Millennials Are Sharing Things They Bought For Themselves As Adults They Couldn't Get As Kids, And My Inner Child Is Soooo Happy
Admittedly, adulthood isn't everything millennials thought it'd be when we were kids. We've got to go to work, make our own doctor's appointments, and sometimes even talk on the phone. However, there's one thing that makes it all worth it: being able to spend your adult money on whatever toy or silly thing you've always dreamed of — without anyone telling you "no," "not right now," or "we have that at home."
In a Reddit thread from u/Alarming-Offer8030, millennials were asked, "What did you buy from your childhood you couldn’t have back then?" and based on the responses, we are all out here having a true childhood Renaissance. Let your inner child have a little fun and see for yourself:
1."Lego. Not only were they expensive, but they were also 'boys' toys.' I have so many Lego sets now!! Not only that, but they're the fancy premium ones for adults."
2."A dog. I begged for one as a kid, and they never allowed it. Having a dog was everything I knew it would be."
3."Clothes that are my actual size: not bought too big so I'd grow into them or hand me down pants that were somehow always too short. Of course, lots of my present grown-up clothes are still used, but they actually fit me!"
4."I pay for so many adult enrichment classes. Co-Ed rec sports? Adult beginner dance classes? Writing/art workshops? Sign me up. While we lived in relative poverty, if there was a material item we wanted, it would eventually find its way to us — but we never really had a chance to do things like this that enrich and socialize. I'm horrible at almost everything, but it's been a blast to learn and be vulnerable learning with a community of other adults."
5."Croutons. I wasn't allowed to have them because I was picky and wouldn't eat salad. So, as an adult, I keep a bag in the house just for snacking purposes."
6."Braces! I was always so embarrassed by my teeth. I’m not sure if we didn’t have money or if my parents were unaware of how mortified I was over my teeth, but when I was 26, I finally got braces. It’s been a few years since I got them off, and I can finally smile and laugh without covering my mouth."
7."LIGHT UP SNEAKERS. I made sure to send my mom a pic of me wearing them as soon as I got home with the caption 'ADULT MONEYYYYY!'"
8."The better question is, what DIDN'T I buy? I got myself all the video games I wanted, all the Pokemon stuff (games, movies, toys, trading cards), multiple LEGO sets, every fast food imaginable, my dream Disney World trip, and Netflix/general subscription services — I feel millennials are THE generation redefining adulthood, and it truly is liberating being able to pursue this sort of happiness."
9."Every once in a while, I get a can of whipped cream just to spray in my mouth, not to top dessert or eat in any other fashion. The five-year-old version of myself gives the 36-year-old version of myself a high five every time. I have one right now, as a matter of fact!"
10."A pool. A whole-ass swimming pool. In my backyard."
11."Crop tops! I wasn’t allowed because 'god' and 'modesty.' Now every day can be crop top day if I want."
12."A trampoline. My mom was afraid I would break my neck, so she wouldn’t buy one. Granted, the ones from the 90s usually didn’t come with a safety net around them. I bought one in 2020, and the neighbors noticed I was on it more than my kids. Yes, I bought it so the entire family could use it, but it was also for the little girl who wasn’t allowed to use one when she was small."
13."Converse sneakers. They were super popular when I was a kid, and we couldn't afford them. I wore Keds knock-offs that fell apart pretty quickly. So when I was able to afford it, I bought Converse. I now have ten pairs in different colors to match my outfits."
14."I collect tea pots, and have curated a lovely tea set. The little girl in my head that loved tea parties and feeling fancy is chuffed when I have tea in my tea set."
15."CONCERT TICKETS FOR MY FAVE BANDS. I know there's no way in hell my dad would have let me go see Korn in 1999 in Detroit. But 39-year-old me has tickets for Korn AND Limp Bizkit this summer."
16."A skateboard! My mom and dad refused to buy me a skateboard because it wasn't a girly activity and I didn't have enough money to buy one as a kid or teenager. Jokes on them though, I splurged and bought one in college and have been enjoying skating on and off ever since!"
17."I got my damn Doc Martens."
So now I wanna know: what was the one thing you couldn't get as a kid that you bought as soon as you had adult money, and was it worth the splurge?
Responses have been edited for length/clarity.
