16 Items That Should be Free But Cost a Ton
Living costs a few dollars, a few more dollars than what we’d like to spend. But how should we live a worthwhile life without indulging? I’m not discussing indulging in lavish items like luxury cars or week-long vacations to Switzerland. I’m speaking about spending money on items that should be free. Education, healthcare, public toilet access, and even our own money are expensive today. What else do we yearn to make free yet continue to donate our paycheck to?
1. Healthcare
Healthcare in the United States is a costly luxury, and many people spend their lives trying to hold off due to lofty fees. Many countries offer free or low-cost healthcare, which benefits the community and the country. Unfortunately, loads of people in the U.S. deal with lifelong debt stemming from life-saving hospital visits. The National Cancer Institutereports an individual seeking treatment for brain cancer may pay around $200,000 for effective care.
2. Education
Public schools promise to teach youth free of charge. However, students need to bring backpacks, school supplies, paper, and other items not included in tuition. That’s for grade school. When kids move into high school or college levels of learning, they need to fork over thousands for activities or tuition, depending on the level of schooling. Scholarships and financial aid exist to combat the rising costs of education, though aid only covers a portion of tuition and fees per student.
3. Textbooks
If you went to college or high school, you probably remember the initial cost of your first school year. Say you had to pay $5,000 for the first semester to move into your dorm and return to classes. What about the expenses not accounted for, such as high-priced essential textbooks needed for classwork and homework? I think the most I ever spent on textbooks in one year was around $1,000, which isn’t affordable for millions.
4. Cable
Today’s climate finds people logging onto the internet for news streaming and entertainment sources. However, citizens still pay for cable channels to run news or sitcom shows daily. Options like Live TV let an individual pay for channels they wish to watch, though many TV watchers believe basic cable should come free of cost. Why can’t we watch the news or a late-night sitcom without paying a fair share of cash?
5. Internet Access
Living in the modern age almost requires an internet connection. Restaurant customers scan their digital menus, online billing eradicates paper mail, bank accounts live online, the world of entertainment finds itself through various web platforms, and not having any form of social media guarantees a judgy side-eye during the conversation. Although we spend excess time on the internet, the universal resource costs money. Why? Corporations know they can charge people a premium for the invaluable resource. Libraries, community centers, and restaurants offer free Wi-Fi connections, though.
6. Public Toilets
Paying to use a bathroom is a big city or international issue, although sometimes this manifests itself by asking a patron to purchase something in exchange for bathroom usage. Humans have a few basic needs: water, food, and restroom usage rank among the top priorities of daily life. Many people express shock that they can’t walk into any establishment and use the facilities.
7. Transportation
Whether you use public transit or own a car, accessing transportation strikes a heavy blow to the bank account. When gas prices rise, public transit prices rise, leading to a nonideal situation for any traveler looking to get from point A to point B. Most humans commute between their home and their jobs, and while walking or biking sounds like a wonderful plan, it becomes impractical for people with a commute over a mile long. Transportation costs also prevent people from participating in activities outside of work or home.
8. Parking
If you live in a big city, you understand the struggle between parking a car overnight after the parking hours run up for the day, just to wake up at 7 am the next morning and move the car to prevent a parking ticket. Or, you familiarized yourself with the ticking time bomb, otherwise known as a parking meter. Common complaints surrounding parking fees include high gas prices, unrealistic rules, and lack of free parking.
9. Air Pumps
Have you ever run low on air during a long drive? You worried your tire resided on the flat side, so you pulled to a local gas station and searched for an air pump. You found one, exuding excitement to return to the drive. Next, you realize the price for a few seconds of pressurized air access. Not every gas station charges for air access, though it is popular to pay for the pump. Pro-tip: Walmart and several auto shops top off fluids and check the air pressure in tires free of charge.
10. Toilet Paper
The United States, China, Portugal, and the U.K. are four countries that use higher volumes of toilet paper than other countries. Places like Asia and South America favor bidets, whereas other countries use water or clothes to clean themselves in the restroom. Let’s say a toilet paper roll costs over $5, and the average person uses 50 rolls a year ($250 a year).
11. Water
Some places have access to free water via fountains or filters. On the other hand, families purchase water bottles to supply themselves with clean, cold water. Like restroom use, water is a human need that fuels the body. This fact leads to the main concern regarding charging for water: if we need it to survive, why isn’t it free?
12. ATM Access
Picture the last time you visited an ATM not connected to your personal bank. You input your card, wait for the system to load, examine your monetary situation, select a choice, and a notification pops up. One reading: “This ATM charges X for a withdrawal fee.” Many people believe that regardless of whether the ATM matches up with the bank company, no one should pay extra money to access their money.
13. Fees
Along with ATM fees, credit card companies, banks, and billing companies charge extra fees on top of memberships. Why? to profit from the customer. Folks think companies should expunge extraneous fees since they already make enough money to generate profit.
14. Feminine Products
Women require feminine products every month. Like eating and breathing, this biological process occurs every 28 days or so. Sadly, the cost of these products limits access for low-income women and creates a harmful economic/health gap. Free access to feminine products would close the gap and increase women’s health and confidence.
15. Work uniforms
Many workers express annoyance toward doling out money to pay for an outfit to wear on a paid job. Instead of receiving an outfit on the company’s dime, they must purchase their own set of clothing, likely before beginning the position. To the workers, paying to show up for a job contradicts the idea of receiving money for showing up for a job. Workers suggest companies should provide their employees with uniforms prior to the first day on the clock.
16. Extras
RIP to the days of endless piles of Chick-fil-A mints overflowing onto free counter space. We’ve parted ways with restaurants supplying customers with extra sauce, dressings, or a few extra fries free of charge. A few weeks back, I dined at a Chicago-style pizza eatery with a few friends. One ordered chicken wings and asked for an extra side of ranch. The server informed her of the $1.50 surcharge for the extra ranch. Flabbergasted, my friend laughed and said, “Never mind.”
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