[joncp]

... and a car to haul all that stuff, and time to drive to the nearest Costco.

It really is a luxury that a ton of people can't afford.

[pluralmonad]

Time to go and acquire necessary food stuff is not a luxury in any reasonable framing. What is the alternative, eating drive-thru every day or having Instacart deliver overpriced groceries?

[adrianN]

I believe eating food from street vendors was the usual way for paupers until quite recently. Recall that it was common to rent a bed for a few hours and share it with someone who worked different shifts.

[geodel]

Indeed. And I say this as Costco member. There are lot of factors that make Costco memberships work. And a lot of people won't be able to make much benefit out of Costco membership.

[andrew_lettuce]

I say this as someone who admires their business model and how they treat customers & employees: your typical Costco experience is drive to the suburbs, spend $500 and load up your car with nice to have food products and discretionary purchases. Poorer people cannot do any of these things.

[cyberax]

Why is car a luxury? A clunker car worth $2000 will still work fine for years with minor maintenance that can be done by yourself.

Oh, yeah. Cities. Cars are expensive when you live in a 100 sq. ft. box.

Perhaps that's what is causing problems?

[doublepg23]

The $2000 daily driver died with covid.

[JambalayaJimbo]

The cost of the car itself is minimal compared to insurance, gas and storage costs.

[Waterluvian]

A competently planned city makes car ownership unnecessary.