11 Things That Are Normal To Find In Working-Class Homes But Confuse Wealthy People
People with a lot of money don't quite understand the financial struggle.
Dean Drobot | Shutterstock Considering the middle-class is shrinking and more people are struggling financially, it's not surprising that research, insights, and patterns about the working-class are becoming more prevalent. Especially when you account for the wealth gap — where the wealthy boast privilege, free time, and personal choice — the differences between the working-class and their richer counterparts are impossible to ignore.
Many of the things that are normal to find in working-class homes but confuse wealthy people are representative of that gap. They not only have different habits, priorities, and mindsets, the literal objects, home decor, and spaces in their homes are wildly diverse.
Here are 11 things that are normal to find in working-class homes but confuse wealthy people
1. Reused bags
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Whether they're plastic sandwich bags that have been washed out or reused grocery bags, these are some of the things that are normal to keep in working-class households that wealthy people would dispose of without a second thought. Wealthier people can afford to buy convenience, no matter how wasteful it really is, while other working-class people pinch pennies by saving, reusing, and recycling.
According to a study from Frontiers in Psychology, many people who are inherently frugal or required to be because of their financial situation often indulge in sustainable and eco-friendly habits without intentionally thinking about it. They conserve their resources and spend their money intentionally, while wealthier people overspend and fill their homes with wasteful products and things.
2. Aluminum foil on the stove
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Many people spend hundreds of dollars every year on cleaning supplies for their homes, and in today's economy, with rising prices and more financial uncertainty, it's just not sustainable. Wealthy and rich families may have the disposable income to be wasteful with cleaning supplies and products — buying them regularly or even investing in service work to clean their homes — but working-class people don't have that luxury.
That's why things like aluminum foil on the stove or bulk vinegar are some of the things that are normal to find in working-class homes, but confuse wealthy people. They help to make cleaning more efficient, but also more affordable amid other financial responsibilities and strains.
3. Reused jars and food containers
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Like many of the other recycling habits working-class people rely on to save money — from sewing clothes, to reusing plastic bags, and saving cans — repurposed food containers and jars are some of the most popular. Whether it's putting leftovers in the whipped cream container or using a cleaned jar for coffee in the morning, these are some of the things that are normal to find in working-class homes, but genuinely confuse wealthy people.
While every person with financial stability is different, many wealthy people would prefer to spend money on convenience — not needing to clean jars and remove packaging — and aesthetics, like having matching dishware and containers, than reusing and recycling to save money.
4. Coupon drawers
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From saving coupons in a drawer to keeping mailed pamphlets from the grocery store, these money-saving resources are some of the things that are normal to find in working-class homes, but confuse wealthy people who often pay for convenience and brand labels. While working-class people struggle to afford basic necessities, cutting costs wherever they can, wealthy people have the luxury of time and choice.
While coupon usage is on the rise across economic demographics in the face of rising prices, it's still one of the habits that low-income people rely on most to save money and maintain a level of financial stability amid the chaos.
5. Personal tool kits
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Considering time is just as much of an indicator of affluence as income, it's not surprising that wealthy people are willing to spend on hiring service workers and outsourcing labor to make the most of their leisure time.
They have the freedom of choice when it comes to filling their time, which is part of the reason why they boast higher levels of happiness, while working-class households are forced to use their time to do chores, fix household issues, watch their kids, and work extra jobs.
That's why tool kits and personal maintenance tools are some of the things that are normal to find in working-class homes — they're fixing things and doing the work themselves.
6. Mismatched decor
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While wealthy people have the financial freedom to curate an aesthetic in their homes and purchase intentional home decor that suits their personal style, many working-class people only have the financial security to focus on practicality and usage.
When they're crafting their linen closets or getting dishes for their kitchen, they're not worried about matching sets or aesthetics, but rather how long they'll last and if they're usable. They have mismatched towels and rags from decades of moving around, thrift store decor, and practical furniture that suits their lifestyle — things that many wealthy people find confusing.
7. Box fans
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Box fans are one of the unconscious and seemingly innocent things that are normal to find in working-class homes but confuse wealthy people. People with the disposable income to spend will simply turn their house temperature down when they're too warm or invest in air conditioning units, but for working-class people pinching pennies on utilities and electricity — that's not an option.
They invest in short-term solutions that save them money right now, even though it might cost them more in the long run, because they don't have the luxury or convenience of money and time.
8. Free samples and condiments
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Whether it's a ketchup packet from a restaurant, single-use salt and pepper, or free samples from events and work, these are some of the things that are normal to find in working-class homes but confuse wealthy people. If saving and using them gives them even a few extra dollars at the end of the month, it's a worthwhile endeavor.
Intertwined with psychological spending justifications and guilt, financial status and income truly plays a role in daily habits and routines, even if that means going out of their way to grab free samples at the grocery store.
9. Reused gift wrap
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Even if it saves them a trip to the grocery store or money on wrapping paper for gifts during the holidays, working-class people will make an effort to save things in anticipation of later needs. Whether it's a birthday gift or a Christmas present, they're intentional about saving items they may regift or keeping the bag somewhere safe to use for someone else.
Even if it seems absurd to wealthy people, who personalize their gifts with the freedom of time and income, it's one of the things that's normal for working-class people to have in their homes.
10. Clotheslines
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Considering laundry appliances tend to be the most energy-draining things in a person's home, it's not surprising that alternatives — like a clothesline or a manual washing container — are some of the things working-class people invest in over-and-over again.
Compared to wealthy people, who opt for appliances and expensive routines to save them time, working-class people prioritize saving money — spending the extra effort hanging their clothes and doing laundry to avoid absurd utility bills at the end of the month.
11. Single-use items
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Even though they may be more costly in the long run and less aesthetically pleasing for people who care about curating a vibe in their living spaces, single-use items are one of the ways working-class people save money in the short-term. That's why they're one of the things that are normal to find in working-class homes, but confuse wealthy people — the people who often recognize how expensive they truly are over time.
Whether it's paper plates — that help to cut back water bills and energy from washing dishes — or small batches of single-use products from the grocery store, they don't mind spending less now to make paying bills and affording things easier.
Zayda Slabbekoorn is a staff writer with a bachelor's degree in social relations & policy and gender studies who focuses on psychology, relationships, self-help, and human interest stories.
