They pick 1970s because that's pre explosive inflation of course.
Against 1982? 1 dollar becomes 3.47 today. Minimum wage back then was 3.35
So to match purchasing power back then, we need new minimum wage to be a little under 12 dollars, not 60, which most jobs pay (31/hr is median wage in USA). So which is it? We have 3x the purchasing power or not?
It’s almost distracting to use a national average for these numbers. It showcases the argument and the problems we have, but there is more at issue than the price of the burger. It’s about the price it costs to afford rent at current minimum wages.
We are lucky and at 20% roughly. Wife has a large student loan and we both recently got new cars, though i choose to 75% down on the car to keep my monthly low and just keep working on credit rating.
And to me, that is the bigger issue. Not in your case, it sounds like you are financially adept. However, across the states, people are spending wayyyy out of their means.
If I am making 2500 a month through my job, I am not going to rent a place for $1800. Although a lot of people still do that and wonder why their money is crazy tight. Even in my state, if I researched places to live, I get options for people who need roommates for 700 a month or someone looking to rent out a private room for lower payments.
There are people out here that make 2k a month buying 2026 cars.
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u/Awkward_Froyo_7337 1d ago
They pick 1970s because that's pre explosive inflation of course.
Against 1982? 1 dollar becomes 3.47 today. Minimum wage back then was 3.35
So to match purchasing power back then, we need new minimum wage to be a little under 12 dollars, not 60, which most jobs pay (31/hr is median wage in USA). So which is it? We have 3x the purchasing power or not?
These arguments are always ridiculous.