I can buy A TV a VCR or a computer for much less now.
Yes, Cars and Houses are more expensive but many other things are much cheaper.
Right - so on balance we're worse off because the expense of the "Expensive items" has gone through the roof, while the "cheap" items have gotten a little cheaper. That would be the difference between the local market and the foreign market. While Our wages collapse, property and transportation are being inflated... right out of our reach.