a level of financial freedom that many do not. Transportation costs add up, and for people living paycheck to paycheck, even a simple fill-up can be a source of stress.
11. You’ve Never Worried About Your Safety In Your Own Neighborhood
Feeling safe in your own home and neighborhood is something many people take for granted. If you have never had to plan your routes carefully, avoid certain streets after dark, or sleep with one ear open out of fear, that is a privilege not everyone gets to experience.
Many people live in areas where violence, break-ins, or harassment are daily concerns. If you can go for a walk at night without fear or do not have to think twice about leaving your car parked outside, it is worth acknowledging the security you have that others do not.
12. You Can Afford Therapy, Even If You Don’t Go
Therapy is often seen as a basic tool for mental well-being, but for many, it is financially out of reach. Sessions can be expensive, and without insurance coverage, even a few visits can become an unaffordable luxury.
If you have the option to go to therapy but simply choose not to, that means you have the financial means to prioritize your mental health in a way many others cannot. Access to professional support should not be a privilege, but the reality is that for a lot of people, it is.
13. You Have More Than One Pair Of Shoes For Different Occasions
For some, a single pair of shoes has to serve every purpose—work, errands, exercise, and everything in between. The idea of having separate shoes for running, dress shoes for events, or casual sneakers just for style is something they cannot afford.
If you have multiple pairs of shoes to match different outfits, seasons, or occasions, that means you have the financial flexibility to buy things beyond the bare necessities. It is a small thing that often goes unnoticed, but for many, having options like this is far from a given.
14. You Think Of College As An Option, Not A Necessity
For some people, college is simply expected—it is the natural next step after high school, and the only real question is which school they will choose. But for others, it is not an option at all. Whether it is due to financial barriers, family responsibilities, or lack of access, higher education is a privilege that not everyone gets.
If college was always on the table for you, and you never had to question whether you could afford it or whether it was even possible, that is a major privilege. For many, pursuing an education means taking on massive debt or giving up the dream altogether.
15. You’ve Never Had To Live With A Toxic Family Member For Financial Reasons
Not everyone has the luxury of cutting off a toxic parent, sibling, or relative. Many people are financially trapped in unhealthy living situations, unable to move out because rent is too high, wages are too low, or they simply do not have a safety net.
If you have always had the option to leave a bad environment or never had to stay somewhere that harmed your well-being just because you could not afford to move, that is a privilege. Financial independence gives people the freedom to remove themselves from damaging situations, but for those without that ability, leaving is not so simple.
16. You’ve Never Been Denied A Job Because Of Your Last Name, Accent, Or Background
For many people, job applications are about qualifications and experience, but for others, factors beyond their control can stand in the way. Having a name that sounds “too foreign,” an accent that does not fit the standard, or a background that does not match what an employer expects can mean being overlooked before even getting a chance to prove their abilities.
If you have never had to worry that your last name might make a hiring manager hesitate or that your accent would lead someone to underestimate your intelligence, that is a privilege. The ability to walk into an interview and be judged solely on skills rather than assumptions about your identity is something that many people never get to experience.
