If You Can Casually Afford These 8 Daily Luxuries, You’re Actually Wealthier Than 90% Of The Population

I was complaining to a co-worker about how expensive groceries have gotten. How I can’t believe I spent $80 on what used to cost $40.

She nodded sympathetically. Then mentioned she’d just bought fresh flowers for her kitchen. Again. Like she does every week.

And it hit me: we’re not in the same financial situation at all. Because I would never buy fresh flowers. Not because I don’t like them. But because spending $15 on something that dies in a week feels insane to me. It’s not even on my radar as an option.

But to her, it’s just what she does. A casual weekly purchase. No big deal.

The real markers of wealth aren’t the obvious things. It’s the small stuff. The things you do without thinking about it. The expenses that don’t even register as expenses because they’re just normal.

If you can afford these things casually—without budgeting for them, without checking your account first, without considering whether you can really swing it this month—you’re wealthier than you probably realize.

1. You Buy Lunch Instead Of Packing It

You grab lunch out most days. Not because you were running late and forgot your lunch at home. This was an intentional choice—because it’s easier. More convenient. And you don’t think twice about the $12-15 you’re spending.

That’s $60-75 a week. $240-300 a month. Just on lunch. And it doesn’t stress you out.

Research on spending patterns across income brackets found that regular restaurant meals for mundane occasions—not celebrations—is one of the strongest indicators of disposable income. Most people pack lunch because they have to, not because they prefer it.

Because here’s the thing: most people can’t afford to spend $300 a month on lunch. They’re bringing leftovers. Eating the same sandwich every day. Skipping lunch entirely to save money. If you’re casually buying lunch without tracking those expenses, you’re in a different financial category than a lot of people.

2. You Get Coffee Every Morning

You stop at Starbucks or the local coffee shop every single day. It’s part of your routine.

That’s $5-7 a day. $25-35 a week. $100-150 a month. On coffee.

And you don’t think about it. You don’t make coffee at home to save money. You don’t feel guilty about it. You just buy it because you want it and you can.

Most people can’t justify spending $150 a month on coffee. They’re making it at home. Using instant. Going without. Because that money matters. If you’re buying coffee out every day without calculating what it’s costing you annually, you have disposable income, my friend.

3. You Don’t Look At Gas Prices Before Filling Up

You need gas, so you pull into whatever station is convenient.

You don’t check the app to find the cheapest gas in your area.

You don’t drive across town to save 10 cents a gallon.

You don’t time your fill-ups for when prices might be lower.

You just fill up when you need to. Wherever you are. Whatever it costs.

Studies tracking consumer behavior at gas stations show that price comparison and strategic filling (partial tanks, driving to cheaper stations, timing purchases) are standard among middle and lower-income drivers, while higher earners prioritize convenience over cost savings.

Because most people are absolutely watching gas prices. They’re using apps. Driving out of their way. Only filling up partway. Every dollar matters when you’re on a tight budget. If you’re filling up without caring what the price per gallon is, good for you.

4. You Order Takeout Multiple Times A Week

It’s Tuesday night, you don’t feel like cooking, so you order food. Thursday, you’re tired, so you order again. On Sunday, you just want something easy.

Three, four, five times a week, you’re getting food delivered or picking up takeout. And it’s not budgeted. It’s not planned. It’s just what you do when you don’t feel like cooking.

That’s easily $200-400 a month on top of your grocery budget. And it’s not a thing.

Most people couldn’t even imagine that. They’re cooking every night because they have to. Eating the same cheap meals on rotation. Treating takeout as a once-a-month luxury if that. If you’re ordering food multiple times a week without it affecting your ability to pay other bills, you’re doing significantly better than, well, mostly everyone.

5. You Keep The Room Temperature At Whatever Feels Comfortable

It’s cold, so you turn up the heat. It’s hot, so you blast the AC. You set it to whatever temperature makes you comfortable and leave it there.

You don’t put on a sweater to avoid turning up the heat. You don’t suffer through the summer heat to save on cooling costs. You don’t obsessively adjust the thermostat based on whether you’re home or what time of day it is. You just stay comfortable. And you pay whatever the utility bill is.

Research on energy consumption patterns found that thermostat flexibility—setting temperature based on comfort rather than cost—correlates strongly with household income, with lower-income households reporting significant behavioral adjustments to minimize utility costs.

People are out here wearing layers indoors in winter, sweating through summer, and constantly adjusting the thermostat to keep bills manageable. Keeping your home at a comfortable temperature year-round without worrying about the cost is a major luxury.

6. You Take Ubers Instead Of Public Transit

You need to get somewhere, and you just call an Uber. You don’t check if there’s a bus. You don’t look up train schedules. You don’t walk to save money.

You just pay the $15-25 (and these days, even more) to get where you’re going comfortably and quickly.

And if you’re doing this regularly—for work commutes, errands, nights out—you’re spending hundreds of dollars a month on transportation that other people are getting for $3.00 on the subway.

And if you don’t think that three bucks for a subway ride is expensive, talk to almost every New Yorker about the recent fare increase. They’re taking public transit because they have to. They can’t justify spending $20 on a ride. They don’t even want to pay $3.

7. You Tip 20% Without Calculating It

The bill comes, and you just tip 20%.

You don’t calculate what 15% would be to save a few dollars.

You don’t tip based on what you can afford that week.

You just double the tax or round up to 20% and move on. Every time. Without thinking about it.

Studies on tipping behavior across income levels show that consistent 20%+ tipping regardless of bill size is strongly associated with higher disposable income, while tip percentage decreases and calculation increases among those with tighter budgets.

Because tipping generously when you’re barely making ends meet feels impossible. If you’re automatically tipping 20% without considering whether you can afford it, you’re in a pretty decent financial situation.

8. You Buy Fresh Produce And Throw Out Whatever Goes Bad

You buy vegetables and fruit with good intentions. Some of it goes bad before you use it. And you just throw it away and buy more next week.

There’s no guilt or trying to salvage the wilted lettuce or mushy berries. You don’t force yourself to eat something that’s past its prime. You just toss it and replace it.

A lot of people cannot afford to waste fresh produce. They’re buying frozen because it lasts longer. Buying only what they’ll definitely use. Eating things that are questionable because throwing away food is basically throwing away money. If you’re tossing out broccoli with reckless abandon, you’re considered wealthy.