Eight to Tenfold Theory

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You know, the vast majority of the Wisdom I claim is received through the Thought Dock and taken from a variety of outside sources, including some of you. But every now and then, I can make logical conclusions myself simply by reflecting back to Those Days and comparing the then with the now.

Yesterday, while shopping for furniture and such in the bigger city of Central Oregon, I was able to recall from memory, the costs of some basic goods and wages from 40 years ago, and compare them to today. From those observations, I have come to what I see as a logical conclusion, which I call my Eight to Tenfold Theory. Keep in mind folks that this was not based on rocket science, nor was it conducted by some squint that received funding from the federal government. It simply involved my observations over several hours, and some time at the Thought Dock.

In 1969, I ordered direct from the factory, a brand new Ford Pinto, which was an entry level car similar to today's Honda Civic. The Pinto was priced at $2100 out the door, Non-branded gasoline was 35 cents a gallon, milk 69 cents a gallon, and a basic fast food taco was 15 cents. A single nights stay in the hospital for my wife to deliver our firstborn cost $700. A room at Motel 6 was $10, as was a carton of cigarettes. A starter home in the high desert of California sold for 15k, school lunches were a quarter, and my children's bunk bed cost $700. A portable color television was about $500, and a draft beer at a sleezybar was 25 cents. And air travel by anyone in my peer group was almost unheard of.

Now, at the same time period, I had an unskilled assembler job at a union factory and made 10k a year with a little overtime, and a boot cop, or a school teacher made just a tad bit less.

So, here is my point. We all complain about how difficult it is to survive in today's economics. But by comparison, life today is far better, and easier than it was in Those Days. Look at entry level union wages in SoCal today and you'll find that they have increased 8-10 times, across the board, from what they were 40 years ago. And so has durable goods.

A Honda Civic costs about 15K, gas about $2.80 a gallon, tacos are less than a buck, a cheap hotel room is $80, that starter home I once owned is now worth about a 100k, and a cold beer at a pub is $2.50. And many things that we all think are outrageously priced are actually cheaper today than 40 years ago. Televisions, bunk beads, milk, and cigarettes are evident of that. And air travel is quite common for most every one these days.

Yeah, I know, you must think I've smoked my socks. Actually, I quit smoking almost a year ago. Hurrah for me!! Now, I know most every complains about their struggle to survive these days. But they do it. And although they struggle, they do it in comfort. Air conditioning everywhere, more toys for the kids, nicer and larger homes, and more dining out.

So, although I complain often, I do so to try to make things even better than they are. Because it could be better. But, life is wonderful, and at the Thought Dock, is better and easier than it ever has been.
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