Then and now: prices of popular items.
#15 Anyone want to buy a state?
In 1803 the United States bought Louisiana from France for 15 million dollars. Now, um, Louisiana isn't for sale, but if it was we're sure it'd cost more than 15 million dollars. In the good old days you could buy states, now we're just trying to buy dinner.
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15:
Anyone want to buy a state?
In 1803 the United States bought Louisiana from France for 15 million dollars. Now, um, Louisiana isn't for sale, but if it was we're sure it'd cost more than 15 million dollars. In the good old days you could buy states, now we're just trying to buy dinner.
14:
Let's play some games.
In 1950 you could buy yourself a board game for $0.30 and have fun for the rest of the decade. Now, well, does anyone even know what a board game is? Board games still do exist, but now the average one costs around $20.00. If we had to choose, we'd pay the thirty cents every time.
13:
More crackers please.
In 1950 a box of Ritz Crackers cost a cool $0.32. Now, a box will set you back $2.99. All it would take is going through your couch cushions to buy a box at thirty-two cents. Finding three dollars in your couch is a little tougher however.
12:
It's what's for dinner.
In 1930 steak cost $0.20 a pound. Now a pound of steak will run you $7.00, and that's for a basic cut. If we could get a pound of steak for twenty cents we'd buy three extra refrigerators and pack them full.
11:
We'll take five at that price.
In 1930 the average home cost around $7,000. Um, what? In 2010, the median price was $183,000. Basically, back in the 30's we could have bought twenty-three houses for the same price we can buy one today. Yeah, we know inflation plays a big part, but $7,000? That's out of control.
10:
Mail time!
In 1970 a first class stamp cost $0.06. Today it'll cost you $0.44 to send a letter first class. We can only wonder what's with the jump in price? Does it cost that much more to deliver an envelope now?
9:
Lay an egg.
Back in 1970 a dozen eggs cost $0.62. In 2012 a dozen eggs cost around $2.00. Is anyone else thinking about buying a few hens and never having to worry about paying for eggs again? Talk about a retirement fund that you can eat.
8:
Levis.
Levis started in the 1800's when gold fever struck San Francisco. The first pair of jeans cost $1.25. Now a pair of Levis start at $60.00 and only go higher. We feel they should at least put a nugget of gold in every pocket for that mark up.
7:
Vroom, Vroom.
In 1973 you could buy a brand new Corvette for the low price of five thousand dollars. If you want to buy a new Corvette today it'll run you around fifty thousand dollars. Seriously, can we move back to the seventies and bring our bank accounts with us?
6:
Soda pop.
In 1975 the average price of a can of Coca Cola was $.08. In 2010 the average price was $.89. It makes sense now why so many old people keep their pennies, they still think they can buy an ice cold pop with eight of them.
5:
It almost makes you want to quit.
Back in 1975 the average pack of cigarettes was $.40. In 2012, in California, the average pack costs $5.71. If the tobacco doesn't kill us at least we know the price will.
4:
Gas soars like a bird.
In 1973 the average price for a gallon of gas was $0.39. In 2012 the average price of gas came in at 3.71. If we lived in 1973 and only had to pay forty cents a gallon we'd drive all day long and never work. Or we'd just buy as much gas a we could and save it for a rainy day.
3:
Let's see a movie.
The average movie ticket in 1975 cost $2.95. Back then you could get three people in a movie for the price of one today, which is $7.93. At that price we'd just buy out the whole theater so we could put our feet up.
2:
Pride of the Yankees
In 1972 George Steinbrenner bought the New York Yankees for a little less than 9 million dollars. Even though he passed away a few years ago, his family still runs the club. It was reported to be valued anywhere in between two and three billion dollars in 2011. Talk about setting your kids up for success.
1:
The Happiest Place on Earth.
In January 1975 a share of Disney stock sold for ninety-four cents. In January 2012 a share of Disney stock sold for just under thirty-nine dollars. That's a smooth forty percent increase in thirty five years. Does anyone want to borrow our time machine and invest a few grand in Disney Corp.?
