How much is that in candy bars?

[Speck Tater]

When I was a kid back in the early 50's a candy bar cost a nickel. Today the same candy bar costs 79 cents most places, although you can get them cheaper in bulk.

But using the ordinary retail price of a single candy bar as the yardstick, how have prices really changed in the last half century?

The average house back then cost around 180,000 candy bars. Today's average house costs almost exactly the same.

A top of the line TV set back then cost around 5,000 candy bars. Today a good TV set can be picked up for a mere 400 or 500 candy bars.

In 1955 a paperback novel cost between 5 and 7 candy bars. Today's paperback novel costs a little more at between 8 and 9 candy bars.

A loaf of bread used to cost 5 candy bars, but only costs 4 candy bars today.

A gallon of gas was also 5 candy bars, but can be bought today for the bargain price of 2.5 candy bars, half it's 1955 cost, in spite of recent "high" prices.

I remember getting into the movies for the price of 4 candy bars. Today the bargain show costs 6 or 7 candy bars at least.

On the other hand, a computer which used to cost hundreds of millions of candy bars can be had for under a thousand candy bars today.

[sandnsea]

1. Wages

Back in 1964, an hour of labor at minimum wage would buy you 25 candy bars. Today, an hour of labor at minimum wage will buy you 6.5 candy bars. Kids looking for work this summer should just go to their bosses and say "I just want to earn 25 candy bars an hour, like you did!" hehe

Candy bars is one of the things that I have noticed has gone up in price the most, so I'm not entirely sure it's the best measurement of cost of living. But it's interesting, just the same.

[notbush]

2. It all depends on where you buy your candy bars

In 1965, in the middle of Kansas.....I was paying 10 cents....Min. wage was what?
Today I buy'm 4 for a dollar at the local Dillons, Min. wage is what???
Things aren't that much different, unless you wanted to buy a computer in the 50's...with candy bars.
Kansas today, 25 candy bars an hour today = $6.25.
Where do you shop?

[sandnsea]

3. I was paying a nickle

Besides, I was using the guys formula and he's right, candy bars are usually 79 cents. He wasn't trying to compare regular prices then and sales prices now. That's not even rational.

What is it about the fact that wages haven't kept up over the last 40 years that upsets you so much?

[notbush]

4. If you're paying 79 cents for candy bars today

you're probably paying $1.19 for twinkies......
Are you paying $1.29 for a 20 oz. pop?
I'm paying 79cents for a 2 liter bottle.
One of the big differences between 1960 and today is competition.
As a kid growing up in the 60's nearly every retailer charged the same price for everyday products.(price fixing?)
Today you can pay $4 for a case of coke (discounter) or $6 or $8 at a retailer not running pop as a loss leader.
I can buy 25 cent or 33 cent candy bars every day of the week.If you let yourself be taken advantage of by the big oil companies at their stores you'll pay 79 cents.
If you shop at convenience stores for pop, candy, eggs, or milk, you are stupid. If you take advantage of the free market and buy your products where they are the cheapest, you will save a few bucks.
No not a few, MANY BUCKS.

[sandnsea]

5. Totally not the issue

Like I said, comparing sale prices today to regular prices in 1964 is not rational. I don't buy candy bars, or Twinkies or pop. But I know what they cost when I walk into the Safeway, 79 cents, unless they're on sale. They had sales in the 60's too, that's not the point of the post.

Again, what is it about the fact that wages haven't kept up with the cost of living that upsets you so much?