He owned two cars. Well, three at one time, but he restored one and sold it off. Yes to both washer and dryer. Dishwasher...well, I was the dishwasher. And “grounds maintenance”. House had central air and heating, and it was 1550 sq.ft. With attached garage.
I honestly don’t know how many hours we would’ve worked in the 70s for a washer and dryer. I know he NEVER used credit cards.....he despised them, and always paid cash, and always negotiated prices, like when the central air and heat was installed. He managed to negotiate a 15% reduction in the price....he had the gift of gab I guess. :) He didn’t replace things too often, like the TV. We had the same TV set for 18 years as I recall. He also performed all of his own auto maintenance, as well as pretty much all the construction around the house (he had a knack for building things, as well as being something of an electrician). He was also a very good hunter, so I grew up eating venison until it was coming out my ears, LOL.
But he and my mother loved travel, and I inherited the sand in my shoes from them, I’d say.
In other words, your father worked "harder" to buy that washer for your mom in the 1970's. Boudreaux argues that it is an example of how living standards have increased. It's really not that controversial of an argument, and he provides the numbers. If people feel differently than I agree, they have a problem.