Things Americans say they can no longer afford: meat, vacations, nice cheese, shrimp, coffee, babysitters, date nights, streaming subscriptions, weddings, car repairs, manicures, medication, disney world, summer camp, birthdays, golf, seafood, nespresso, petsitter, skiing, contact lenses, child care, chocolate, dance class, paper towels, heating, good bread, jewelry, gym memberships, birdseed, new shoes, renovations, quality vanilla, video games, dental care, tennis, dishwasher, alcohol, amazon, theater tickets, massages, home repairs, sunday brunch, air-conditioning, lawn care, hair dye, fresh fruit, museums, tithing, pedicures, cars, snacks, travel, health care, pilates, cashews, glasses, therapy, socializing, organic vegetables, veterinary care, education, being spontaneous, pets, new clothes, oreos, sporting events, concerts, waxing, movies, cleaning services, slop bowls, retirement, eating out, ivf, books, children, lemons, homeownership, food delivery, dog grooming, living alone, insurance.

What America is Living Without

There are stories many of us tell ourselves about what we were given from birth, what we can attain and what we deserve — master narratives of our place in society. My parents sacrificed so I could get a good education, and now I should be able to have the kids, the house, the life I’ve worked hard for. Or I just got a promotion; that success should erase some of my worry. We tell these stories to help explain our lives to ourselves, and in order to understand our own trajectories.

But that story is getting harder to tell. While by some measures, members of the middle class now earn more than those of prior generations, the Brookings Institution recently found that one-third of the American middle class still can’t afford essentials. And for the rest, the high costs of child care, housing, medical care and other necessities make their incomes feel paltry. So they are trimming, reining in the lives they once expected for themselves.

Times Opinion asked readers what they can no longer afford, or have given up on having. These are some of their responses.

Respondents self-reported their annual incomes.

Chelsea Dowler, 32, has a household income of $78,000 in Lansing, Mich.

Film and theater tickets

Paul Tick, 72, has a household income of $82,000 in Bethlehem, N.Y.

Jill Burg, 48, makes between $51,000 and 80,000 and has one child in Des Moines

Lori Lang, 50, has a household income of $105,000 in Budd Lake, N.J.

“In a word, beef. I still buy hamburger, carefully rationed. How I’d love a little steak.”

Anne Madison, 75, makes less than $50,000 in Baltimore

“My husband and I always expected to have three or four children. After looking at the next several years’ expenses, we have decided to stop at two.”

KM Walsh, 37, makes $55,000 in Doylestown, Pa.

Catherine Fitzpatrick, 70, makes $24,000 in New York City

I’ve given up on the quality of life I grew up having.

“I picked a STEM major and then I went to grad school at M.I.T., and then I got a........

© The New York Times