costs over time

[bach4660]

It was wondering today while I was pumping gas into my 1950 B2D what gas cost in 1950 and I found a figure of .22 cents per gallon.

So if my truck was $1400 in 1950, but instead of buying the truck I just bought $1400 of gas which is about 6000 gallons that 6000 gallon tank would have a value of $40,000 (our gas is $6.42 per gallon) today.

I would still choose the truck, and driving over the gas but thinking maybe I should put a gas station sized tank under my backyard.

[Los_Control]

Sadly that kind of thinking will send you to the funny farm.

 

I remember when Grandpa filled all his gas tanks in his junk yard. What a mess for others to clear out .. That was in the 70's ... Gas has a shelf life.

 I personally steer clear of any price calculations I spend on my project truck  ... not really what it is about ... I would go crazy if I kept track of monies spent on it.

 

Cheapest I remember gas was 36 cents a gallon ... it quickly jumped over a dollar and never went back down. Storing todays crap gas is the least favorite thing I have on my to-do list.

[1950 Special Deluxe]

When I was just getting into motorcycles, I was 14. In Canada $6.00 could fill a 5 gallon (Imperial) gas can or buy 12 beer. We think we have tough decisions to make now. 

[Frank Elder]

14 minutes ago, 1950 Special Deluxe said:

When I was just getting into motorcycles, I was 14. In Canada $6.00 could fill a 5 gallon (Imperial) gas can or buy 12 beer. We think we have tough decisions to make now. 

Here is an even worse decision @1950 Special Deluxe........6 pack of good beer or a 24 of ice cold crappy beer.....lol.

[1950 Special Deluxe]

Touché 

it used to be illegal to sell/buy alcohol in Saskatchewan on Sundays. 
We paid good money for beer on Sundays, cold was optional. 
my one buddies dad loved to sell us his crappy beer at full cost. 

[Sniper]

33 minutes ago, Frank Elder said:

6 pack of good beer or a 24 of ice cold crappy beer

 

As a sailor I can definitely stated that after about 3 or 4 beers, varies with the individual, they all start tasting the same.  So I drink a few good ones then follow up with the crappy ones.

[keithb7]

I look at it this way: (It helps my little pea brain grasp the subject of inflation)

 

In 1940, say you spent a $1,000 on a brand new Desoto car. Good choice!

 

What if you put that $1000 in an envelope in 1940? You hid it under a mattress, and you pulled it out today, it's still only $1000. You wont get much for it compared to 1940.

 

Suppose for example, back in 1940 you put that $1000 into the hands of a trusted investor. He worked that money buying stocks and bonds. Mutual funds. Whatever.

Even if some years you saw a lousy rate of investment growth, that original $1000 should now be worth the price of a brand new car today. Give or take a little.

 

In the original example the 1950 truck was $1400. Can you get a new truck today for $60,000? The value that was pegged as today's fuel prices in post 1 above.  I'd say yes, you can get a new truck for $60,000. 2 wheel drive. Basic truck with few options. Still, it's going to be way more plush than a 1950.

 

Hiding cash in a mattress, does little good. Unless the apocalypse arrives. So far that hasn't happened. 

 

 

Edited July 3, 2021 by keithb7

[plymouthcranbrook]

I am so old I can almost remember when a dollar was worth a dime.

[RobertKB]

I remember buying Dubble Bubble for 1 cent/piece. We’re talking late 50’s/early 60’s. I was super mad when if doubled in price to 2 cents. Not sure what it costs today. I haven’t chewed gum in decades, probably close to 60 years. 

[MackTheFinger]

2 hours ago, RobertKB said:

Dubble Bubble

Uh-oh!!

 

 

[Frank Elder]

18 hours ago, Sniper said:

 

As a sailor I can definitely stated that after about 3 or 4 beers, varies with the individual, they all start tasting the same.  So I drink a few good ones then follow up with the crappy ones.

Yes indeed, I have used this many times....lol.

[Frank Elder]

@Sniperdid your onshore barracks have beer machines in them? 40 cents a can, it could be michelob or miller beer or pbr depending on what was left over at the E club.

[Sniper]

Yes it did, $1 a can if I remember right.  Which was probably $0.75 more than it was worth, lol.

[wallytoo]

18 hours ago, keithb7 said:

Hiding cash in a mattress, does little good. Unless the apocalypse arrives. So far that hasn't happened. 

 

 

 

i turn a fair bit of my cash into other assets, especially lead encased in brass.  so far, it has been a pretty good investment, and it is apocalypse-ready.