I've been wondering just how young "kids" make a living these days. Ya know, young kids with small children? The use of the term, kids, for me is anyone under 40 years of age. LOL
But here I am sitting again (You know me --check out Friday's Feast this week, and you'll understand me better about "sitting again" part of this thought!!) Anyway, here I am sitting again, thinking of the past. Comparing in my mind what the minimum wage was when I was a teenager, getting ready to face the world on my own. I think with my first part time job, I was making a whopping 75 cents an hour!! And I thought I was rolling in high cotton!! Then, I was fortunate to get a full time job in the summers of my high school years, and working there during my school days part time! But back then, in the 1960's I was making nearly 10 DOLLARS an hour....in high school!!!! It was awesome. And boy did I have a wardrobe back then! In fact, other than buying my own car, I spent most of my other money on clothes!! Ahhhhhhhhhh, the good ol' days of being single and not much on the responsibities of having a family to support!! Fun days indeed. By the time I quit work when my hubby decided to become a man of leisure at 55, I was making pretty good wage. Salaried, but good.
Now, I'm here, retarded retired, and just pitying the people (KIDS!!) who have children, a home with a mortgage or rent, staples to buy to keep the family fed, cars (most families have more than one these days), medical, school, clothing a family of four or more, monthly bills due, and more and more as the family grows!! Speaking of rent...I think that's a total waste. After years of doling out $500-1200 dollars a month on RENT it's just like taking your paycheck and setting it on fire...you have NOTHING to show for it! Why not take that money and BUY a home. It's beyond my way of thinking. Yet, if I can convince you to buy a home and invest your money more wisely, I know a realtor who'd love to sell you a home of your dreams!! But, all in all, making a living in today's times is tough, nearly downright impossible! Impossible to save for retirement, a nest egg, and downright impossible to get ahead!! And they tell us that the American economy is stable? I say BAH HUMBUG!! Sure, people are purchasing!!!!--------all on credit cards or loans!!
So, I started looking around and comparing the costs of living since I was put on this earth. Granted, the wage wasn't the same as compared to today's times, but still, it's fun and interesting to remember the good ol' days!!!
The year I was born --
Car: $1,650
Gasoline: 26 cents/gal *falling flat on my face!*
House: $14,500
Bread: 14 cents/loaf
Milk: 84 cents/gal
Postage Stamp: 3 cents
Average Annual Salary: $3,600
Minimum Wage: 40 cents per hour
The year I was married --
Cost of a new home: $26,600.00
Median Household Income: $7,743.00
Cost of a first-class stamp: $0.05
Cost of a gallon of regular gas: $0.34
Cost of a dozen eggs: $0.53
Cost of a gallon of Milk: $1.07
The year one of our children graduated --
Cost of a new home: $149,800.00
Median Household Income: $29,943.00
Cost of a first-class stamp: $0.25
Cost of a gallon of regular gas: $1.16
Cost of a dozen eggs: $1.00
Cost of a gallon of Milk: $2.78
Ten years ago --
Cost of a new home: $166,400.00
Median Household Income: $35,492.00
Cost of a first-class stamp: $0.32
Cost of a gallon of regular gas: $1.23
Cost of a dozen eggs: $1.31
Cost of a gallon of Milk: $3.30
Today --
Cost of a new home: $264,000
Median Household Income: $44,389 (as of January 2006)
Cost of a first-class stamp: $0.39
Cost fo a gallon of regular gas: $TOO FRIGGING HIGH!!
Cost of a dozen eggs: starting at $1.10 up to $2.50 for organic
Cost of a gallon of Milk: anywhere from $3.00 to $4.65 for organic.
Not to mention the cost of Doctors appointments without insurance: $87.00
Apartment rent national average: $725
Meds:---Oh wowzers!! Unmentionable!!
Movie ticket: national average $8
SMALL PIZZA: $9 to $12
Oh yes....have pets? National average Vet visit: $45
And on top of that, there's water, trash pick up, vehicle upkeep, electric, natural gas, telephone, cable/HDTV, house/renter insurance, auto insurance, clothes, unknown repair work, ------------
How do kids now-a-days do it, and raise a family? Makes me wonder, and makes me happy I'm retired with no family to feed other than me and hubby and the "ho" and "Winston" our children "kitties"!!
PJ * Unknown * * craziequeen * * Granny * * Rosa * Ladybug Crossing * *
10 Comments:
You know it's getting harder all the time. I just got off the phone with our insurance company about the raise in our windstorm coverage. I ended up having to take a larger deductible just to afford the policy, which really is NOT affordable at all.
This was a good read, W1 I enjoyed it.
You know what, this is the time when kids like me are thinking, "wow, how did our parents do it?" and then realize that they probably did it just about the same way we do it. It kind of makes you appreciate your parents more, I think.
Although I'd have to say, I wonder every month, where in the world all our money goes. I'm just ready to be debt free soon, and go back into debt.
It's the american dream, to be in debt. :P
GREAT POST!!! 10 dollars an hour sounds so nice. GREAT comparisons of back then & today. Thank you!! I'm so glad you enjoy my work as much as I enjoy creating it! :o) That really means A LOT to me! :o)
I have ercently bought a pair of 'bootleg traditional jeans'....
I had a pair just like them 30 years ago - called 'flares'....
Same old stuff, new names - and three times the price....
cq
Inflation sucks...
Hey I'm one those kids earning minimum wage paying her own bills *waves hello*
Anyways because land it scarce in Singapore, our 2 room apartment will cost at least S$200,000. Let's not even talk about landed property... You get the gist.
I remember all those prices. The three cent stamp was around for years. Now it's .39.
Double that housing cost for much of California.
I remember getting paid about $400.00 dollars a month, and paying my rent and making a car payment and still having money for other stuff. I remember renting a 2 bedroom house for $50.00 a month.
Milk used to be delivered to the house in bottles, ice cream was a nickel. soda was a dime. I could go to the movies for a quarter, and this is when I was in High School. Now it's almost $9.oo just to get in. I love the good 'ole days! Wish I could live it over!
I find it amazing too. How did things get so expensive? It's just crazy. I really don't know how young families do it. I suppose that's why there's not as many stay-at-home moms any more. Both have to work, which I find sad. Love your blog!!
I don't know how my children are going to do it!! The average cost of a home around here is $600,000. That's something you can actually live in. If you go closer in to DC you can get a one bedroom condo for that.
I hope they decide to go to Law School so they can afford to make ends meet.
xo
LBC
I guess I'd be one of those kids! My husband and I both work full time (professional) jobs. Some months we barely manage to pay everything, but we do. We had some setbacks early on in our marriage with some extremely large medical bills (auto accident) and have never quite caught up. But we get by. Most of the time. And we're fortunate to have family to fall back on in times of emergency--alot of people don't even have that.
I like your blog! I'll be back for more...
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