Cost of Living

Step into a chillingly plausible future in Cost of Living by Robert Sheckley, a sharp and thought-provoking science fiction short story from the 1950s. Set in a world where every comfort and convenience comes at a staggering cost, the story follows Carrin, an ordinary man crushed beneath the weight of debt in a society obsessed with technological luxury. As he reflects on the tragic suicide of a neighbor and prepares for a visit from a relentless finance agent, Carrin confronts the unsettling truth about consumerism, inherited debt, and the price of happiness. With biting wit and eerie foresight, Sheckley examines how materialism and societal pressure can strip away freedom and identity—one payment at a time. A timeless tale for fans of dystopian fiction and social satire.