[delacoert]

In 1950, a gallon of regular gasoline sold for about 30 cents; today, it's $2.50.

Some corrections:

1. A gallon of regular gasoline sold for 30 cents in 1964.
2. Today it's about $3.00.

   Using MY trusty inflation calculator, what cost 30 cents in 1964 costs $1.81 in 2005. In real terms, that means gasoline prices today are significantly higher, about 66 percent, than in 1964.

A couple of other points:

1. The annual profits of oil companies today relative to those in 1964 (or 1950) is more relevant comparison.
2. The portion of our household budget that we are prepared to pay today relative to the proportion of our household budget in 1964 is also a relevant number.

What the hell motivate economists to try to tell us we really aren't paying more?

[RegulatorCountry]

"Using MY trusty inflation calculator, what cost 30 cents in 1964 costs $1.81 in 2005"

And what is so significant about 1964, other than conveniently supporting your contention? Want to try 1980?

[Tallguy]

The old inflation rule-of-thumb (circa 1980) was that consumer prices doubled every 7 years. Inflation was a significant factor in from 1965 through 1979, so that multiplier effect is probably high when you factor in the relatively low inflation years since then.

It gets really crazy when you try to put a value on products that didn't exist, or are radically different than they were 40 years ago. Compare a 2005 Lexus with a 1964 Coup De Ville. Both are cars, but a price comparison is practically meaningless.

[3niner]

So gasoline prices have fluctuated of over the last few decades, and they are relatively high, right now. So what? Get over it.

If you think gasoline costs too much, use less of it.

When I was poor, and gasoline was expensive (back in '75), I drove a beetle (infrequently), worked in a filling station (where I got a discount), lived close to work and school, and rode my bike a lot.

Here are some suggestions for you. Stop commuting in an SUV. Quit driving 30 miles at the drop of a hat. Maybe you should try the bus.