It’s crazy to think about, but there was a time when five dollars actually bought you something substantial. Fast forward to today, and that same five bucks might not even get you a decent cup of coffee at your favorite café. Here are 18 things your parents could purchase for under $5 and we never will.
A Full Tank of Gas
It sounds impossible now, but there was a time when five bucks could actually fill your gas tank. Back in the ’60s and ’70s, gas prices were ridiculously low, often hovering around 30 cents per gallon.
That meant five dollars could get you 15 gallons or more, enough to take a long road trip without worrying about stopping for gas.
A Sit-Down Restaurant Meal
If you wanted a nice meal out back in the day, five dollars was more than enough. Your parents could walk into a diner, sit down, and order a full meal for less than five bucks. Some places even threw in a slice of pie for dessert.
A Movie Ticket with Snacks
It’s surprising now, but going to the movies used to be an affordable night out. Back in the day, five bucks could cover your ticket, a drink, and maybe even some popcorn. Drive-in theaters were even cheaper, sometimes charging just a dollar or two per car, making it a fun and budget-friendly activity for families and couples.
A Week’s Worth of Groceries
We could laugh thinking about it now, but grocery shopping used to be completely different. Your parents could walk into a store with five bucks and walk out with a cart full of essentials such as bread, milk, eggs, butter, and even some treats.
Today, five dollars at the grocery store might get you a loaf of bread and a dozen eggs if you’re lucky.
A Pack of Cigarettes
As you probably know, smoking was once a cheap habit, but those days are long gone. In the ’70s and ’80s, a pack of cigarettes cost around 50 cents to a dollar, meaning five bucks could get you multiple packs. Even in the ’90s, it was still possible to buy a carton for under $10.
A Brand-New Vinyl Record
Music lovers in the past had it pretty good, as they could walk into a record store with a five-dollar bill and leave with a brand-new album. Vinyl records typically cost between $3 and $5, making them an affordable way to build a collection.
A Month’s Worth of Bus Fare
One thing for sure was that getting around town didn’t always cost an arm and a leg. In the ’70s and ’80s, a bus ride was often just a quarter, meaning five dollars could get you to work and back for nearly a month.
A Couple of Gallons of Milk
There’s no denying that milk prices have changed drastically over the years. Back in the day, a gallon of milk cost less than a dollar, so five bucks could get you several. Parents used to stock up without worrying about breaking the bank, and milk was a staple that nearly every household could afford.
A Dozen Hamburgers at McDonald’s
It might sound crazy to us, but fast food used to be ridiculously cheap and in the ’70s, a McDonald’s hamburger cost around 50 cents, which meant five dollars could get you a whole bag of them.
Kids could get full meals with change left over, and families could eat out without breaking the bank.
A Decent Haircut
It probably pains people to hear that getting a haircut used to be a simple, affordable expense. Back in the ’60s and ’70s, five dollars was enough for a basic trim at a barbershop or salon, and if you went to a discount chain, you might have even gotten some change back.
A New Pair of Jeans
Let’s be real, clothing prices have gone through the roof compared to what they used to be. Decades ago, five dollars could get you a solid pair of jeans from a department store, and they were made to last. Even big-name brands weren’t outrageously expensive, and people could afford to replace their clothes regularly without spending too much.
A Night at a Motel
No doubt about it, budget travel was much easier back in the day. In the ’60s and ’70s, travelers could pull into a roadside motel and get a room for the night for about five bucks. Today, the idea of finding a motel room for under $50 is almost laughable.
Even the cheapest roadside motels charge $75 or more per night, and in most cities, you’re looking at well over $100.
A Steak Dinner
Did you know that going out for a steak dinner used to be a treat that most families could afford? A nice steak dinner at a casual restaurant, complete with sides and a drink, could easily be had for around five dollars.
A Ticket to Disneyland
Theme parks used to be so much more affordable than they are today and a single-day ticket to Disneyland cost just a few bucks, meaning five dollars could easily get you inside with change left over. Fast forward to today, and a one-day Disneyland ticket now costs anywhere from $100 to $200, depending on the season and the park.
A Monthly Gym Membership
Your parents will still remember that staying in shape didn’t always cost a fortune. In the past, five dollars was enough to cover a monthly gym membership at many local fitness centers. Some places even offered yearly memberships for around $50, making fitness accessible to almost everyone.
A Brand-New Board Game
Family game nights were a lot more affordable back when your parents were younger. In the ’70s and ’80s, you could walk into a toy store with five dollars and leave with a classic board game like Monopoly, Clue, or Life. Board games were a staple in most homes, and they weren’t outrageously expensive.
A Large Pizza
It may not be the case today, but ordering a pizza used to be one of the cheapest ways to feed a family. In the past, five bucks could get you a large pizza with all the toppings you wanted, often with enough leftovers for the next day.
A New Paperback Book
Finally, book lovers in past generations could build their collections without spending a fortune. In the ’60s and ’70s, a brand-new paperback novel cost around a dollar or two, meaning five bucks could get you multiple books to enjoy. Even well into the ’80s and ’90s, paperbacks were still reasonably priced, making reading an affordable hobby.