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StitcherIn 2006, everything just felt simpler. Fast forward to 2026, and it feels like you’re paying more for everything and getting less in return. Is that reality or is nostalgia just making us believe it? In this episode we’re looking at what your money actually bought you 20 years ago vs. what it buys now and why so many of us feel like the deal quietly changed.
Price is what you pay. Value is what you live with.
What your money actually buys in 2006 vs 2026
Looking back at 2006 v.s 2026, it’s clear things shifted in both directions. Jill talked about how restaurants used to feel like a better deal, with better quality, lower prices, and no pressure to tip. Now you’re paying more across the board. And when it comes to homes and cars, affordability dropped so fast with higher prices, higher payments, fewer options. Life’s safer and more high-tech, but definitely pricier.
But Jen says not all changes are a downgrade. Like streaming back in 2006, cable ran about $80–$90 a month for basic channels. Now you can just pick one streaming service and pay way less. Jen and Jill agree that some things got worse, but some changes are actually a win.
The Deal Quietly Changed
Jen and Jill believe the biggest change over the last 20 years isn’t just higher prices, it’s what your money actually gets you. We’re paying more for more complexity and less accountability. That’s why, before spending, it helps to slow down and think about a few things like how long this will last, how often you’ll really use it, how much friction it removes (and for how long), and what you’re giving up by choosing it.
In honor of Valentine's Day tomorrow, what do you love now that didn’t exist in 2006?
For Jen, it’s her children and Frugal Friends that didn’t exist back then. And for Jill, it’s good cameras.
Bill of The Week
Thanks Christine for sharing your bill about going to Disney alone as an adult 🙂
Thanks so Much for Listening!
Thanks so much for listening. We love love love reading your kind reviews of our book Buy What You Love Without Going Broke and we especially loved this one from:
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When the student is ready the teacher will appear
Jen & Jill….you are my wise and hilarious parasocial guardian angels and your podcast/book helped me change my life!
I started listening to the Frugal Friends Podcast on January 1, 2025 while putting away Christmas decorations. Probably thinking I had overspent during the holidays and could use some frugality in my life! I had been in a never ending cycle of consumer debt for 17 years. I’m not sure what changed in my brain by listening to your bills of the week and lightning rounds but I decided I couldn’t keep saying ‘one day’ any longer.
So I did the math (and I hate math!) to see that I had 41 weeks until my balance transfer deal expired. I began simply by following a schedule to pay off debt every week. I couldn’t believe it was working and how exciting it was to see the debt total dwindle. Buying the charming ‘How To Buy What You Love Without Going Broke’ book was a given as you two were helping my debt free dream come true. I paid off $14,084.31 in 41 weeks and as of October 7, 2025 I am debt free.
But most importantly I will NEVER EVER be in debt again because I’ve learned to budget, pause before buying and realized how feelings of insecurity affected my spending. Thank you for being the teachers who appeared when this student was ready!
If you want to check out our monthly challenge community head to frugalfriendspodcast.com/club to see what challenge we have coming up next.
Keep leaving us reviews on iTunes or Stitcher, and sending the screenshot to reviews@frugalfriendspodcast.com. And don’t forget to share your favorite quote from the episode by using the hashtag #FrugalFriendsNote. 😉