The cost of living......

[jinman]

Heck, you can buy throw-away phones at a convenience store. They're just like BIC cigarette lighters. Soon they'll start littering the sides of the road with them. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[TerryinMD]

Ok... Ok... Looks like the thread is wandering on both sides of the original question.

The things that affect us the most are going up - insurances, food costs, fuel, etc. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

The things that do not affect us for the most part are going down - electronics, hardware, tools, and a few other things. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

However, I think that the net is that we are in an inflationary time and for some reason no one is really paying attention to it. Well, at least some aren't - like the media unless they want to bash (keep in mind that both sides are guilty when apppropriate). I'm trying to avoid politics as much as possible within this thread. Usually leads to flaming, etc.

The original posting was due to an epiphany of sorts. The CFO was signaling the issue and it really came to a head during the past few weeks. Since it is the beginning of the year, some costs are as noticable until you begin to compare costs from the previous year. With companies having their usual open-season for chosing bennies, you really don't see the net until you get into the year.

As for people who maintain businesses and pay for their own insurance or have a few people employed, I do understand their plight. I know for our small business costs have risen and we have to pass along those costs to the consumer. Just the way it is.... sadly.

Everyone is re-enforcing what I already knew, but just needed to get a sanity check.

Thank you for responses and time.

Terry

 

[jinman]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The original posting was due to an epiphany of sorts. The CFO was signaling the issue and it really came to a head during the past few weeks. )</font>

Okay, Terry. I admit playing the "devil's advocate" here if you 'll admit doing a little hand-wringing. I think you are a little overwrought about inflation because I believe rampant consumerism is responsible for basic laws of supply and demand coming into play.

How many square feet are in most new houses? How many cars do you own? How many tractors, riding mowers, pickup truck....? Do your kids go to school in a building that was the same school building you went to? ...your parents went to?

I just believe that inflation is fed by the laws of economics and our unbridled use of credit and consumerism is responsible for most of it. ...and the way to keep government spending in check is through the ballot box.

...and food. Have you seen lately the news about our becoming a nation of obesity to the point that it's becoming a real and threatening killer? /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

I do know that I'm very spoiled and also very happy with my life, so this is not meant to be a "grinch." /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[B7500]

Terry and all..
You guys are so right about the cost of everything. I feel bad for the people on fixed incomes. I simply don't know how they cope. Still, I try and keep things in perspective. This is still by far the richest, most beautiful, most powerful country on earth.
I honest to God thank my lucky stars I live here. Maybe it was the travel to other countries I experienced in the service or maybe it's just watching the news every night but you'd have to be blind not to notice how good we have it compared to everyone else.
Please, I am condoning the greed; waste and stupidity of some of our leaders I just really appreciate how good I have it.
-Terry

 

[ljh2]

You buy insurance to keep from loosing your back-side big-time in the event of disaster... but you loose your back-side all along paying today's premiums. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif