A Russian man went to the newsstand every day, purchased the day's paper, scanned the front page and then tossed the paper aside. The Vendor, after several days of seeing this, said "Why do you come every day and buy the paper just to toss it away?" The man replied, "I'm looking for an Obituary." The Vendor said, "The Obituaries are not on the front page." The man replied, "This one will be."
1968 federal minimum wage $1.60/hr (before payroll deductions) = $13.04/hr today 1968 real minimum wage about $1.00/hr (with no deductions) = $8.15 today
1968 cheapest gasoline in San Jose 27.7 cents/gallon = $2.26/gallon (with double trading stamps and a free glass with each fill-up) Current pump price for regular gas at Fresno Costco: $5.09 (not including member discount)
In 1968 average auto gas mileage was about 12 mpg; today it is easy to get 30 mpg, average about 28 mpg. If one wishes to drive a gas hog or in ways that waste gasoline, that’s their choice. Freedom, you know.
So, in 1968 an hour’s work at federal minimum wage (I should have been so lucky) would buy 5.75 gallons of gasoline, ignoring payroll deductions and trading stamps. That 5.75 gallons would propel a car for about 70 miles on average.
Current California minimum wage = $13/hr. That $13 will currently buy about 2.5 gallons of regular gasoline, which at 28 mpg will propel an average car for about 70 miles.
Yep, times sure are hard compared to the old days. And the last time I checked (before recent increases) the real price of groceries was about a third as much as back around 1970, if one bought the same things. People didn't drive as much, didn't buy "recreational vehicles" to go camping, and didn't buy near as much partially prepared food at the grocery store. Nobody to speak of took ocean cruises.
It was a terrible day for Ukraine, with shelling just 9.5 miles (15km) from Poland! Think how far 9.5 miles is from your house. For me, it doesn't even get me to Burlington...15 miles away...! If a missile hit 9.5 miles from here, it would take out my old dentist's office.
So what happens if the Russians screw up and hit Poland?
U.S. Won’t Negotiate with Russia to Save Iran Nuclear Deal [Click] Would negotiate a new deal without Russia.
ReplyDeleteDrive Slow for America [Click] I looked for a bumper sticker with that legend; didn’t find one, but did find
ReplyDelete“Old Fart at Wheel
All I Pass is Gas!”
Not mine, but too good not to share:
ReplyDeleteA Russian man went to the newsstand every day, purchased the day's paper, scanned the front page and then tossed the paper aside. The Vendor, after several days of seeing this, said "Why do you come every day and buy the paper just to toss it away?" The man replied, "I'm looking for an Obituary." The Vendor said, "The Obituaries are not on the front page." The man replied, "This one will be."
Oh, Lordy--that IS a good 'un. Sounds like it could be from Russia. Thanks, Susan.
Delete😆👍
DeleteUS inflation calculator 1968-2022 = 8.15
ReplyDelete1968 federal minimum wage $1.60/hr (before payroll deductions) = $13.04/hr today
1968 real minimum wage about $1.00/hr (with no deductions) = $8.15 today
1968 cheapest gasoline in San Jose 27.7 cents/gallon = $2.26/gallon
(with double trading stamps and a free glass with each fill-up)
Current pump price for regular gas at Fresno Costco: $5.09 (not including member discount)
In 1968 average auto gas mileage was about 12 mpg; today it is easy to get 30 mpg, average about 28 mpg. If one wishes to drive a gas hog or in ways that waste gasoline, that’s their choice. Freedom, you know.
So, in 1968 an hour’s work at federal minimum wage (I should have been so lucky) would buy 5.75 gallons of gasoline, ignoring payroll deductions and trading stamps. That 5.75 gallons would propel a car for about 70 miles on average.
Current California minimum wage = $13/hr. That $13 will currently buy about 2.5 gallons of regular gasoline, which at 28 mpg will propel an average car for about 70 miles.
Yep, times sure are hard compared to the old days. And the last time I checked (before recent increases) the real price of groceries was about a third as much as back around 1970, if one bought the same things. People didn't drive as much, didn't buy "recreational vehicles" to go camping, and didn't buy near as much partially prepared food at the grocery store. Nobody to speak of took ocean cruises.
Wow, that's impressive.
DeleteI find it surprising, but have calculated it repeatedly and it continues coming out the same.
DeleteUkraine’s pro-Russian monasteries draw local suspicion [Click]
ReplyDeleteRussian Orthodox church in Amsterdam announces split with Moscow [Click]
Russia asked China for military and economic aid for war in Ukraine, US officials say [Click]
ReplyDeleteUkrainian Army knocks out 200 Russian armored vehicles heading into Melitopol [Click] Good news if true, certainly. Report not completely clear.
ReplyDeleteIt was a terrible day for Ukraine, with shelling just 9.5 miles (15km) from Poland! Think how far 9.5 miles is from your house. For me, it doesn't even get me to Burlington...15 miles away...! If a missile hit 9.5 miles from here, it would take out my old dentist's office.
ReplyDeleteSo what happens if the Russians screw up and hit Poland?
We are dangerously close to WWIII.
I continue to hope Francis Fukuyama has it about right.
Delete