Bills, now and past

[ceagle]

Before our time, let's pick some income and outgo figures:

1950
Income averages 5k/yr

Expenses:
NaturalGas
Electric
WaterTrash
Gasoline/Transport
Telephone
MilkDelivery
NewspaperDelivery
TVs and Radios

2010
Income averages 50k/yr

Expenses:
NaturalGas
Electric
WaterTrash
Gasoline/Transport
CelPhone
CableTV/Satellite
Internet
Computers & VideoGames

Some are still there, other expenses have been replaced. There are obviously others too, but these may be the basics. It *feels* like we have more expenses than they did before our time... what're your thoughts?
Has income kept up, or are modern expenses taking a larger part of our income than they used to?

The census info says income has gone up, but spending power has remained the same for all but roughly the top 15% of the population. My income has not gone up in about 20 years. 1995 is when it peaked, so far at least. :/

Some interesting charts:
http://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d12/tables/dt12_024.asp
http://www.advisorperspectives.com/dshort/updates/Household-Income-Distribution.php

Comments

[bunny-plush.livejournal.com]

Using an inflation calculator I find I make less per hour than my 'peak' in 1993: I was laid off from a decent enough paying job then, and it took close to 20 years to match the $/hr. And unlike many of my acquaintances I'm swimming in debt to maintain my outward 'standard of living.'

Good thing I'm not paying for newspapers and milk delivery now ;o)

[porsupah.livejournal.com]

It's certainly much worse now than then. Consider just housing - back in the 50s, 60s, and 70s, being able to buy your own place was a perfectly normal expectation. Now? Heh. =:/

New expenses certainly add up. I admit, I'm rather puzzled when people profess to pay $100+/mo to a cable company just for TV, but, each to their own.

And then we have retail inflation indices versus reality, which.. don't always seem to line up. Witness claims of near-zero inflation, versus energy prices rocketing up (and thankfully, remarkably, actually coming back down somewhat, though not to former levels), and groceries ever inching up, sometimes doubled by shrinking package sizes.

None of which even begins to impinge upon the consciousness of most politicians.

[cabcat.livejournal.com]

Hmm the interesting thing is some things are cheaper :) Very interesting stuff.

The 2015 Corolla sedan at the mid trim level costs exactly the same as mine did when it was brand new XD Same price drive away 17yrs later.