re: Where does it end? The cost of everything

Incomes are up, consumer goods are cheap and plentiful, inflation is historically negligible. If you can’t thrive in the USA in 2018, you can’t thrive.

Imho, maybe too many people are chasing materialism and “ the great life “ as seen on tv and social media in the mistaken belief that better stuff will make them happy. Maybe a lot of these people would focus more on a life of meaning, rather than a life of conspicuous consumption. Live a bit more simply and push themselves in other ways through doing cool stuff, and having great relationships, instead of having great stuff. There is a certain satisfaction and self- respect that comes with living below your means.

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TVs are wayyyyyyy cheaper than they used to be.

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Basically all tech items are cheaper now than they used to be, and that's without factoring in inflation. Computers used to be stupid expensive. My parents paid almost $3k for a 456MHz Gateway desktop back in the 90s.

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live simply, you'll be much happier.

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So true. I overextended myself financially when I was in my 20s. It took me years to fix it. Never again.

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I overextended myself financially when I was in my 20s. It took me years to fix it. Never again.

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Consumerism is a terrible trap.

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trying to keep up with the Jones's

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Reminds me years ago when a priest had said during his sermon,”for those that like to keep up with the Jones’ they but $20 in the collection basket.”
True story.

The average hourly wage has nearly doubled in the last 20 years. The average cost for a gallon of gas was $4.11 in 2008 and is now $2.81. Used car prices are actually falling. The average price for a gallon of milk is actually cheaper now than it was in 2004.

Things are not remarkably higher than they were 10 years ago. High demand items, such as your new F-150 might be higher, but there are certainly cheaper alternatives. I suspect you just had to grow up and start paying bills in the last 20 years, which has lead to you thinking things are too expensive.

It’s unjustifiable IMO. We’re primed for an economic collapse.

I’m a Trump supporter and I’m thrilled about the economic success we’re experiencing, but what good is it when companies are using it as an excuse to gouge everyone. Those living off the government don’t GAF because it doesn’t impact them anyway.

It’s the middle class that’s suffering.

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what good is it when companies are using it as an excuse to gouge everyone. Those living off the government don’t GAF because it doesn’t impact them anyway.

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The opposite is happening. Wages are rising over the CPI more now than they have in quite a while.

And that wasn’t even a King Ranch.

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Perhaps at the moment but they’ll have to ride significantly to get us back to the quality of life one could experience in the 50s/60s on a single income.

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It was a different world back then. The country looked completely different. That's never going to happen again.