(CNN) -- Americans have more money, buy fancier toys, and live in bigger homes than ever before. CNN.com asked you for your definition of luxury and how the standards have changed over the years. Here is a selection of comments, some of which have been edited:
Liz Lewis; Montgomery, Alabama
I live in a small house with a mortgage less than the rent on my last apartment, I buy most of my clothes at Target and I drive an 8 year old car that I bought used 2 years ago. I don't take vacations because even though I can get the days from my employers, I can no longer afford to travel. My one indulgence is cooking. When I can I afford myself the luxury of buying real ethnic food such as imported cheese and spices.
Scott Lamar; Urbandale, Iowa
Hot Tub - definitely something I never thought I would own, but I won't go a day without spending 30 minutes in this luxurious amenity.
Virginia Cioffredi; Cranbury, New Jersey
My own personal luxury is my Saab. From the time I was 20, I looked to purchase the car. Now, I have one and she's definitely my baby. ... The ultimate in luxury as far as I am concerned is room service! Anywhere in the world I go, room service is the one thing I can always count on! No matter what the language, location, climate, you name it. I pick up a phone and my every wish is met. Works for me....
Randy Dauley; Dallas, Texas
I would consider the ultimate in luxury to be owning a Gulfstream IV jet with crew on call 24/7 and owning a super yacht of at least 200' with a chef and crew that could make extended cruises around the world with a helipad and state of the art navigation and global communication system.
Carol Daley; Sea Cliff, New York
The most important luxury in life is to have TIME to spend with your family.
Heather Surla; Huntersville, North Carolina
Money was already tight in the early 80s when my father was laid off by the iron-ore mining industry in northern Minnesota. Up until then, a trip to the grocery store every other Thursday when the mines paid gave us plenty to eat, but there was no room for fancy items. Like Ziploc sandwich bags. So, we settled for flip-top baggies and accepted that our sandwiches tasted like our lunch boxes smelled. Then came life with my single mom in college and working, and our family's tight budget called for further sacrifice. Mom wrapped our lunch items in plastic wrap and gave us 20 cents for milk. When I was 17 I went out on my own and put myself through college. There was precious little extra during these years, and certainly none for "yellow-and blue makes green." Ten years ago, I landed a job with my current company and was soon able to purchase real zziplocsandwich bags. I considered myself a success. At age 32, I have a drawer in my kitchen reserved just for baggies. Times are good now, and hopefully they'll stay this good. But if not, I always keep in the back of my head that, as long as I can afford to buy zziplocbaggies, then things are not so bad.
Jane Parkinson; Phoenix, Arizona
My favorite luxury -- one that I can enjoy every day -- is Yves Delorme sheets and towels from France. I've become a tactile snob, and these are the best. ...Ooh-la-la.
Timothy Finn; Wichita, Kansas
All I care to do is live in a modest house, pay for my automotive hobby, and have enough money to comfortably live. My automotive hobby isn't even very glamorous ... I have an old Mitsubishi sports car, nothing like a Ferrari or anything. Luxury defined as by me, is a comfortable life.
C.H.; Portland, Oregon
When I was growing up, my parents didn't have much money. So the one "luxury" item I am grateful for now is food. And this is about 80 percent truth, 20 percent joke.
Jen So; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
After a long hard fought battle with weight, I challenged myself to another battle: chocolate. I won my first battle and in this second struggle, I found my luxury. ... I now feel better and look better, and treat myself to one of the most expensive chocolates in the world.
Miriam Breslauer; Farmington, Michigan
[My] luxury items: Books to read for fun versus borrowing all books from the library, three hobbyist conventions per year versus only one, occasional comic books, and more board games than I used to buy. Required items (due to disabilities) others might consider luxuries: Maid service, lawn service, snow plow removal service, and paying people to repair the house instead of doing it myself.
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