13 Status Symbols You Can Buy Under $500 (#9 Used to Be Affordable)

Status symbols are things you may want to own to make yourself feel good or show off your coolness to society.

But they can also get pricey. Teslas, for example, may be a cool status symbol, but they aren’t cheap.

There are still some status symbols that can make you feel good or trendy while helping you keep more money in the bank. Here are a few you may want to check out to stay on trend.

The Stanley Cup has become a Stanley status symbol, with customers snatching them up in different colors or camping out at Target to get limited editions.

The cup is also affordable compared to more expensive status symbols, but you’re still likely to pay around $45 for an authentic cup.

You can also find cheaper Stanley-like options at places like Walmart or Aldi, which released a look-a-like last year.

The iPhone has been around for a while, and you may have bought several over the years, along with sleek iPhone cases with rounded edges.

However, the newest status symbol is an iPhone case with corners. Flaunt's square cases have become popular with trendsetters and come in a variety of designs for $46.

Traveling to unique locations for Instagram-worthy photos can be a great way to boost your status, but you don’t have to go over your $500 budget to get there.

Check out weekend road trips to quaint towns nearby with a bed and breakfast, or try glamping and get picture-perfect shots on hiking trails while you’re out.

Dyson may be better known for vacuums, but its hair dryers are also a big seller among customers who want to stay on trend.

The sleek hair dryer works with different hair types and is available in one of three colors, along with attachments, for $429.99.

Those popular little earbuds didn’t give music fans the best sounds, inspiring two recording industry heavyweights to create something better.

The company now offers several options, including headphones and wireless earbuds, that range from $69.99 to $349.99, depending on your willingness to spend on the status symbol.

Sneakers have become a bigger status symbol as collectors snatch up special pairs, and some celebrities match formal dresses with sneakers on red carpets.

Nike’s Air Max shoes have some trendy designs that turn heads while also solidifying your spot as a trend leader with unique designs that start around $100 and can go up to $200.

Forget about sweeping and mopping when you can get a Roomba to take care of that for you.

IRobot’s Roomba has different options, including vacuuming and mopping features, and it can empty the dirt itself when it’s done.

Roombas can start at $229.99 and go up from there, depending on which features you want for your new robotic floor cleaner.

Leggings have become more popular for women recently, especially if they’re a name brand like Lululemon.

You can find a cheap pair of leggings at a local retailer or get a more robust pair from Lululemon in a variety of colors and designs starting around $100 to add a status symbol to your closet.

Concert tickets are expensive when you add on fees and other charges to see a show, and that’s if you can actually get tickets to a high-demand concert for an artist you want to see.

But there are still shows where you can get in for under $500 for a ticket to your favorite artists.

For example, tickets for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour ranged from $49 to $499 per ticket before fees — if you were able to buy them before they hit the resale market.

Le Creuset makes signature pieces that are perfect for showing off in any kitchen and also work well when baking and cooking.

For $430, you can pick up a Le Creuset Signature Round Wide Dutch Oven, perfect for stews, steaming, or frying.

You can choose from one of 21 different colors to match your kitchen and keep it out for guests to admire.

More workers are heading back to the office as the work-from-home trend slows down, and that means you may need to get your suits and business casual look out of the closet.

Business or business casual styles need good shoes, and you can show off with a pair of Johnston & Murphy Men's Dress Shoes with a unique buckle design for $165.

Skip the typical barbecue and invite your friends over for a backyard feast with pizzas made in a pizza oven.

The Ooni Koda Pizza Oven comes in several sizes, including a 12-inch version that cooks the perfect pie outside for $399.95.

Sterling silver jewelry from Tiffany will turn heads, and it’s coming back into style as a status symbol, especially if you want to buy one to treat yourself.

Check out the Return to Tiffany line, which features an iconic heart tag on pieces like necklaces and earrings. You can also pick up a Return to Tiffany Heart Tag Bracelet in silver for $275.

It can be fun to own a status symbol or two that shows off your trendy side, but you’ll also want to stay within your budget so you don’t struggle financially.

Think about finding extra ways to save money to afford your status symbols or start a side hustle to add some cash to your bank account for you to spend.

It’s also important to remember that while it’s great to treat yourself sometimes by getting something now, you should also help yourself financially by saving money for later.