I certainly agree with ingomike about additional costs with extra curricular activities. I think conspicuous consumption is becoming a lesser factor in family economics. It is a shame when basic life is hard to maintain, but that is appearing to be the case.
My friend once said, that his dad was a trade electrician, and his mother never worked outside. They lived in a newly built nice house, traded for a new car every 2nd or 3rd year, and managed a couple weeks of a traveling vacation. My friend has the same job in the same area, his wife works part time as a nurse between raising kids. They can have a lesser quality home, drive 10 year old cars, and seldom go anywhere for vacation.
The government is stealing the fruits of the labor. Take home pay is far less, Sales tax is over double, taxes added to every aspect of life that did not even exist 50 years ago. Gross money mishandling by the Government entities that have devalued the buying power of what is left for the wage earner.
This administration downplays inflation, but I have a list of routine food items I buy at least twice a month. For years, it was $65 to $70, depending on sales and coupons. Now that same list has been $100. for the last 6 months. Filling the car is about 50% higher. My medical costs for the same procedures have doubled since two years ago. Housing in any area where there is not daily violent crime has close to doubled. If that is not more inflation pressure on families, I don't what is.
My friend once said, that his dad was a trade electrician, and his mother never worked outside. They lived in a newly built nice house, traded for a new car every 2nd or 3rd year, and managed a couple weeks of a traveling vacation. My friend has the same job in the same area, his wife works part time as a nurse between raising kids. They can have a lesser quality home, drive 10 year old cars, and seldom go anywhere for vacation.
The government is stealing the fruits of the labor. Take home pay is far less, Sales tax is over double, taxes added to every aspect of life that did not even exist 50 years ago. Gross money mishandling by the Government entities that have devalued the buying power of what is left for the wage earner.
This administration downplays inflation, but I have a list of routine food items I buy at least twice a month. For years, it was $65 to $70, depending on sales and coupons. Now that same list has been $100. for the last 6 months. Filling the car is about 50% higher. My medical costs for the same procedures have doubled since two years ago. Housing in any area where there is not daily violent crime has close to doubled. If that is not more inflation pressure on families, I don't what is.
