Posted on 08/11/2008 7:17:45 AM PDT by shrinkermd
The difference is that today, we drive much more than we did in the early 60s.”
NOT ME...I drove about 35,000 miles a year in the early 60’s. Attended a drag race every weekend but one. Drove a car that got about 16 MPG, and altho I didn’t make much money then, I could afford the gas just fine. Car payment on a Pontiac Wagon was $99.64/month and insurance was reasonable if you didn’t have a bad driving record.
Now, I am trying to be retired. Gas is hanging around $4 a gallon and I dont drive 5000 miles a year in 2 vehicles.
My income-gross-on soc sec is about twice as much as my gross earnings then, but my insurance alone is waaaaay up. I have had 2 moving tickets in my life—1957 and 1981. Fully 1/3 of my premium monthly is for “uninsured motorists”, which is double speak PC for ILLEGAL INTRUDERS. In the 60’s, it cost me $1 a month for coverage against uninsured motorists...now that is closer to $35 a month. That is an alarming increase. 3500% increase. Food is higher, also due to fuel prices.
Eating out even once a month is gone, and I consolidate trips as tho I were a big-rig dispatcher for a major freight company.
Harder and harder for those of us who worked all our lives —17 to current(69)—and are feeling trapped.
Beyond making large purchases and no longer need clothes for work standards imposed by employers. Live where there is no state income tax. Sold larger house and down-sized.
I graduated in 1957. I remember things the same way you do. Then I was 18 and had a uned car that was 6 months old (owner got drafted). My insurance cost was $52 for 6 months.
It’s not just talking about inflation but as a % of your budget. Cars now are much more effecient and safe than in the 60s as well. You can easily get a car over 30 mpg today in a much bigger vehicle than the ones back then got that were that small.
I'm getting daily visions of Charlton Heston in the ape movie.
It's a mad house.
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