If you haven’t seen that viral video of the two little girls from Burnley raging against an ice cream van, stop what you’re doing. and watch it here now.
@marnie.and.mylah when cost of living is taking it's toll 🤣🤣 #viral ♬ original sound – Marnie and Mylah
Back in 2024, Marnie and Myla went viral for a rant that resonated with every soul who has ever tapped a card reader with a grimace. “Two ice creams, with two chewing gums in it, for bloody nine quid!” Marnie yelled, her Lancashire accent thick with the righteous indignation of a consumer scorned. “He’s gonna get nowhere with those prices!”
Fast forward to Australia in 2026, and Marnie isn’t just a funny kid on TikTok anymore. She’s a prophet.
A viral resurfacing of the clip this week has hit a little too close to home for Aussies. While we giggled at the “bloody nine quid” line a couple of years ago, we aren’t laughing now. We’re just nodding in broke solidarity. Because in 2026, nine quid (about $17 AUD) for two treats isn’t a shock it’s another day of the week.
The “Little Treat” Tax It’s not just the ice cream vans. We are living in the era of the “Little Treat” economy. You know the vibe: you can’t afford a house, so you buy a $9 oat latte instead to feel something.
Recent market data shows that despite the cost of living crunch, the premium ice cream market in Australia is actually growing. We are projected to spend over $1.6 billion on ice cream this year alone. Why? Because when the rent goes up, we don’t cut back on Paddle Pops, we cling to it like a life raft.
It’s the lipstick effect, but tastier. We might be priced out of property, but we’ll be damned if we’re priced out of a double-scoop gelato.
Marnie Was Right The genius of Marnie’s rant wasn’t just the price; it was the disbelief. She was standing there with cash in hand (remember cash?), baffled that the world had changed so aggressively overnight.
That’s exactly how it feels walking into an Aussie supermarket right now. You see a bag of chips for $7, or a “special” on olive oil that costs more than a tank of petrol in 2019, and you channel your inner Marnie. You want to turn to the security camera and shout, “He’s gonna get nowhere with those prices!”
But the sad truth is, they are getting somewhere. We keep paying it.
So, next time you tap your phone for a $22 sandwich or a “bloody nine quid” soft serve, don’t cry. Just think of Marnie and Myla. They tried to warn us. We just thought it was funny, especially that last line “I bet he can hear me!”
