6 Cheaper Options for Things That Are Becoming Too Expensive for the Middle Class
Written by
Cindy Lamothe
Edited by
Amber Barkley
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It’s not just in your mind — everything feels more expensive these days. From groceries to streaming services, it’s like your budget can’t catch a break.
If you’re in the middle class, you’ve likely found yourself stressing over your monthly expenses or saying “How much?!” at the checkout line.
The good news? There are smarter alternatives to things that are becoming too pricey. Here’s a look at some of the ways you can cut back.
Housing: Consider Long-Term Renting and House Hacking
Homeownership is becoming out of reach for many middle-class families, especially first-time buyers.
According to Chris Heerlein, CEO of REAP Financial, high interest rates and inflated home prices have pushed monthly mortgage payments far beyond what many can reasonably afford. “We are advising some clients to consider long-term renting in walkable areas with fixed lease terms, then using the savings to invest consistently in taxable brokerage accounts.”
The goal, he explained, is to build flexibility and security while waiting for a better entry point into the housing market.
Andrew Lokenauth, money expert and owner of BeFluentInFinance, said housing costs are crushing folks these days. “I’ve seen so many friends priced out of their neighborhoods.”
Instead of traditional home buying, he’s noticed a huge shift toward house hacking — basically, buying a duplex or small multi-unit building and living in one unit while renting the others.
“Last March, I helped my cousin do this in Denver,” Lokenauth explained. “He now lives practically free because his tenants cover the mortgage.”
Education: Attend Community College for the First 2 Years
College tuition is another area where costs have outpaced what most families can manage. A report from the National Center for Education Statistics shows that the cost of just one year of college education in the United States has skyrocketed to an average of $38,000 as of 2023.
Many parents who once dreamed of sending their kids to a traditional four-year university are now considering community college for the first two years, paired with in-state public university transfers.
“It keeps the degree but dramatically cuts the price tag,” said Heerlein. “One family we work with saved over $80,000 by following this route, and their child still graduated with a degree from a top state university.”
Lokenauth agreed. “College education’s gotten ridiculous,” he said. “My niece just got accepted to a private university — $75,000 per year. Insane.”
Here’s what he’s been telling everyone: Start at community college for two years — which saves about $50,000 — then transfer to a state school. And skip the dorms: Living at home or with roommates off-campus cuts costs way down.
Groceries: Cut Down on Your Food Bill
Groceries are getting scary expensive, according to Lokenauth, but there are ways to save. “I’ve cut my food bill by about 40% by shopping at Aldi and Lidl instead of regular grocery stores.”
And those meal kit services — while they seem expensive — can actually save people money, because there’s zero food waste. Plus, they’re still cheaper than takeout.
Childcare: Join a Co-op
“Childcare costs more than my first apartment did,” said Lokenauth.
He said his sister found an amazing solution: She joined a childcare co-op with four other families. They take turns watching all the kids, which saves them each about $1,000 per month.
Some families are also doing nanny shares or switching to au pairs, which can cut costs in half.
Entertainment: Host Movie Nights and Dinner Parties
Entertainment’s gotten crazy pricey too. A night out can easily cost $200 or more.
For this reason, Lokenauth has started hosting movie nights and dinner parties instead. “Way more fun and costs about 75% less.”
Heerlein also noted the rise in cost of restaurant dinners. He has seen clients shift from dinners out to home-cooked themed nights that double as family bonding.
For streaming, Lokenauth shares accounts with family — which is legal but may be against some services’ terms, so double check yours — and uses free services like Pluto TV.
Travel: Try Road Trips
Even booking family vacations is getting scaled back. Heerlein said road trips and off-season bookings are replacing expensive airfares and resorts.
These changes are not just about budgeting. They are helping families stay connected and grounded during unpredictable economic times.
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