Recognizing signs of financial privilege can give you a better understanding of your upbringing and the advantages you might have had. These signs often include things we take for granted, like good education and healthcare; here are 18 signs of financial privilege.
Travel Experiences
Kids who travel a lot often end up with a unique perspective on the world; in fact, according to Forbes, “kids who travel do better in school.” If your family took frequent vacations, which can get pricey with flights, hotels, and activities, that’s a pretty big sign of financial privilege.
Extracurricular Opportunities
Growing up with the chance to join different extracurricular activities like sports teams, music lessons, or art classes usually means you come from a well-off background. These activities often have fees, need special gear, and require transportation, which can get pricey.
Access to Technology
If you always had the latest gadgets like personal computers, tablets, and smartphones, it probably means you were pretty financially stable. These tech tools give you educational perks, keep you socially connected, and offer endless entertainment. Growing up with them also sets you up for the digital demands of today’s careers.
Access to Quality Education
Attending private schools or top-tier public schools can be another indication of money stability, and these schools usually have smaller class sizes, more experienced teachers, and better resources. This kind of education can really set you up for success later in life by giving you a strong academic foundation.
Financial Safety Nets
Having parents who can handle unexpected expenses or emergencies is a definite sign of financial privilege. This kind of safety net takes a lot of stress off your shoulders and lets you take risks, like going to college or starting a business, without always worrying about financial disaster.
Healthcare Access
Regular access to top-notch healthcare, like check-ups, dental care, and specialized treatments, is a sure sign of being more than okay with money. It helps you stay healthier, catch issues early, and enjoy a better quality of life, possibly even a longer one.
Home Ownership
Growing up in a home your family owned instead of rented is often a sign of financial privilege. Owning a home gives you stability, security, and the chance for the property to increase in value. It also means your family could manage the high costs of a down payment and mortgage.
Financial Education
Learning about money management early on is a clear sign of financial privilege, especially if your parents taught you how to save, invest, and budget—you got a head start on achieving financial stability as an adult. This kind of guidance usually comes from parents who are financially savvy and secure themselves.
Low Student Debt
If you’ve graduated from college with little to no student debt, this is another big indicator of financial privilege. It means your parents could afford to cover those hefty tuition fees. Starting your career without student debt gives you a lot more financial freedom and flexibility.
Networking Opportunities
A network of influential people through family connections or private school alumni is definitely a sign of no money worries. These connections can land you prestigious internships, job offers, and valuable mentorship, giving you a big leg up in your career. This network can also provide guidance, support, and invaluable resources.
Stable Housing
Growing up without having to move all the time because of money issues is another sign of financial privilege. Having stable housing lets you build lasting friendships and do better in school. It shows a level of financial security that many families struggle to keep.
Dining Out Regularly
If you could eat out at restaurants often, especially nicer ones, that’s a sign of spare cash. Dining out can be pretty pricey compared to cooking at home. If this was normal for you, it means your family had the extra cash for these luxuries.
High-quality Wardrobe
Having a closet full of high-quality, name-brand clothes and shoes is a clear indicator that your family could afford more than just the basics, giving you items that offered style, comfort, and social status, which boosts your confidence. High-quality clothing also tends to last longer, providing durability, too.
Private Tutoring
Access to private tutoring or test prep services gives you personalized educational support and can really improve your grades and test scores, boosting your chances of getting into a good college–and they’re also signs that your family had money. Such tutoring can also provide tailored learning experiences that address your needs.
Personal Space
If you had your own bedroom growing up, that’s a sign of financial privilege; having your own space helps with better concentration, privacy, and comfort, contributing to your overall well-being, and also shows your family could afford a bigger living space. Personal space is crucial for development.
Diverse Extracurriculars
Doing unique extracurricular activities, like horseback riding, sailing, or fencing, is a clear indication of a well-off family, and these hobbies usually come with high costs for equipment, lessons, and memberships, making them accessible mainly to those with higher incomes. Participating in these activities broadens your skill set and enhances your social network.
College Savings
Anyone with a college fund set up from a young age likely had financial stability. It shows your parents had the foresight and financial ability to save for your higher education, letting you avoid student debt and focus on your studies, meaning you had more freedom in making educational choices, too.
Frequent Celebrations
A final sign of financial security is being able to regularly celebrate birthdays, holidays, and special occasions with elaborate parties or events. These celebrations often involve renting venues, hiring services, and buying gifts, showing that your family had the means to create memorable experiences.
Up Next: 19 Things You Didn’t Realize Are Against The Law
Most laws are common sense, like those involving theft, property damage, or violence, but there are many lesser-known regulations that most people aren’t even aware of. This article reveals 19 illegal acts that may inadvertently turn you into a common criminal. Remember, ignorance of the law is no excuse for breaking it!
19 Things You Didn’t Realize Are Against The Law
18 Most Common Reasons Why Women Leave Their Husbands
All women have different preferences when it comes to their relationships and marriages. However, there are many universal behaviors, traits, and habits that commonly drive them to divorce. This list unveils the 18 most common reasons why women leave their husbands.
18 Most Common Reasons Why Women Leave Their Husbands
17 Behaviors That Make People Think Less of You
If you want to be accepted by those around you, you have to behave in certain ways. Obviously, you should still be yourself, but there are certain social ‘rules’ people should abide by, like avoiding these 17 behaviors that make people think less of you.