We’re in an age where everything seems to have a price. Some make sense, and some everyday objects leave you scratching your head. We all want them or need them a lot but the price can be crazy. You have to ask, why are we paying for them when they should be free? Because it’s convenient or necessary or we just need to get by, we all spend more than we ought on these things. And the worst of it, not even that many of them are all that expensive to make. But for some reason we end up paying thousands. So here’s 10 things you should have for free that really do run you a lot of money. Count how many you recognize from your own life.
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Healthcare
All of us need medical attention at some point, but the cost of medical treatment is out of control. Medical appointments, prescriptions or hospital stays are all prohibitively expensive — especially for non-insured individuals. In most of the world, quality care is an option rather than a right, and people pay thousands for life-saving services. No one should have to choose between health and money.
Internet Access
The absence of internet in the modern age is an absence from society. It’s needed for everything from job applications to messaging family or taking classes remotely. As such an important service, internet prices are very high, particularly in rural areas. The internet is not a luxury, but an entitlement many believe. If it were free or cheap, then we’d all have a fair shot at taking part in the modern world.
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Menstrual Products
Tampons and pads are staples for half the population but at a hefty price. This can become an expensive monthly cost for most women and it’s financially difficult to handle. Some even have a “tampon tax,” on top of it all. It’s absurd that something so basic shouldn’t be available free, or at least much less expensive. No one needs to be put into “period poverty” because they aren’t able to pay for basic hygiene items.
Water
Clean water is a necessity, but not everyone has access to it. You need to purchase bottled water or even tap water in some places. This may seem unfair, given water is a human right. For those who live in areas where there is no access to clean water, it can add up and cause health emergencies. It’s hard to think there should be a price for something so essential to life.
Public Transportation
Public transportation matters for those who need it to get to work, school, or for running errands. But if you’re like most, that commute is costly in the long run, particularly in big cities. Ideally, public transport would be free, and it would be used by more people, helping to eliminate traffic and pollution. There have been a few cities that have experimented with public transit being more cheap or free, but it’s never easy everywhere. Better transportation could make lives a lot better for everybody.
Mental Health Services
Mental health care gets neglected, and that is expensive, emotional and financially. For many, therapy, medications and counselling are not affordable. Sometimes you’re not covered for mental health even if you have insurance. But mental health is no less critical than physical health. More easily accessible mental health services would enable thousands of people to have healthier lives and avoid crises.
Childcare
Childcare is a necessity for working parents, but it can be pricey. For most parents, daycare costs as much as rent or mortgage. This leads parents to be forced to make difficult choices such as having one parent remain at home rather than working. This is especially hard for low-income families who might not be able to afford good childcare. If childcare were free or more accessible, it would be much easier for parents to have a career and a family.
Prescription Glasses
Most of us get by with having great eyesight, but for others seeing clearly demands a prescription pair of glasses. Unfortunately, without insurance, glasses, eye tests and even basic frames are very expensive. People often end up putting on old prescriptions because they can’t afford new glasses. Giving everyone the opportunity to wear glasses would help millions of people live better lives.
Public Restrooms
To pay for public restroom access feels deeply unjust. Going to the bathroom is an absolute need we all experience, so it doesn’t really justify a charge. Yet most cities and tourist areas now charge for toilet facilities. This can be particularly discouraging when there are no free options available near by, so people either have to pay or do without.
College Textbooks
Textbooks for college are a big financial drain on an already stretched student budget. Most are hundreds of dollars, but as the technology improves it should be a fraction of that cost, or available on the internet for free. ‘Professors want to use the most recent editions, so it’s tougher to find good used copies, and students don’t even read the high-priced texts they have to buy. It’s a system that seems to be exploiting the student, and all the student can do is pay or get behind in class.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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