Household Appliances Were Cheaper 40 Years Ago—We're Getting Ripped Off

Well, thanks to the folks my parents age, the economy is epically fucked up. The minimum wage went up by about 500% since the 70's in California, but the cost of small, repeat goods went up even more. Sales tax in California has doubled. The cost of appliances has been around a 500% increase as well, but they don't last as long. Homes have also increased by similar rate in California. My parents bought their home for top dollar of 300k in the late 70's. It was appraised at 1.2m before the renovations i did for them.

The biggest problem is with only going off of minimum wage, though. You were more likely to get a raise and bonuses in the 70's. It was unlikely to stay at minimum wage for many years. Now, it is hard as hell to get a raise without 10 Doctorates and even when you do get a raise, it is usually 10-25 cents and after years and years of service. A 25cent raise in California with my income taxe rate is only $60 extra a month for a full time job.

The pdoblem isn't prices, they mostly went up proportionately. The problem is taxes and wages combined with modern products designed not to last very long on purpose.

I wish my bosses would allow me to work 12-15 hour shifts, so I could do a better job and get more done, but apparently Home Depot doesn't make enough to pay a low income employee overtime. So, it isn't even the lroducts and taxes, it's the employers being greedier than before. Home Depot used to let people do overtime, within reason, but they stopped when everyone else did. You can actually get fired from Safeway for being 5 minutes overtime.....

I just do not understand how a country that once wanted more people to work and support them became a country that thinks working is a privelage and we should beg for every hour we can get.

If the economy was like it was back in the 60's and 70's this group wouldnt even exist because we wouldn't be so worried with the longevity of our purchases because everything would be made to last lomger and pur dollars would go further.

Sorry for the rant. I'm just getting tired of living in a world where people would rather die bevause they no longer have the chance to live due to rectangular papers and circular metals.

/r/BuyItForLife Thread Link - nationaleconomicseditorial.com