Interesting Thought

[Rush]

In 1975, my father worked for a grocery store called almacs making 4.75 an hour. He and I have small talks every now and again about how kids today, like myself, are always playing games on the computer or xbox instead of going out every night, and continuing with interests he and his friends had like fixing cars. He then told me how he would always be out seing a movie or something with his friends. I asked how much he made back then and he told me $4.75 which is good for a 17 year old in 1975 considering that minimum wage was about $2, but he told me that several people he went to school with had similar salaries. Now $4.75 isn't that great now but in 1975, that meant that after working for 1 hour, he could buy a movie ticket(Which was only $2 then), buy an album, get a gallon of gas, and still have more money since he would work multiple hours. Because of this he was able to save his money up to buy a brand new mustang and customize it. Today minimum wage in my state is $7.40, and I get payed 7.95 because I've been working at the same place for a year. After one hour, I can barely buy 2 gallons of gas, I can't even get enough for a movie ticket, and I can't buy an album on iTunes, which is about $10. This led me to believe that the real reason people are lazy and don't do anything social anymore has a lot to do with the rate of inflation, and the fact that prices are completely ridiculous on things which used to be routine purchases by kids my age.

Pulled from Reddit, thoughts?

 

[nickofypres]

WTF? Dude got a .55 cent raise for working at his job for only a year?

I've been working at my job for 5 years next week I've only gotten a 10 cent raise.

FML.

 

[Crystallas]

Because people are lazy? LOL....

Everything is true, but the author putting this 2 and 2 together, does not equal the real reasoning behind the loss of value.

90% of it, is that producing goods create wealth, while providing services redistribute wealth. In 1975, we produced far more, per scale, than we do now. It's to the point that the newer generations have little idea, as far as what producing goods is, but, they are well aware of, and desire positions that provide services.

 

[cubsneedmiracle]

Pretty much.

 

[Jysen]

Theres a vast difference to even a mere decade or so ago. In the late 90s, what I made vs prices shows that in todays economy, like many, are getting fucked. Back then, I made the same an hour as I do currently. Yet I could buy a movie ticket, couple gallens of gas, and had money left over. At 11.85, I didnt flinch at spending 400 on the PS2 launch date, or dropping 800 for a then, big ass 35 inch tv. Today, I crinch and sigh as I look at a 600 50inch tv. No PS3, nor a pc. Its fucking depressing.

 

[poodski]

There's a reason why mom and pops grocery stores that paid employees 237.5% of the minimum wage are no longer here and giant conglomerates like Wal-Mart that pay employees minimum wage are thriving.

Inflation has a bit to do with it, but so does companies getting smarter and being more economical and the fact we are in a recession.

Right now for most people you take the job you can get.

 

[beardown28]

Fuckin communism.

 

[thedude33]

Yeah, there's a too many things I don't do or buy because I just can't afford. Not too long ago that wasn't the case. There seems to be enough people buying shit, though. Companies are making record profits.

 

[Rick]

It's sad and it's only going to get worse. Retirement is going to be extinct. I've already come to terms with the fact that I'll be working until I'm dead.

 

[dabynsky]

The little recovery we have experienced so far has not been shared equally. The wealthiest in this country have enjoyed most of it, and the gap between the wealthiest Americans and the middle class has only increased the past couple of years.

 

[X]

I disagree w/ most of everything in this thread.

I think the biggest reason that we can't have the little pleasures our parents/grandparents had is b/c we don't remember what we do get...no one I know has any idea how to save money. We have to have the new phones, new games, big vehicles, big lunches, and the best of everything. **** that. I save money. I'm making $25,000/year, my wife is making $14,000, have student loans we're paying on, rent, car insurance...all the bills, all that jazz. I've still got $6,000 in the bank. And my parents, nor my wife's parents, are rich by any means.

Save some fucking money. Quit buying shit w/ credit cards. Have the money in hand to pay for your shit, and it's not a problem.

 

[nwfisch]

X is on the money as usual. Saved $5000 already :marshmallow:

 

[Popinski Soda]

X is on the money as usual. Saved $5000 already :marshmallow:

Since he posted it? Wow, that's impressive. :hi5:

I disagree w/ most of everything in this thread.

I think the biggest reason that we can't have the little pleasures our parents/grandparents had is b/c we don't remember what we do get...no one I know has any idea how to save money. We have to have the new phones, new games, big vehicles, big lunches, and the best of everything. **** that. I save money. I'm making $25,000/year, my wife is making $14,000, have student loans we're paying on, rent, car insurance...all the bills, all that jazz. I've still got $6,000 in the bank. And my parents, nor my wife's parents, are rich by any means.

Save some fucking money. Quit buying shit w/ credit cards. Have the money in hand to pay for your shit, and it's not a problem.

I've found that keeping actual money on hand helps me to save more. It seems like physically seeing the money leave my hand makes me more aware of my spending, helping keep it in check, versus just handing some lackey a peice of plastic (no offense to all you lackeys out there ).


J

 

[nickofypres]

Save some fucking money. Quit buying shit w/ credit cards.

This.

 

[Jysen]

For the record,
I refuse to ever use a credit card.
My phone is beyond outdated.
I own a PS2, and a Wii I got for X-Mas.
Since last July, I spent $35 for 3 games for the Wii.
Saving is relatively easy, the problem is, something always comes up to **** us over. I was inches from getting a pc with my tax return, which isn't much by the way. Then the damn water pump blew, along with the intake gasket I believe. Bye bye pc

It's easy to say save dat money, but in reality, more often than not, the costs of general living outweighs what a person makes.

I'm not saying I'm beyond broke. I'm single, no kids, and currently a bit over 2k in the bank. But as the month progresses, so does the various bills. Phone, Cable, Electric, etc..

I'm not bitching to be honest, but again, somethings are easier said than done when there are multiple factors in the way. Not to mention I need to get my car in for some other shit now too.

So it's not always a matter of save that money, it's a matter of hanging onto it before something comes along in an unexpected cost and takes it away.

But thats just my opinion, I could be wrong.

 

[Jysen]

But I do completely agree with X's opinion on enjoying what we do have. To many go after shit they cant afford. Not to mention I work with quite a few that ***** theyre broke, but seem to miss work a lot. So theres the lazy factor. Another oddity imo, is there are positions that make far more money, yet those in those positions feel the need to spend more than needed just to spend. Dont ge me wrong, thats all nice as you cant take it with you when your dead, but completely irresponsible to not save some.

 

[poodski]

I disagree w/ most of everything in this thread.

I think the biggest reason that we can't have the little pleasures our parents/grandparents had is b/c we don't remember what we do get...no one I know has any idea how to save money. We have to have the new phones, new games, big vehicles, big lunches, and the best of everything. **** that. I save money. I'm making $25,000/year, my wife is making $14,000, have student loans we're paying on, rent, car insurance...all the bills, all that jazz. I've still got $6,000 in the bank. And my parents, nor my wife's parents, are rich by any means.

Save some fucking money. Quit buying shit w/ credit cards. Have the money in hand to pay for your shit, and it's not a problem.

Hey can I borrow 60 bucks to go but NCAA 12?

Seriously though that's pretty impressive.

 

[cubsneedmiracle]

For the record,
I refuse to ever use a credit card.
My phone is beyond outdated.
I own a PS2, and a Wii I got for X-Mas.
Since last July, I spent $35 for 3 games for the Wii.
Saving is relatively easy, the problem is, something always comes up to **** us over. I was inches from getting a pc with my tax return, which isn't much by the way. Then the damn water pump blew, along with the intake gasket I believe. Bye bye pc

It's easy to say save dat money, but in reality, more often than not, the costs of general living outweighs what a person makes.

I'm not saying I'm beyond broke. I'm single, no kids, and currently a bit over 2k in the bank. But as the month progresses, so does the various bills. Phone, Cable, Electric, etc..

I'm not bitching to be honest, but again, somethings are easier said than done when there are multiple factors in the way. Not to mention I need to get my car in for some other shit now too.

So it's not always a matter of save that money, it's a matter of hanging onto it before something comes along in an unexpected cost and takes it away.

But thats just my opinion, I could be wrong.

You aren't wrong at all.

 

[Iwritecode]

Pulled from Reddit, thoughts?

When I hear people talk about how kids today are fat and lazy and do nothing but sit in front of the computer all day I usually think of kids under 16. The ones that aren't old enough to hold a job and/or drive anywhere. Yes, they probably spend more time inside than outside compared to kids 30-40 years ago but that because kids back then didn't have what kids have today. Back in 1975 there was no laptop computer or Xbox or 500 channels on TV.

I do agree that kids should get outside more than they do but I don't think we can blame rising costs.

When I was a kid and was finally old enough to have a job I spent a lot more time going out with my friends. Mostly because I had a car and some money from my part-time job making minimum wage (around $4/hour IIRC). Even then gas was $1/gallon and movie tickets were about $3 or so. This was the early 90's.

Even at 7.95/hour if you work 25 hours that's almost $200. Take out taxes and you still clear $160 for a week. At 17 what the hell other responsiblities do you have besides putting gas in your car and going out with your friends?

 

[Iwritecode]

For the record,
I refuse to ever use a credit card.
My phone is beyond outdated.
I own a PS2, and a Wii I got for X-Mas.
Since last July, I spent $35 for 3 games for the Wii.
Saving is relatively easy, the problem is, something always comes up to **** us over. I was inches from getting a pc with my tax return, which isn't much by the way. Then the damn water pump blew, along with the intake gasket I believe. Bye bye pc

It's easy to say save dat money, but in reality, more often than not, the costs of general living outweighs what a person makes.

I'm not saying I'm beyond broke. I'm single, no kids, and currently a bit over 2k in the bank. But as the month progresses, so does the various bills. Phone, Cable, Electric, etc..

I'm not bitching to be honest, but again, somethings are easier said than done when there are multiple factors in the way. Not to mention I need to get my car in for some other shit now too.

So it's not always a matter of save that money, it's a matter of hanging onto it before something comes along in an unexpected cost and takes it away.

But thats just my opinion, I could be wrong.

That's pretty much how life happens.

We are still trying to dig out of the debt we racked up when my wife was out of work for 9 months. That was over 5 years ago. Then I was out for 6 months at the end of 2009.

We are doing better now but things keep popping up that makes it difficult to get ahead. In September we will finally pay off the loan we had to take out when I blew the engine in my car that we just paid off 2 months prior.

We are still paying on the new roof we had to put on our house earlier this year and the new fence we had to put up because the old one fell over and our neighbor called the city on us about it.